Youth Fellow-Somali Youth (SOYO) Fellowship Cohort II
Organizational Context
UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency committed to a world where every pregnancy is wanted, childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. It champions sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and data-driven development. In Somalia, UNFPA focuses on adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health, life skills, leadership, and meaningful participation in peacebuilding, working with partners to reach underserved youth, including young women, displaced youth, and youth with disabilities.
Job Purpose
The Somali Youth (SOYO) Fellowship Cohort II is a 12-month professional and leadership development initiative by UNFPA Somalia. It aims to strengthen fellows' professional and technical competencies through supervised workplace experience, develop their leadership skills and meaningful participation, and enable their contributions to UNFPA and UN mandates. Fellows will engage in practical assignments, mentorship, coaching, and targeted learning. Successful applicants will be matched to specific UNFPA units based on their qualifications and interests, contributing to areas such as programme coordination, SRH, gender equality, data, humanitarian response, communications, resource mobilization, climate change, or operations.
Responsibilities
Under supervision, fellows will support various UNFPA programme areas. This includes assisting with programme coordination, activity planning, documentation, and logistical arrangements. Specific duties involve supporting sexual and reproductive health programs, including maternal health and family planning, and monitoring outreach activities. Fellows will also support gender equality initiatives by assisting with GBV program coordination, research, and campaigns, ensuring confidentiality and survivor-centered principles. Contributions to adolescent and youth programs involve developing workplans and documenting feedback from underserved groups. Support for population and development includes demographic research and data compilation. In humanitarian response, fellows will assist with preparedness, needs assessment, and monitoring SRH and GBV activities. Operational support includes assisting with finance, HR, administration, and ICT tasks, ensuring accurate record-keeping and confidentiality. Fellows will also contribute to monitoring and evaluation by compiling data and tracking progress, and support communications and advocacy by drafting content and assisting with campaigns. Resource mobilization support involves partner mapping and research, while climate change initiatives include compiling evidence and supporting related program inputs. All fellows will participate in learning activities and develop a knowledge product.
Work Experience
No prior professional experience is required. However, demonstrated interest or experience in youth development, leadership, community engagement, peacebuilding, SRHR, gender equality, GBV prevention, human rights, population data, humanitarian action, climate links to UNFPA's mandate, programme coordination, research, data compilation, monitoring, reporting, knowledge management, communications, partnerships, resource mobilization, or relevant operational support is valued. Skills in Microsoft Office, research, basic data analysis, documentation, report writing, meeting coordination, and communication are beneficial.
Skills
Demonstrated interest or experience in youth development, leadership, community engagement, peacebuilding, SRHR, gender equality, GBV prevention, human rights, population data, humanitarian action, climate links to UNFPA’s mandate, programme coordination, research, data compilation, monitoring, reporting, knowledge management, communications, partnerships, resource mobilization, or relevant operational support. Skills in Microsoft Office, research, basic data analysis, accurate documentation, report writing, meeting coordination, records management, administrative support, communication, teamwork, stakeholder engagement, cultural sensitivity, planning, organization, problem-solving, adaptability, and attention to detail are beneficial. Experience in administration, community development, emergency preparedness, and crisis response is also relevant.