Meaningful Youth Participation Specialist

Organizational Context

UNICEF's core mission is to uphold the rights of every child globally, focusing on equity for the most disadvantaged. In India, the Generation Unlimited (GenU) initiative, known as YuWaah!, aims to expand opportunities for young people aged 10-24. It fosters catalytic partnerships between governments, civil society, the private sector, and youth to ensure young people have access to learning, training, and employment by 2030, recognizing their vital role in national development.

Job Purpose

This role supports UNICEF's YuWaah initiative in India, focusing on enhancing meaningful youth participation. The specialist will operationalize 'Yutopia: A Public-Private-Youth Collective,' a partnership alliance designed to integrate youth perspectives into public and private sector systems. Key objectives include fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, facilitating knowledge sharing on youth-inclusive approaches, and ensuring young people's voices influence policies and programs. The position is crucial for co-creating scalable solutions that provide Indian youth with learning, training, and employment opportunities, aligning with the UN Youth Strategy and the goal of realizing every child's rights.

Responsibilities

The UN Volunteer will support UNICEF's YuWaah initiative in designing, coordinating, and operationalizing the Yutopia Public-Private-Youth Partnership Alliance. This involves convening stakeholders, including ministries, private sector partners, civil society, and youth networks, to share best practices and tools for youth-inclusive approaches. The role includes integrating young people's perspectives into policies, documenting impact, and translating insights into actionable guidance. Responsibilities also encompass planning and delivering alliance convenings and knowledge-sharing forums, developing documentation for youth-centric programs, and supporting the recruitment and engagement of the Young People's Action Team. Specific tasks include implementing youth engagement priorities, coordinating activities for the Young People's Action Team, supporting mentorship opportunities, assisting in drafting partnership materials, setting standards for youth centrality, and amplifying alliance activities through communications and social media.

Work Experience

Requires three years of relevant professional experience in program design and implementation, with a focus on meaningful youth engagement or youth centrality. Experience in designing participatory mechanisms for youth engagement in policies and governance is essential. Developing country or field work experience is also required. Strong analytical, communication, advocacy, and leadership skills are necessary.

Skills

Key competencies include professionalism, integrity, teamwork, respect for diversity, and commitment to continuous learning. Essential skills involve program design, coordination, and implementation with a focus on youth engagement; designing participatory approaches; strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and advocacy skills; excellent writing and reporting abilities; interpersonal skills for diverse stakeholder engagement; adaptability to challenging environments; and a demonstrated understanding of gender and equity issues.

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