UNICEF Recruits For 2nd Batch – Adolescents & Youth Advisory Group, Healthy Cities For Adolescents

1. Background

The Healthy Cities for Adolescents (HCA) Project, Phase 2, is an initiative aimed at promoting the health and well-being of adolescents in Da Nang. Building upon the success of Phase 1 (2021-2022), the project continues developing innovative strategies and interventions to address the unique challenges faced by adolescents aged 12 to 19 in Da Nang. To ensure that the project remains relevant, inclusive, and representative of the needs of the adolescents and youths, it is essential to establish a dedicated Adolescent and Youth Advisory Group (AYAG) that will actively participate in decision-making processes and contribute valuable insights throughout the project’s implementation. The 1st AYAG batch’s mandated for the period from September 2023 to December 2024. HCA is calling for application for the 2nd batch to ensure fresh perspectives.

2. Objective

The Adolescent and Youth Advisory Group is an essential component of the Healthy Cities forAdolescents Project – Phase 2 consortium governance. The main purpose of the AYAG is to provide a platform for adolescents and youth from Da Nang to actively engage with the project, contribute their perspectives, and shape its development and implementation. The AYAG will foster meaningful youth participation, enabling young people to take ownership of the project and empower them  to lead positive changes in their communities.

3. Members

The AYAG shall consist of 7 members, carefully selected to ensure diversity in terms of age, gender, socio-economic backgrounds, and educational experiences. The selection process will aim to encompass a broad representation of adolescents and youth residing and studying in Da Nang.

4. Criteria

To be eligible for membership in the Adolescent and Youth Advisory Group, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Age: Must be between 10 to 19 years old.
• Residency: Should be living in Da Nang.
• Language Skills: Strong communication skills in Vietnamese (proficiency in English is preferable but not mandatory).
• Availability: Commit to attending project meetings at least 3 times a year.
• Attributes: Should demonstrate responsibility and creativity in the project activities.
• Candidates with experience from Da Nang Children’s Councils at all levels and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged.

5. Terms and duration

The Youth Advisory Group’s duration will span 14 months, commencing from January 2025 and concluding in February 2026.

6. Responsibilities of members:

Members of the Adolescent and Youth Advisory Group will have the following key responsibilities:

• Represent adolescents and youth in Da Nang to raise voice on issues related to children and adolescents, contributing to the successful implementation of the HCA project.
• Project Planning and Review: Participate in meetings with the project’s steering committee and actively contribute ideas and insights to the planning and development of project activities to ensure their relevance and effectiveness for adolescents and youth in Da Nang.
• Engagement with Donor and thematic focus group discussion (FGD): Participate in meetings with the donor and thematic FGD to represent the perspectives and interests of the youth (in need).
• Global HCA Program Events: Attend yearly global HCA program events either in-person or virtually, to raise voices of adolescents and youth.
• Participation in Project Activities: Actively participate in relevant project activities, workshops, and initiatives designed to address the health and well-being of adolescents in Da Nang.
• Play roles as connectors and ambassadors to disseminate project interventions, communication materials and information to adolescent and youth networks.

7. Benefits for Members

Members of the AYAG will receive the following benefits:

❖ Empowerment: The opportunity to actively influence decision-making processes and contribute to meaningful change within the community.

❖ Skill Development: Enhance leadership, communication, and teamwork skills through participation in various activities and engagements.

❖ Networking: Connect and collaborate with like-minded individuals, UNICEF, other youth-led groups.

❖ Learning: participate in global Healthy Cities for Adolescents related events and webinars (virtual or in person) for learning exchange

❖ Recognition: Acknowledgment of their contribution through certificates and recognition by UNICEF Viet Nam.

❖ Personal Growth: A chance to broaden their understanding of adolescent-related issues and gain valuable experiences for personal growth.

8. Selection of members

The process of selecting members for the Adolescent and Youth Advisory Group 2nd batch will be conducted through a thorough and transparent screening application. An application form will be created using Google Forms to collect essential information from interested candidates. The outreach for applications will be targeted towards youth-led groups and children’s councils in Da Nang to ensure a diverse and inclusive pool of applicants.