Youth and engagement advisor – Voluntary Service Overseas

VSO is the world’s leading international development charity that works through volunteers to create a fair world for everyone. At VSO we pride ourselves on doing development differently. We fight poverty not by sending aid, but by working through volunteers and partners to create long-lasting change in some of the world’s poorest regions. We bring key stakeholders together to co-ordinate collective action, from local organisations to national governments. Our programmes in Africa and Asia focus on health, education and livelihoods, with an increasing emphasis on resilience, peace building, social accountability, gender and social inclusion. We’re not about delivering quick fixes, but instead we focus on long-lasting, sustainable change that will improve the lives of generations to come.

Working at project location – In this role, you will provide on-site support in the project location and/or VSO office, (full-time unless otherwise specified) for a set period of time.

The volunteer will support in project implementation with an aim to enhancing meaningful youth engagement for improved accountability, advocacy and influence

Key responsibilities in this role will be to support our teams in the following areas:
•Provide technical advice to the project on meaningful youth engagement and participation to effectively advocate for inclusive SRHR services & policies.
• Develop and implement a capacity development plan for youths and adolescents targeted within the scope of the project.
• Provide mentoring and coaching support on youth networks & council formation/strengthening to enhance youth leadership and participation within the SRHR agenda.
• Strengthen the capacity of relevant stakeholders and identified CSOs to implement MYP approaches, tools and strategies.
•Apply youth-led advocacy and policy engagement approaches to improve accountability, inclusiveness & enhance youth-led advocacy for effective SRHR.
• Promote the participation and meaningful engagement of vulnerable youth in the design, development and review of policies.
• work closely with other programme consortium members to promote what works, to capture learning and best practices around meaningful youth engagement.
• Closely work with the respective line ministries, and other government and non-government structures, and undertake operational research programs on marginalized youth and their access towards quality SRHR services.
• Monitor, track and report progress against Youth engagement and participation as assigned by programme team.

Essential criteria (must have to be able to carry out the role successfully)
• Bachelor’s degree in development, social Sciences, health, Human Rights or related field required field. Relevant Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience with sectoral youth development strategies & policies, particularly around Adolescents & Youth Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights.
• Experience implementing youth engagement capacity building approaches, and youth focused trainings.
• Strong understanding of youth network formation, different youth platforms at regional/global levels focused on SRHR agenda.
• Strong understanding of Social Accountability, policy engagement & advocacy approaches.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring youth, youth-led CSOs, on meaningful youth engagement & participation.

Desirable Criteria: (skills that could be an advantage in the role)
• Willingness to work in a difficult environment where basic amenities (electricity, internet etc.) is a challenge.
• Experience in working with people from diverse backgrounds & vulnerabilities
• Good communication and report writing skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to maintain good working relationships
• Curiosity and desire to learn and share knowledge.
• Fluency in written and verbal English
• Persons with their own lived experience of marginalization and discrimination in SRHR due to their multiple identities are encouraged to apply.

Competencies and Behaviour

At VSO we believe progress is only possible by working together. Whether you want to join us as an employee, or as a volunteer working in your own country, overseas or online, our selection process includes an assessment based on these core competencies:

• Ability to be open minded and respectful
• Ability to be resilient and adaptive to new situations
• Ability to facilitate positive change and build sustainable working relationships
• Ability to seek and share knowledge

Equal Opportunities
VSO promotes equal opportunities and values a diverse workforce.

Allowance

As a VSO volunteer, you will be sharing your skills with local communities on a full time basis. VSO will cover your travel, vaccinations, accommodation, and medical insurance costs, along with a local living allowance which will be paid in local currency. This allowance meets reasonable living expenses in country, but will not be enough to send money home. You will also receive some financial support to contribute to your on-going expenses at home.

Accommodation

VSO works with some of the poorest communities in the world which means accommodation varies and will be basic.

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