2023 Youth, Peace and Security Specialist wanted at UNDP in Ethiopia
Are you passionate about peace and security in Africa? Do you have what it takes to support peace and security processes? Grow your career now and apply for 2023 Youth, Peace and Security Specialist wanted at UNDP in Ethiopia
2023 Youth, Peace and Security Specialist wanted at UNDP in Ethiopia
Description of assignment title
Youth, Peace and Security Specialist
Assignment country
Ethiopia
Expected start date
01/09/2023
Sustainable Development Goal
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Volunteer category
International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNDP
Type
Onsite
Duration
12 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Addis Ababa
Details
Mission and objectives
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System. It serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a continuous spectrum of in-depth local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy.
In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.
The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles) is widely recognized as the most authoritative, normative framework guiding efforts to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of business operations on human rights.
Experts have described it as the single most important innovation in promoting sustainable business practices in the last 25 years – a role that is reinforced by its inclusion as one of the Means of Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).
Context
Youth meaningful participation in governance and peacebuilding processes is a key priority for UNDP. UNDP’s approach to youth empowerment and the Youth, Peace and Security agenda is indeed a co-creation approach, considering that young people must have a driving seat at the table and take an active role in decision making processes that affect them.
In that regard, UNDP Regional Service Center for Africa, together with the UNDP Youth Community of Practice in Africa, and through its extended network of youth-led organizations, supports initiatives and platforms that translate the Youth, Peace and Security agenda into practice, improve and amplify evidence-based solutions, and advocate for young people’s meaningful participation in peace and security efforts globally, nationally and locally.
UNDP, through its programmes and interventions, seeks to strengthen youth political and civic engagement and empower them as active and effective peacebuilding agents within the existing formal structures and within their communities.
In line with the UN Youth Strategy (Youth 2030), and the Security Council Resolutions (SCR) 2250 and 2535 on the role of youth in peacebuilding processes, UNDP recognizes the critical role of young people, and supports national governments and civil society organizations in empowering youth across sectors.
The UNDP Renewed Governance and Peacebuilding Framework for Africa: 2022-2025 recognizes the significance of investing in Africa’s youth by, among others, promoting and nurturing the next generation of leaders to steer pathways to transformational leadership on the continent.
The Framework aims at reimaging governance and peacebuilding in Africa with youth as the main drivers of change, by focusing on enabling them to build resilience, sharpen their civic engagement, enhancing critical thinking and service as agents of peacebuilding.
In particular, UNDP Regional Service Center for Africa supports the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda: i) at policy level, through the support to the development of national action plans, and policy frameworks on Youth Peace and Security; ii) at community level, through capacity building of youth-led organizations and young peacebuilders and the creation of safe and inclusive spaces for young people’s participation in decision making processes.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Youth empowerment specialist or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Youth, Peace and Security Specialist will: I. Provide advisory and programme support to the work related to the Youth Peace and Security agenda in Africa:
• Support the implementation of the workplan of the regional youth team, in particular the outputs related to the implementation of Youth Peace and Security agenda in Africa.
• Develop new proposals to advance the youth, peace and security agenda in Africa.
• Support the development implementation of the Peace Building Fund proposals involving UNDP, and having a youth, peace and security component.
• Promote the YPS entry points in peacebuilding and governance programmes and strategies of UNDP.
• Promote the YPS agenda in UNDP’s portfolios and programmes.
• Support activities and interventions that enable the acceleration of the implementation of resolutions 2250, 2419 and 2535 of the United Nations Security Council to ensure young women and men are recognized, included and supported as partners of peace, including through PBF, Funding Windows, and other initiatives, projects and programme.
• Promote the implementation of the Bujumbura declaration on YPS in Africa (2022) across the continent. • Support YPS mainstreaming in the Regional and Country Programme Documents, and effectively link political and economic empowerment of young people and peacebuilding using a YPS lens.
• Support youth-inclusive conflict analysis and train other relevant team members on YPS.
• Support the organization of youth and intergenerational dialogues around YPS.
• Align regional interventions on YPS with global mechanisms and programmes, including with the UNDP Youth Global Programme.
• Report on a regular basis on the implementation of the YPS agenda in Africa. II. Support the development of mechanisms and policies, at the national and regional levels, aiming at strengthening youth meaningful participation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding processes:
• Encourage and support civil society organizations and other stakeholders for the establishment of national coalitions on YPS.
