Inclusive Youth Economic Self-Reliance Expert

Organizational Context

UNDP Ukraine supports inclusive growth and sustainable human development, aligning with the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The ongoing full-scale invasion has intensified attacks on civilian infrastructure, creating new challenges and increasing dependence on external support. A project, leveraging Japan's expertise, aims to provide urgent, integrated support for recovery and resilience, focusing on essential services, socio-economic resilience, and transparent recovery processes. It promotes a 'Co-Creation' approach, engaging the private sector to accelerate Ukraine's build-back-better recovery, with youth as key drivers.

Job Purpose

This role supports the development of a comprehensive model for youth economic self-reliance in Ukraine, particularly for young persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups. The assignment aims to strengthen youth economic participation by improving coordination between youth policy, social protection, education, employment services, and disability inclusion mechanisms. The expert will contribute to creating inclusive pathways from education and skills development to employment and entrepreneurship, addressing systemic barriers. The goal is to foster sustainable economic participation and build resilience amidst the ongoing conflict, leveraging international partnerships and expertise to address urgent recovery needs and promote human security.

Responsibilities

The Inclusive Youth Economic Self-Reliance Expert will conduct research and analysis on the socio-economic situation, needs, and challenges affecting youth, including those with disabilities. This involves analyzing relevant national legislation, policies, and institutional frameworks, identifying barriers and enablers for economic self-reliance, and mapping existing support services. The expert will develop a comprehensive model for youth economic self-reliance, defining its conceptual design, methodology, and implementation framework, ensuring human rights-based, disability-inclusive, and barrier-free approaches. Key tasks include developing evidence-based pathways for education-to-employment transitions, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic participation, with specific mechanisms for inclusive labor market integration for young persons with disabilities. The role also involves designing operational components, inter-institutional cooperation mechanisms, and support services, as well as developing monitoring and evaluation systems and knowledge products. Stakeholder engagement and technical consultation with government institutions, youth organizations, employers, and development partners are crucial.

Work Experience

Requires a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in youth policy, social policy, employment, social protection, disability inclusion, public administration, or socio-economic development. Demonstrated experience in developing policy models, programmes, and strategic frameworks is essential. Experience in policy analysis, needs assessments, stakeholder mapping, and developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks is required. Strong analytical, drafting, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills are necessary.

Skills

Key competencies include accountability, professionalism, strategic thinking, analytical thinking, judgment and decision-making, partnership building, knowledge sharing, and self-management. Expertise in development programmes is also required. Strong analytical, drafting, communication, consultation, and stakeholder engagement skills are essential for this role.

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