General
Description of assignment title
Inclusive Learning Environment Officer
Assignment country
Cameroon
Duty stations
Yaounde
Work location
On UN premises
Expected start date
28/06/2026
Duration
12 months
(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances
Sustainable Development Goal
4. Quality education
Host entity
UNICEF
Modality
Onsite
Type
National
Volunteer category
Specialist UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule
Full-time
Number of Assignments
1
Details
Mission and objectives
L’UNICEF est une agence humanitaire internationale pour les enfants créée par la chart des Nations Unies en 1946. L’organiisation est présente dans plus de 192 pays et travail dans le domaine de la santé, de l’éducation, de l’eau et de l’assainissement, de la protection de l’enfance, du VIH et du Sida, de la nutrition, de la politique et de la protection sociale. L’UNICEF opère a la fois dans les contextes humanitaire et de development en répondant aux besoins des enfants et des femmes en particulier des filles et des plus vulnérables. La présence de l’UNICEF au Cameroun remonte à 1975. L’organisation intervient dans dans les domaines de l’éducation, de l’eau et de l’assainissement, de la protection de l’enfance, du VIH et du Sida. Tandi que ses efforts en amont se concentrent sur le plaidoyer et le lobbying pour des conditions budgétaires favorables aux enfants et aux femmes et a la formulation de politiques pour la promotion de leur croissance et de leur developement . Sur le plan opérationnel UNICEF Cameroun se concentre sur le renforcement des capacité des partie prenantes la prestation de service et la création de partenariats pour l’amélioration des aux enfants et aux femmes. Le Programme Protection de l’Enfant vise globalement a garantir que les enfants en particulier les filles adolescentes dan sles zones vulnérables sont mieux protégés contre la violence, l’exploitation et les pratiques néfastes y compris dans le contexte d’urgence humanitaire. Le programme contribue ainsi au renforcement des systèmes gouvernementaux et communautaires de protection de l’enfance, afin d’identifier et de combattre plus efficacement les violations des droits de l’enfant. Une attention particulière est portée a l’enregistrement. des naissances la préventions et la réponses aux violences physiques et sexuelles ainsi qu’a l’élimination du mariage des enfants en s’apppuyant sur les évidneces.
Context
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF supports governments and partners to ensure that every child survives, learns, is protected, and can fulfill their potential. In Cameroon, UNICEF supports the Government in strengthening equitable access to quality education and protective learning environments for children and adolescents, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized populations affected by poverty, displacement, emergencies, exclusion, and protection risks. As part of Program Output 4, UNICEF Cameroon is implementing the “I Am Music” initiative to strengthen protective and inclusive learning environments for children and adolescents in and outside schools. Inspired by the El Sistema methodology, the programme uses music and arts education as a tool to promote psychosocial well-being, social cohesion, inclusion, participation, and child development. The initiative particularly targets vulnerable and marginalized children, including out-of-school children, children with disabilities, internally displaced and refugee children, and teenage mothers, while promoting safe learning environments and child protection standards. UNICEF seeks to strengthen the implementation and scale-up of the initiative nationwide while ensuring strong integration of child safeguarding measures, including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), child rights, and inclusive education principles. Within this framework, UNICEF seeks to recruit a National UN Volunteer to support programme coordination, implementation, monitoring, training, and reporting related to the “I Am Music” initiative..
Task description
Under the supervision of the Education Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following responsibilities: Programme Coordination and Implementation • Coordinate and support the implementation and scale-up of the “I Am Music” programme across targeted intervention areas. • Ensure alignment of programme activities with the strategic priorities and objectives of the Education Section. • Support coordination with implementing partners, schools, youth centres, government counterparts, and community stakeholders. • Monitor the implementation of activities in existing and newly established music nuclei and learning spaces. Inclusion and Protective Learning Environments • Promote the inclusion and participation of vulnerable and marginalized children, including out-of-school children, children with disabilities, internally displaced and refugee children, and teenage mothers. • Support activities aimed at strengthening safe, inclusive, and protective learning environments for children and adolescents. • Contribute to the integration of child protection, psychosocial support, gender-sensitive approaches, and inclusion within programme activities. • Support awareness and sensitization activities promoting child rights and safeguarding principles. Capacity Building and PSEA • Support the organization and facilitation of training sessions for teachers, facilitators, and youth centre staff on: o Child Rights o Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) o El Sistema-inspired methodologies o Music pedagogy o Inclusive and protective learning approaches • Support dissemination and adherence to UNICEF safeguarding and PSEA standards among partners and programme stakeholders. • Contribute to strengthening accountability and safe reporting mechanisms within programme implementation. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting • Conduct regular monitoring visits to assess programme implementation, identify challenges, and support quality assurance. • Support data collection, analysis, and reporting related to programme activities and results. • Contribute to the preparation of progress reports, briefing notes, presentations, success stories, and lessons learned. • Support documentation of innovative practices and programme achievements. Partnerships and Community Engagement • Support engagement with communities, youth networks, and local leaders to strengthen programme ownership and participation. • Participate in coordination meetings, workshops, and technical discussions related to education and child protection. • Contribute to strengthening collaboration with government counterparts and implementing partners. • Perform any other related tasks assigned by the supervisor in support of the Education Programme. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Results/Expected Outputs: • Effective implementation and coordination of the “I Am Music” initiative. • Strengthened protective and inclusive learning environments for vulnerable children and adolescents. • Improved integration of child safeguarding and PSEA principles within programme activities. • Strengthening capacity of facilitators, teachers, and partners involved in programme implementation. • Improved monitoring, reporting, accountability, and documentation of programme results.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
French, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Working knowledge, Required
Required education level
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Sciences, Psychology, Arts Education, International Development, Project Management, or related fields.
Competencies and values
☒ Administration ☒ Arts and design ☒ Communication ☒ Community development ☒ Development programmes ☒ Education ☒ Social work Working knowledge of English is required. Competencies and values: (If competency‑based interviews are used, list only those competencies that are directly relevant to the assignment, using the host entity’s competency framework where applicable. The list below is only indicative.) Core Values • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Sustainability Core Competencies (For Staff with Supervisory Responsibilities) * Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2) Works Collaboratively with others (2) Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2) Innovates and Embraces Change (2) Thinks and Acts Strategically (2) Drive to achieve impactful results (2) Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
Skills and experience
• Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to 3 years) in music, partner management, coordination, protective learning environment and PSEA • Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others; • Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills; • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team; • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences; • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions; • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; • Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Kobo toolbox, canvas, social media, and others).
Area(s) of expertise
Education, Development programmes
Driving license
–
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
Cameroon is a unique country It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.
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.
Reasonable accommodation
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.
Scam warning
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