Adolescent Development Specialist (U-Report) 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

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.