Adolescent Programme Coordinator

** Deadline to apply is 21 July 2026 **

Description of assignment title

Adolescent Programme Coordinator

Host entity

UNICEF Malaysia

Modality

Onsite

Type

National

Volunteer category

Specialist

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Assignment country

Malaysia

Duty stations

Kuala Lumpur

Work location

On UN premises

Duration

12 months (with possibility of extension)

Task description

Under the general supervision of the Adolescent Development and Participation (ADAP) Officer, the UNV Adolescent Programme Coordinator will support the planning, coordination, delivery and documentation of programmes with and for young people. The role will contribute across four areas: 1. Young people’s participation, civic engagement and advocacy; 2. Capacity building on meaningful participation; 3. Knowledge management and documentation; and 4. Broader ADAP programme support. The main responsibilities are outlined below:

1. Young people’s participation, civic engagement and advocacy

• Coordinate and support initiatives that strengthen young people’s participation, civic engagement and advocacy, including UNICEF’s Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG), World Children’s Day and engagement with children’s councils and related platforms on joint child rights and advocacy initiatives;

• Engage with UNICEF programme sections to identify and coordinate safe, inclusive and meaningful opportunities for young people to contribute to programme initiatives and advocacy;

• Liaise with young people’s networks, children and youth councils, civil society organizations, human rights bodies and other partners to support coordinated engagement and collaboration;

• Support the coordination of consultations, participatory group discussions, roundtables and panel discussions, ensuring that young people’s participation is safe, ethical, inclusive and meaningful.

2. Capacity building on meaningful participation

• Support the planning, design and delivery of skills-building workshops and interactive sessions for young people, partners and UNICEF colleagues;

• Contribute to capacity-building activities on meaningful participation principles, safeguarding and practical approaches for engaging young people safely and effectively;

• Coordinate with national and subnational partners, young people’s networks, civil society organizations and private sector actors to support capacity-building initiatives.

3. Knowledge management, documentation and learning

• Support the monitoring, drafting and consolidation of programme results to inform periodic reporting, learning and knowledge-sharing;

• Document and amplify young people-led impact by curating stories, supporting multimedia assets, contributing to dissemination plans and identifying appropriate communication channels;

• Maintain data management tools and tracking systems to monitor outreach, engagement and participation of young people;

• Contribute to a resource repository of guidance, tools and materials on adolescent development, safeguarding and meaningful participation for internal and external stakeholders;

• Monitor and curate relevant current affairs, evidence, statistics and data on young people to support programme planning, advocacy and reporting.

4. Broader ADAP programme support

• Provide coordination support for key child rights and other relevant advocacy opportunities;

• Provide additional coordination, administrative and programme support as required for the ADAP programme and country programme delivery. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take an 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;

• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.

• 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.

Results/Expected outputs:

As an active UNICEF Malaysia ADAP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client–friendly and high–quality support rendered to the team and its beneficiaries in the performance of her/his/their functions, including:

• Strategic growth and involvement of our digital and traditional media audience,

• Lessons learned and best practices are shared,

• The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counter-parts, including Implementing Partners (IPs),

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment

• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Relevant experience

3 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Malay, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in Bachelor’s degree in political or social science, international development, human rights, social anthropology or related field.

Skills and experience

Area of Expertise

• At least 3 years of work experience at the national or international level, in implementing

development programmes at the community, national and/or international level;

• Experience of working in civil society, government, UN or other international development organizations is an asset;

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;

• Experience in developing young people’s friendly assets (visual, written, multimedia etc.);

• Child safeguarding experience is an asset.

• Excellent oral and written skills;

• Accuracy and professionalism in programme management and reporting;

• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;

• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; capacity to function effectively in a multicultural team of international and national staff;

• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in a variety of MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;

• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimal oversight; ability to work with tight deadlines;

• Sound security awareness;

• Have affinity along with or interest in children and youth development and participation, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System;

• Skills in photography/videography will beneficial.