Youth Programme Specialist

Organizational Context

UNESCO's mission is to foster peace, eradicate poverty, and promote sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, sciences, culture, communication, and information. The Youth Programme Specialist will operate within UNESCO Mozambique, contributing to this mandate with a strong focus on youth engagement and empowerment. The role is embedded in a dynamic, multi-sectoral environment, supporting youth-focused initiatives aligned with UNESCO's global strategies and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in collaboration with national and UN partners.

Job Purpose

The Youth Programme Specialist will contribute to UNESCO's mandate in Mozambique by focusing on youth engagement and empowerment within its programme operations. This assignment involves designing, coordinating, and delivering youth-focused initiatives aligned with UNESCO's Global Medium-Term Strategy, the 2030 Agenda, and the country strategy, in collaboration with the UN Youth Group and National Youth Council. A key purpose is to integrate youth perspectives across UNESCO Mozambique programmes, particularly supporting the National Youth Strategy update and implementing youth-related policies. The Specialist will facilitate and strengthen collaboration with national and inter-agency stakeholders, including the UN Youth Group and National Youth Council, to ensure youth voices are reflected in policy and programme design. This role aims to foster a coherent and impactful youth agenda in Mozambique, offering a platform for professional development in inter-agency coordination and evidence-based programming.

Responsibilities

The UN Volunteer will support youth programme design and implementation by assisting in planning, executing, and monitoring projects aligned with national strategies and UNESCO priorities. This includes contributing to workplans, budgets, and integrating youth perspectives across thematic areas like education, culture, and digital transformation, while identifying opportunities for youth leadership and civic engagement. The role involves providing technical inputs for updating the National Youth Strategy and designing innovative digital engagement approaches. Coordination and partnerships are crucial, requiring liaison with government counterparts, youth-led organizations, civil society, academic institutions, and UN agencies to foster collaboration and avoid duplication. The Specialist will organize meetings, workshops, and dialogues, contribute to inter-agency coordination, and strengthen engagement with the UN Youth Group and National Youth Council. The volunteer will also facilitate meaningful youth engagement and participation in consultations and policy dialogue, designing and facilitating youth-focused events, and promoting gender equality and inclusion for marginalized youth. Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting duties include supporting data collection, tracking progress, preparing reports, and documenting good practices. Additionally, the role involves knowledge management, communication support for youth-focused products, and providing administrative and operational assistance for activities, missions, and partner engagements.

Work Experience

Candidates must have at least three years of proven experience in supporting the design, implementation, or coordination of youth-focused programmes or projects, preferably within development, humanitarian, or public sector contexts. Experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, international organizations, NGOs, or civil society is essential. Familiarity with national youth policies, strategies, or international frameworks like the UN Youth 2030 Strategy is required. The role also demands experience in partnership building, stakeholder coordination, and integrating cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, inclusion, human rights, or digital transformation into youth programming. Experience in communications, advocacy, or youth mobilization campaigns is also beneficial.

Skills

Required competencies include Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Judgement and Decision-making, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, and Working in Teams. Key technical skills encompass programme and project support, youth engagement and facilitation, communication and writing, coordination and partnership, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities, along with digital and administrative skills. Expertise areas include Community Development, Communication, and Education.

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