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 Programme Specialist on Youth Empowerment and Civic Engagement is based in the Regional Hub and reports primarily to the Head of Governance – BRH and also to the Global BPPS Team Leader for youth in New York. He/she will provide intellectual and strategic leadership as well as technical guidance on youth and civic engagement issues for UNDP in the region, and represent UNDP in the wider youth and civic engagement communities of practice, including with UN system, bilateral partners, external experts, etc.
In collaboration with other Advisors and Specialists in the Regional Hub, HQ, Country Offices, Global Policy Centers, and rosters of external advisors, s/he is responsible for leading the provision of technical expertise and policy and programme advisory services to Country Offices, as well as, overseeing and supporting the implementation of the Regional Youth Project on Leadership, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, The Youth Co:Lab, and, where appropriate, with key UN and external partners in the region. S/he closely collaborates with the HQ youth specialist to respond to relevant corporate requests, contribute to the broader coherence of the UNDP youth agenda and ensure visibility of Asia-Pacific youth and civic engagement activities, and responds to relevant requests from Country Offices, the Regional Hub Manager, and collaborates with other corporate support providers, such as the SDG Integrator and Engagement teams. Working to ensure quality and coherent policy and programme advisory services within the region, as well as alignment with the Strategic Plan, the Programme Specialist on Youth Empowerment and Civic Engagement advances the credibility and recognition of UNDP’s capabilities in this knowledge domain and associated community of practice(s).
The Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP) concentrates its efforts on developing the region’s capacity to promote and accelerate action on its progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It implements the UNDP Strategic Plan in Asia and the Pacific and delivers on UNDP’s partnerships within the region and with development actors in the region. UNDP has corporately prioritized the implementation of SDG country support platforms as its main value offer in the new strategic plan. RBAP is actively taking ownership of this agenda and positioning its COs and regional support to achieve these corporate commitments. RBAP runs a regional project on Youth Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Youth Co:Lab, which has a Youth team of 8 staff/consultants in BRH and supports 25 COs with an additional 20 Youth Social Innovation Experts at the country level (UNVs/ICs).
The Program Specialist should also work in a very integrated way with various policy and programming teams including with SDG Integration, Regional Innovation Team, Livelihoods and Jobs, Governance, and Inclusive Growth.
Summary of Key Functions:
- Substantive delivery of technical assistance, policy development and programme support
- Substantive development of tools and resources, from across UNDP’s network of expertise
- Programme and Project development and delivery support
- Knowledge management and community of practice networking
- Advocacy and partner engagement for effective policy positioning in the region
Substantive delivery of technical assistance, policy development and programme support:
- Provide technical support for policy advisory and programming services primarily to Country Offices (COs) within the region, that respond to CO 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 team 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;
- 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 related to youth, civic engagement, economic empowerment, future of work, 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, Civic Engagement, Future of Work 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 Asia and the Pacific, 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 fora;
- Work closely with policy teams in HQ to advance research, testing and roll-out of newly commissioned policy/business development initiatives, by providing the regional perspective/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 development of training packs for COs to facilitate innovation learning, foster and encourage policy innovation and continuous improvement to enhance programme delivery.
Programme and Project development and delivery support:
- As the focal point for the UNDP Regional Youth team in Asia-Pacific, oversee and support the implementation of the Regional Youth Project and activities;
- Provide inputs, guidance and quality assurance of programme concept notes and documents at both regional and country level;
- Mobilize resources for existing and new country level and regional programmes;
- Coordinate the implementation of joint youth development initiatives at the regional and country levels on e.g. Youth Economic Empowerment and Future of Work with relevant UN entities, such as UNICEF (Generation Unlimited), ILO (Decent Jobs For Youth), UNV, UNCDF, UNESCO, ESCAP and others.
Knowledge management and community of practice networking:
- Contribute to the continuous analysis, documentation and 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;
- 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 with 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 Fourth Industrial Revolution and Future of Work.
- Represent UNDP in the region on partner engagements and interagency coordination in youth-specific and civic engagement related 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;
- Mobilize partnerships and resources to support the UNDP Youth Global Programme;
- Ensure UNDP/BPPS representation at inter-agency meetings, academic conferences, donor consultations and other events.
Core
Innovation
- Ability to make new and useful ideas work.
Leadership
- Ability to persuade others to follow.
People Management
- Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.
Communication
- Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.
Delivery
- Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.
Technical/Functional
Youth Engagement
- Knowledge of dynamics of a large youth population in the context of varied development settings and ability to translate development insights into specific youth policy and programme proposals.
Civic Engagement for Youth
- Ability to design and manage programmes, at scale, for young people to develop and engage in civil society in a meaningful way.
Livelihood Development for Young People
- Ability to design and manage programmes, at scale, for young people to develop skills for employment and wealth creation.
Sustainable Development Goals
- Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
Substantive Networking
- Ability to substantively engage and foster networks with academia, research institutions, and think tanks.
Knowledge Management
- Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.
Collaboration & Partnerships
- Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (Programmes/projects) or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support. Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNDP.
Management & Coordination
- Ability to manage and coordinate campaigns and people with inspiration. Believe in and promote diversity in the workplace and reshaping the workforce to meet need.
Education:
- Master's degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, International Relations, Business Administration, Development Economics, or other related fields.
Experience:
- A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in either public sectors (national or multilateral, including UN), private (academia, non-governmental sector, corporate), with increasing level of responsibility;
- Proven track record and technical/advisory experience in the UN System related to technical area of work;
- Proven experience participating in inter-agency activities on youth empowerment or related areas;
- 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);
- Proven track record of management and resource mobilization skills.
- Working experience in Asia -Pacific required.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English, both written and oral;
- Working knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage.
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.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension