Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) Associate

Organizational Context

UNICEF works to protect the rights of children and adolescents, focusing on the most vulnerable in Türkiye, a country with over 13 million young people. The UNICEF Türkiye ADAP Section collaborates with government, private sector, civil society, and youth to strengthen systems, enabling adolescents, including refugees, to access opportunities for personal development, participation, and civic engagement. This approach emphasizes co-creation with young people, ensuring inclusive and relevant solutions. This UNV role contributes to meaningful change in a dynamic, collaborative, and mission-driven environment.

Job Purpose

The International UN Volunteer will support UNICEF's adolescent and youth development work in Türkiye, a country home to more than 13 million young people. The assignment aims to equip young people with essential skills and provide meaningful opportunities for participation and civic engagement, ensuring a healthy, confident, and successful transition into adulthood. Investing in adolescents and young people not only strengthens their individual well-being and future prospects but also contributes to Türkiye’s long-term social and economic development. Within this context, the UNICEF Türkiye Country Office Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) Section implements programmes that strengthen systems, enabling more adolescents and young people, including refugees, to access opportunities for personal development, participation, and civic engagement. Central to this approach is collaboration and co-creation with young people, ensuring that solutions are inclusive and relevant. This UNV role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful change for adolescents and young people while working in a dynamic, collaborative, and mission-driven environment.

Responsibilities

The UN Volunteer, part of the Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) Section at UNICEF Türkiye, will support initiatives that strengthen systems enabling adolescents and young people, including refugees, to access opportunities for personal development, participation, and civic engagement. Key duties include: • Support coordination with key partners such as government counterparts, civil society organizations, youth platforms, private sector actors, and UN agencies. • Contribute to knowledge management initiatives, including documenting good practices, lessons learned, and youth-led approaches. • Assist with internal and external reporting, presentations, and communication materials for the ADAP Section. • Support the implementation of volunteerism initiatives for adolescents and young people, in collaboration with partners and youth groups. • Provide support to capacity-building initiatives for youth councils, networks, and platforms at national and local levels. • Support youth-led initiatives and campaigns on key thematic priorities like climate change, environmental sustainability, and social innovation. • Assist in organizing key events, including youth-themed events during COP31. • Aid in the data management of ADAP activity reporting, in collaboration with key partner institutions.

Work Experience

The position requires at least one month of relevant experience. Demonstrated interest or experience (up to 3 years) in child rights frameworks and global/national youth agendas is essential. Experience working with youth-led organizations, civil society, or development partners is an asset. Additionally, experience supporting or engaging in youth-led initiatives related to climate change, environmental sustainability, social cohesion, or social innovation is desirable.

Skills

Required skills include strong coordination, communication, and stakeholder engagement. The ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners, including adolescents and young people, is crucial. Excellent writing, documentation, visualization, and analytical skills are necessary. Data management and basic data analysis skills are considered an asset. Commitment to youth participation, volunteerism, equity, inclusion, and UNICEF’s values and principles is expected. Core competencies include Accountability, Adaptability, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Professionalism, and Teamwork.

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