Programme Associate

Result of Service

1. Research inputs (data, case studies) to be included in the policy briefs developed under the “Emerging Issues in Youth Policy: Addressing Emerging and Frontier Issues with and for Youth” initiative

2. Research inputs (suggested topics, potential speakers) to the discussions and preparation of the 2022 edition of the ECOSOC Youth Forum.

3. Coordination of inputs (reports, meeting minutes) to DESA’s work as co-chair of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development.

4. Visual elements (pictures, graphs) to be included in World Youth Report on Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Work Location

Home Based

Expected duration

The proposed contract will be full-time from November 2021 to 31 January 2022 with the possibility of extension.

Duties and Responsibilities

This Individual Contractor is located in the Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).

The Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) monitors national and global socio-economic trends, identifies emerging issues, and assesses their implications for social policy at the national and international levels. DISD has unique global mandates on groups of people that have traditionally been left behind (indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, older persons and youth), as well as issues (families, cooperatives and sports for peace and development) and themes (eradicating poverty, promoting employment and decent jobs, fostering inclusion and participation, and reducing inequalities). DISD promotes socially inclusive development by translating relevant international norms into policy and practice at regional, national and sub-national levels through technical cooperation, capacity development and partnerships. DISD also contributes to accelerating of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a focus on the social dimension of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Identifying and working on emerging and frontier issues is a critical function of DESA’s role in keeping the UN relevant and forward looking. Addressing emerging issues before they become emergencies is a strong imperative of the UN system and has also been the ask of various youth consultations. In this context, DISD created the Emerging Issues in Youth Policy: Addressing Emerging and Frontier Issues with and for Youth initiative, which focuses on a number of emerging issues of critical importance of young people. DISD also plays a critical role in designing the ECOSOC Youth Forum which acts as a unique space for young people to share their vision and actions as well as to provide youth perspectives on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. In addition, DESA, through DISD, is the permanent co-chair of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD) which is the United Nations’ inter-agency mechanism for matters related to youth. It works to advance and increase the effectiveness of the UN’s work in youth development and policy by strengthening collaboration, creating coherence and enabling exchange among all relevant UN entities. Lastly, DISD prepares the World Youth Report, a flagship publication which focuses on keys issues faced by of young people across the globe.

In this context, DISD would like to hire an Individual Contractor to support research efforts linked to the Emerging Issues in Youth Policy: Addressing Emerging and Frontier Issues with and for Youth, the ECOSOC Youth Forum, IANYD and the World Youth Report.

Responsibility

Under the supervision of the Chief of the Programme on Youth Unit (PYU) of the Social Integration and Participation Branch (SIPB), in DISD, the Individual Contractor will undertake the following:

The Individual Contractor will be responsible for the following work assignment:

1. Conducting evidence-based research on the topics identified under the “Emerging Issues in Youth Policy: Addressing Emerging and Frontier Issues with and for Youth” initiative. These topics include multilateralism, mental health, climate change, technological commons, etc. The Individual Contractor will contribute to the research needed to prepare the policy briefs developed under this initiative.

2. Support the initial research and brainstorming leading up to the 2022 edition of the ECOSOC Youth Forum. This includes identifying critical issues to be addressed, innovative engagement approaches and good practices to include marginalized youth, potential speakers, etc.

3. Support meetings of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development by assisting with drafting documents such as concept notes, reports, meeting minutes, etc.

4. Support the finalization of the World Youth Report on Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing, including researching and selecting relevant pictures and creating visual elements to be inserted into the report.

5. Other tasks assigned by the Chief of the Programme on Youth Unit.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social science, public policies, international development, international affairs or international relations or related field.

Experience: Minimum ten (10) years of relevant work experience, including in relation youth development, research and/or programme coordination, either in civil society government or international organizations;

• In-depth knowledge of youth development;
• Knowledge of the UN ecosystem on youth development;

Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job posting, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Knowledge and practical application of theories and concepts related to social development and social policy, including ability to use approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Strong analytical capacity and the ability to identify, analyze and articulate difficult issues/problems. Ability to use sound judgment. Strong research skills, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources using standard methodologies and analytical techniques, draw conclusions and assess impact on the social development and policy issues. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.