Youth Empowerment Specialist - P4  

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a 'leave no one behind' approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Job Purpose and Organizational Context:

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional, and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. Within this context, UNDP invests in a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. 

The Youth Empowerment Specialist is based in the Regional Service Centre for Africa and reports to the Governance and Peacebuilding Coordinator for Africa. The incumbent is part of the broader global BPPS Governance team and has a secondary reporting line to the Global BPPS Youth Specialist in New York. The incumbent will provide intellectual and strategic leadership as well as technical guidance on youth issues for UNDP in the region, and represent UNDP in the wider governance and youth communities of practice, including with UN system, bilateral partners, external experts, etc.  

Position Purpose:

In collaboration with other Advisors and Specialists in the Regional Hub, HQ, Country Offices, Global Policy Centers, and rosters of external advisors. The incumbent is responsible for leading the provision of technical expertise and policy and programme advisory services to Country Offices and supporting the implementation of the regional program as well as the UNDP Renewed Governance and Peacebuilding Framework for Africa (2022-2025) and, where appropriate, with key UN and external partners in the region. The incumbent closely collaborates with the Global BPPS Youth Specialist to respond to relevant corporate requests, contribute to the broader coherence of the UNDP youth and governance agendas and ensure visibility of African youth activities. The incumbent responds to relevant requests from Country Offices, the Regional Service Centre Director, and collaborates with other corporate support providers, including other parts of the Governance Team,  the SDG Integration and Climate teams, as well as relevant teams in the Crisis Bureau. Working to ensure quality and coherent policy and programme advisory services within the region, as well as alignment with the Strategic Plan, the Youth Empowerment Specialist advances the credibility and recognition of UNDP's capabilities in this knowledge domain and associated community of practice(s). 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Substantive delivery of technical assistance, policy development and programme support

• Provide technical support for policy advisory and programming services primarily to COs within the region, that respond to country office needs, including through the provision of capacity development and backstopping to COs and UNCTs; 
• Work with the Regional Bureau's Country Advisors and the HQ youth empowerment specialist to ensure relevant, timely and multi-disciplinary response to Country needs for policy services; 
• Collaborate substantively with COs and Regional Programmes to achieve regional/CO strategic goals and plans by supporting relevant regional initiatives and promoting synergies with the regional programmes; 
• Provide technical support to COs in project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and results reporting in line with RBM guidelines, and support quality assurance, risk management and due diligence processes;
• Provide technical support to COs in the development and implementation of projects funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund.
• Ensure risks are monitored across the portfolio of advisory engagements; 
• Contribute to developing the capacity of national counterparts in support of achieving the Strategic Plan and other internationally agreed development goals as related to the youth and governance knowledge domains;
• Advise on resource mobilization and coordinate approvals, as required. 

Substantive development of tools and resources, from across UNDP's network of expertise

• Provide technical expertise in identifying tools, developing methodologies and producing knowledge management products linked to youth empowerment and the UN Strategy on Youth (Youth2030);
• Provide technical expertise on the content development for global/regional/CO knowledge products through the analysis of data, case evidence, and research findings in Africa, in accordance with corporate standards; 
• Contribute to the identification and scoping of technical issues warranting collaboration with HQ and regional teams to research, develop and share knowledge-based tools, such as policy positions/practice notes/concept papers and other research-based products to influence/advance policy dialogue in the knowledge domain and present UNDP's knowledge assets and capabilities at global and regional forums; 
• Work closely with policy teams in HQ to advance research, testing and roll-out of newly commissioned policy/business development initiatives, by providing regional perspectives/specificities as well as experience-based insights on what is of most practical value for national counterparts and regional leaders; 
• Design and deliver training on programming tools including by developing training packs for COs to facilitate innovation learning, foster and encourage policy innovation and continuous improvement to enhance programme delivery.

Knowledge management and community of practice networking

• Contribute to the continuous analysis, documentation, codification of regional results/lessons learned;
• Review regional data, case evidence and research findings to distill pivotal lessons for UNDP globally; 
• Advocate and enable South-South facilitation of exchanges and experiences sharing where valuable;
• Coordinate the UNDP Youth Community of practice in Africa, and promote knowledge sharing and skills building across Country Offices, on youth empowerment and related issues;
• Support the capacity development of UNDP staff in application of tools and practices; 
• Develop and strengthen linkages within the youth community of practice, both inside and outside of the UN system, including by collaborating and delivering training with and for youth organisations, movements and networks.

Advocacy and partner engagement for effective policy positioning in the region

• Maintain a database of relevant stakeholders in the region;
• Advocate the application of ground-breaking youth empowerment approaches, especially by promoting youth empowerment as an integrated approach and an accelerator to achieving the SDGs, and with young women and men at the center of the peace and security agenda, in various regional and country fora with a view to deepen related political commitment and related reforms; 
• Contribute actively to inter-agency engagement and joint planning on youth empowerment.
• Represent UNDP in the region on partner engagements and interagency coordination in youth-specific policy areas; 
• Provide technical advice on relationship management of regional partners and resource mobilization in line with BPPS priorities and corporate guidelines; 
• Provide technical advice on mobilizing and fostering external partnerships behind regional initiatives; 
• Manage the building of strategic alliances and partnerships, especially with key think tanks and non-governmental organizations, in particular with youth-led entities; 
• Ensure UNDP/BPPS Representation at inter-agency meetings, academic conferences, donor consultations and other events.

Competencies:

Core Competencies CoreBehaviouralCompetencies.pdf (undp.org)

Achieve Results:

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact    

Think Innovatively:

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems  

Learn Continuously:

• Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination:

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results    

Engage and Partner:

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration  

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

2030 Agenda: Peace: Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions

• Youth, Peace and Security

2030 Agenda: Peace: Governance

• Inclusion and Participation
• Youth socio-economic empowerment
• Youth leadership and participation

Business Development: Integration within the UN

• Ability to identity and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations

Business Development: Knowledge  Facilitation

• Ability to identity and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations

Business Management: Partnerships Management

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.  

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A Master's degree in international development, law, international affairs, business administration, development economics, or other relevant fields, OR 
• A first-level university degree (i.e. Bachelor's or equivalent) in the said fields with two additional years of relevant work experience in lieu of the Master's degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years (with Master's degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor's degree or first-level university) of relevant experience in either public sector (national or multilateral, including UN), or private (academia, non-governmental sector, corporate), with increasing level of responsibility.
• Proven track record and technical/advisory experience in the UN System related to youth empowerment and governance required.
• Proven experience participating in inter-agency activities on youth empowerment or related areas is required.
• Excellent negotiating and communication skills and ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners (public, private, academic, civil society, youth organizations, movements and networks, business community leaders) is an asset.
• A proven track record of management and resource mobilization skills is an asset.
• Experience in youth empowerment/governance and digitalization is an asset.
• Working experience in Africa is an asset.

Language:

• English proficiency required.
• French highly desirable

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) 

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 
 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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