• Support the development of national and local YPS roadmaps and action plans in Africa.
• Engage with and support mobilization of youth-led networks, in particular for youth participation in electoral and transition processes in Africa.
• Support the development of new projects or programmes having youth participation in conflict prevention, peacebuilding and social cohesion as a key priority.
• Document and share lessons learnt on YPS initiatives and identify potential for scale up to other sub-regions in the continent. III. Support inter-agency coordination on YPS and build partnerships and engage with multiple stakeholders for the promotion of the YPS agenda in Africa:
• Contribute to relevant inter-agency meetings on YPS at regional and global levels, to lift stories and lessons learned from the region and formulate policy and programming recommendations.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with UN agencies, the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities, civil society organizations, academia, and other partners and donors, and explore new ways of collaboration on youth, peace and security in Africa.
• Leverage existing coordination mechanisms across UN and non-UN development, peace and humanitarian actors, to advocate for and advance the youth, peace and security agenda in Africa.
• Coordinate YPS mainstreaming at Country Office (CO) level and represent UNDP in relevant interagency mechanisms advancing the YPS agenda.
• Support the newly established interagency group on Youth, Peace and Security in West Africa and the Sahel, co led by UNDP, UNOWAS and UNFPA.
• Coordinate with other UN entities on YPS at country-level. IV. Support the development of knowledge products and contribute to capacity building of various actors on youth, peace and security
• Facilitate capacity building of youth focal points across the 46 UNDP Country Offices that are under the Regional Bureau for Africa, and support the Youth Community of Practice in Africa.
• Facilitate capacity building of youth organizations in Africa, on the youth, peace and security agenda.
• Support the development of innovative strategies and interventions that foster youth participation in peacebuilding and decision making mechanisms.
• Develop innovative tools for knowledge sharing on the YPS agenda in Africa.
• Support the roll out of a storytelling for peace initiative in Africa.
• Draft reports, briefs and notes, including on promising practices and lessons learnt directly linked to YPS initiatives, projects and programmes.
• Identify ways to support and trigger youth-led research on YPS in the region.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
5 years of experience in youth empowerment, youth participation, Youth Peace and Security and/or youth-led peacebuilding or related area; combined with experience working on issues related to conflict prevention, social cohesion, political dialogue, electoral processes, especially regarding youth; • Experience in elections and governance
• Demonstrated experience in presenting and advocating for ideas with a range of stakeholders including youth, donors, civil society, academia, and government officials;
• Knowledge of UNDP rules and procedures is an asset.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in peace and development and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.
Area(s) of expertise
Community development, Crisis and emergency response, Development programmes
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required French, Level: Fluent, Required Portuguese, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable Spanish, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in Political Sciences, Public Administration, Economics, Human Rights, Social Sciences or related fields
Competencies and values
• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organizing
• Professionalism
• Self-management
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Addis Ababa is the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The population is estimated at about 4 million or so and located in the Ethiopian highlands at an altitude of 2,500-2,700 meters. The climate is sunny and temperate, but it can be very cold at night, with freezing temperature at times.
It is therefore advisable to bring warm clothing and foresee using heaters and/or log fires when necessary. Addis Ababa is the headquarters for the UN Economic Commission for Africa as well as the African Union (ex-OAU). Thus, there is a very large community of expatriates from all over the world.
There are some 80 embassies/diplomatic missions. Housing is most of the time readily available and the rents are, on average, reasonable. Most foodstuffs, beverages, household goods, furniture and clothing, mostly imported from the Middle/Far East, South Africa and Europe, or local brands, can be found, although they can be expensive. Meat, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables are cheap and abundantly available.
The basic infrastructures – roads, utilities, and telecommunications – are below standard, as are medical facilities, which are still largely inadequate, although a few private clinics and hospitals provide reasonably good routine care. There are lots of tourist attractions to visit around the country, although the amenities are often poor to average.
Several restaurants around the city serve local or international cuisine and there are numerous social and cultural events throughout the year organized by the international and local communities. Sports facilities (fitness, tennis, swimming, riding, golf, etc.) exist in the major hotels or in different establishments around the city.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
