• Permanent Full Time role based in Pyrmont, offering flexibility and hybrid home/office working
• Work in a high impact and key new role within our growing Australian Programs team
• Join a passionate and values-based organisation working for the rights of every child

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. In Australia, UNICEF Australia works with government and advocate bodies to defend children’s rights and support international development programs. UNICEF Australia is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

The Role

As the Child and Youth Engagement Manager at UNICEF Australia (UA), you will report to the Head of Policy, Advocacy and Government Engagement and play a pivotal role in helping achieve results for children and young people. You will support UA’s child and youth engagement strategy and grow and diversify our existing youth engagement programs. You will create opportunities for Australian children to express their views and shape the world and use evidence based advocacy to work in the best interests of children and young people. You will work closely with the wider Australian Programs team and other UA teams in deepening engagement with key policy makers and young people, building on the message that UA is an effective advocate for Australian children and young people. If you are adaptable, an excellent communicator and influencer, can take initiative and have a passion for children’s rights, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the successful development and implement UA’s child and youth engagement strategy, with priority on focus areas of mental health and wellbeing and climate change
• Drive child and youth engagement and participation through collaboration with key external stakeholders with similar goals and direct engagement with children in communities
• Deliver, grow and diversify UA’s existing youth engagement programs, such as the Young Ambassador Program, then monitor and evaluate these programs to ensure effectiveness
• Provide training and skills development to young people involved in UA engagement programs and work with partners to ensure disadvantaged adolescents can access similar support
• Generate key data from our work with young people, and collate and analyse it to inform evidence based decisions on policy, programs and budget decisions.
• Create opportunities for diverse groups of young people to express their views by coordinating and delivering direct consultations with children and young people and engaging the Australian public in support of young people
• Facilitate connecting children and young people with policy makers and advocate for them and their best interests during government engagements

Selection Criteria

1. Degree in relevant field or equivalent experience, preferably at a Masters level
2. Demonstrated experience working in a policy environment, preferably with a human rights focus
3. Proven ability to influence policy, practice, legislation and budgets on key areas of concern for children and young people
4. Demonstrated knowledge and applied experience with models of child participation and skills in communicating effectively with children and young people
5. Experience coordinating and delivering consultations with children and young people
6. Demonstrated experience in project management, including monitoring and evaluation, and strong organisational skills
7. Demonstrated experience providing mentoring, training or support to young people
8. Demonstrated ability to effectively build and manage relationships with partner organisations, government stakeholders and service providers.
9. High level written and spoken communication skills

Benefits

• Sector leading salary packaging and a competitive salary commensurate with the NFP sector
• A flexible work environment with balance between home and office work, which prioritises work outcome and not where you do your work
• A positive and values-driven work culture with ongoing social events
• A Wellbeing package which includes access to meditation, yoga, EAP and a Birthday day off
• Commitment to our child-first philosophy with 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all parents, and additional leave provided for expecting mothers
• The opportunity to support a global impactful cause and make a difference for every child

For further information on this position, please be in touch with our HR team at [email protected], using the subject line: Child and Youth Engagement Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs.

To be eligible for employment with UNICEF Australia you must be legally entitled to work in Australia and have satisfactory background checks prior to employment, such as mandatory police check and working with children check.