General
Description of assignment title: Programme Officer for Child Marriage
Assignment country: Mozambique
Expected start date: 10/06/2025
Sustainable Development Goal: 5. Gender equality
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: UNFPA
Type: Onsite
Duration: 12 months
(with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Nampula
Details
Mission and objectives
Our Mandate
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the UN’s reproductive health agency dealing with population issues and it is responsible for expanding the possibilities for women and young people to lead a healthy sexual and reproductive life. UNFPA works to accelerate universal access to sexual and reproductive health, including voluntary family planning and safe motherhood; and seeks the realization of rights and opportunities for young people.
UNFPA is present in more than 150 countries, improving people’s lives as a catalyst for action and advocacy of their issues. Acting through alliances and partnerships with governments, other UN agencies, civil society and the private sector, UNFPA makes a positive difference for billions of people, especially those most in need.
UNFPA also helps countries use population data to anticipate future challenges; offers technical assistance that strengthens and empowers its partners; supports policy formulation and national capacity-building, ensuring that reproductive health and the rights of women and young people remain central issues in the development agenda.
UNFPA is making progress – fewer women are dying during childbirth, more unwanted pregnancies are being avoided, and younger women are having their opportunities expanded. But it is necessary to expand these efforts so that we can reach a healthy and fair world.
UNFPA – Creating a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
Context
Assignment context: UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2026), focuses on three transformative results: I) to end preventable maternal deaths; II) end unmet need for family planning; and III) end gender-based violence and harmful practices. In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
This UNV post and assignment is part of the UNFPA Country Programme (2022-2026) objective to support the implementation and coordination at the provincial and district level of the Global Programme to End Child Marriage (GPECM) Phase III (2024-2030).
Task description
Task description: Under close guidance from the primary and secondary supervisors, coordinate the implementation of GPECM activities at the provincial level. This includes working closely with UNFPA and UNICEF implementing partners to support the Global Programme to End Child Marriage (GPECM), maintaining regular communication, organizing joint coordination meetings (and bilateral meetings when needed), preparing meeting minutes, and ensuring strong linkages between partners and UNFPA offices at both provincial and central levels.
● Provide support for the implementation and reporting of GPECM activities. In coordination with the UNFPA Gender and Youth Team (at both provincial and Maputo levels), monitor activities such as community dialogues, economic empowerment initiatives, and mentorship programmes. Strengthen connections with related programmes like Rapariga Biz (RB) and Safeguard Young People (SYP) to enhance coordination and integration.
● Maintain regular and close collaboration with CECAP members (civil society organizations working on child marriage) at the provincial level.
● Support UNFPA’s internal efforts to align and integrate child marriage and adolescent empowerment initiatives.
● Participate in coordination meetings related to GPECM and assist in organizing field visits and missions from Maputo and regional offices to the province.
● Promote active participation of implementing partners in multisectoral coordination platforms such as GTCOV, NUMCOV, PGB, and reference group meetings at both provincial and district levels.
● In collaboration with UNFPA communication experts, collect and document human interest stories and testimonials from programme beneficiaries involved in community dialogues, male mentorship, and economic empowerment activities.
● Under the guidance of supervisors, engage in relevant learning opportunities and familiarize yourself with key research and policy documents related to child marriage (CM), violence against children (VAC), and gender-based violence (GBV).
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: ●Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
●Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
●Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
●Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
●Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
●Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Portuguese, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor’s degree in social science, social work, psychology, sociology or another relevant technical field.
Competencies and values
Accountability
Adaptability and flexibility
Creativity
Judgement and decision-making
Planning and organizing
Professionalism
Self-management
Skills and experience
Knowledge and experience in implementing national legislation related to children and youth in Mozambique is required. This includes strong understanding of: – Adolescent and Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH)
– Violence Against Children (VAC)
– Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
– Child marriage and other harmful practices
● Experience in providing technical support for service delivery to government institutions and/or civil society organizations (CSOs), or working with the United Nations or other international development organizations is considered an asset;
● Excellent oral and written communication skills, including strong abilities in drafting, writing, and reporting;
● High level of accuracy and professionalism in preparing and editing documents;
● Strong interpersonal skills, with cultural and social sensitivity. Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with diverse partners such as grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at various levels. Familiarity with communication for development tools and approaches is desirable;
● Ability to work effectively and professionally in challenging environments, and within multicultural teams composed of both international and national personnel;
● Solid computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.), email and internet use. Familiarity with database management and office technology is also required;
● Self-motivation and independence, with the ability to work under minimal supervision and meet tight deadlines;
● Strong awareness of security protocols;
● Personal interest or commitment to sexual and reproductive health, youth empowerment, gender equality, volunteerism as a tool for sustainable development, and the values of the UN System.
Area(s) of expertise
Communication, Community development, Social work
Driving license
–
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Nampula city. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
Apply for this job: https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1784888021262829
