Adolescent Development Specialist (U-Report), NO-3 at UNICEF

How can you make a difference? 

• Under the supervision of the Chief of Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships, the Adolescent Development Specialist (U-Report) will support the scaling up of the U-Report programme including U-Report communities, and make it meaningfully used for programming for children by UNICEF, Government, and implementing partners.
• The incumbent will work with programme sections to develop and deploy demand-driven U-Report use cases that address development challenges and accelerate results for children.
• The incumbent will be tasked to support integrating social innovation approaches into traditional UNICEF programming, especially for adolescents and young people.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Managing and maintaining the U-Report digital platform (RapidPro), ensuring its smooth operation and technical integrity.
• Collaborating with program sections to design and deploy regular U-Report polls and other digital content.
• Analyzing incoming messages, feedback, and data to assess progress, identify trends, and inform decision-making.
• Promoting U-Report as UNICEF's flagship program for advocacy, leveraging digital channels to amplify its impact.
• Supporting youth mobilization by developing and implementing campaigns to engage young people, increasing U-Report participation, and fostering a sense of community.
• Driving digital engagement by creating and curating content, moderating online discussions, and encouraging user-generated content by young people
• Building and maintaining U-Report communities, including community leaders and platform users, to ensure high engagement and reach.
• Supporting the Chief CAP in fostering partnerships with government counterparts, media outlets, and mobile telephone operators to expand U-Report's reach, influence, and impact.
• Assisting in proposal development, reporting, and other communication-related tasks for development, advocacy, adolescents, and youth.
• Managing U- U-Report Territory Officers

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Communication, Journalism, Digital Media, Information Technology, International Development, Adolescent Development, or a related field.
• A Bachelor’s degree with an additional two years of relevant work experience may be accepted.

Work Experience: 

• At least a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, at the national and international level working with children and marginalized youth in the global south, including on adolescent/youth/community engagement and innovation

Skills:

• Strong technical and digital background, with experience in managing digital platforms and social media.
• Ability to manage U-Report digital platforms, including RapidPro and other related tools.
• Proven understanding of how to engage young people through digital channels, including social media, SMS, and online communities.
• Excellent digital communication skills, including content creation, curation, and moderation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience in data analysis and reporting.
• Experience with digital campaign management, including strategy development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Excellent communications skills, verbal and written, with strong interpersonal, public speaking, presentation, and writing skills.
• Good computer skills with software proficiency in Windows, Microsoft Office Suit (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote)
• Knowledge of youth-related issues, trends, and behaviors, particularly in Africa, with familiarity with UNICEF's programming and goals.