Peace and Development Youth Associate

Contract

This is a UNV International Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Youth contracts.

Under the overall leadership of the United Nations Development Coordinator, the UN DCO in Pristina includes the following members: Head of the DCO, Economist, Partnerships Officer, Data Officer, Communications and Advocacy Officer, Executive Associate, Administrative Assistant and Driver. The work of the DCO is occasionally supported by UNVs, interns, and external consultants as needed.

The UNKT is currently in the process of finalising a proposal for a two-year Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) project in Kosovo, up to a maximum amount of $2.5 million. The Peacebuilding Fund is the UN’s financial instrument of first resort to sustain peace in situations at risk and is seen as a key tool to catalyze processes and resources, and to support initiatives to complement, enhance and “multiply” ongoing efforts towards trust-building, constructive dialogue and reconciliation in Kosovo and the region.

This UNV Assignment will be involved in supporting implementation of PBF projects in Kosovo, within Cooperation Framework 2021-2025 and related areas such as human rights, peace and development, transitional justice, hate speech and reconciliation.

Since the end of the conflict in 1999, Kosovo has made notable progress in support of democratisation, rule of law and effective governance and has placed itself firmly on the European Union (EU) integration path. As potential candidate for EU membership, a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU has been in force since April 2016, providing a key framework for reforms and development. Kosovo falls into the upper-middle-income category and has experienced substantial gains in economic growth and poverty reduction, albeit amidst continuously high unemployment, low labour force participation and reliance on diaspora inflows. Young people and women find themselves at a particular disadvantage in the labour market and, despite de jure equality, de facto discrimination against women and girls persists, facilitated by persisting patriarchal values. As elsewhere in the world, energy and food prices, on the rise since 2021, are susceptible to further inflation. Due to pre-existing socioeconomic vulnerabilities in Kosovo’s health and social protection systems and the potential long-term effects of school closures during the COVID-19 on already low education levels, there is a risk of inequality gaps widening further and regressions in social cohesion. Gaps in reconciliation, trust-building and constructive dialogue pose challenges to sustainable peace and development in Kosovo as well as the wider region. These deficiencies are compounded by a lack of agreement on Kosovo’s status, although recent developments in the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue and incentives posed by the EU integration agenda present opportunities for the normalisation of relations.

The UN DCO in Pristina would like to engage a UN Youth Volunteer as Peace and Development Associate to provide support to the UNDCO/UNKT in the advancement of work towards strengthened social cohesion and trust. The International UN Youth Volunteer will be based in the UN Development Coordinator’s Office (UN DCO) in Pristina, supporting the operations of the DCO and ultimately the work of the UN Development Coordinator and the United Nations Kosovo Team (UNKT).

All references to Kosovo should be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).

Under the direct supervision of the DCO Team Leader, the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Provides support in all areas related to Peacebuilding Fund projects, including through preparing DC participation in steering committees and supporting joint PBF activities such as the UN Youth Assembly. • Assists with UNKT development activities related to the Women, Peace and Security agenda and/or the Youth, Peace and Security agenda, including through promoting the positive role of young people from Kosovo in preventing and resolving conflict, for example through the UN Youth Assembly; the Women, Peace and Security Summit; and participation in the UN Youth Empowerment Group. • Contributes to preparation of UNKT joint programming proposals, such as for the global Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls. • Supports the DCO team in research work around peace building, transitional justice and reconciliation related issues and their impact. • Identifies and maps options for peace building and reconciliation-related funding in close cooperation with the DCO Partnerships Officer. • Assists advocacy and communications initiatives to promote peace and reconciliation and highlight UNKT development results, including through use of social media, in close liaison with the DCO Communications Officer and the UN Communications Group and with a specific focus on young people. • In close coordination with UNMIK and UNKT colleagues, supports meetings of the re-gional programmatic coordination group in Mitrovica, North Kosovo and pursues fol-low-up to relevant activities by UNKT focal points. • In close coordination with DCO Data Officer, supports data analysis of Cooperation Framework implementation and results, particularly with regard to accountable gov-ernance, social cohesion, gender equality and human rights. • Supports meetings of the UNKT Human Rights Working Group under co-chairmanship of the Development Coordinator and the Head of OHCHR in Kosovo, including preparing of agenda, taking of minutes, and monitoring of follow-up action points. • Supports consultations with youth actors and other relevant stakeholders in prepara-tion for the Common Kosovo Analysis review. • Assists the DCO team in compiling other regular and ad hoc reports as needed. • Supports the organization of other DCO / UNKT meetings as required.

Commitment and Motivation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Creativity Ethics and Values Knowledge Sharing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Technological Awareness Working in Teams

(ideally) or demonstrated interest in Peace building and peace development, Human Rights, Transitional Justice, Project Management • Understanding of social media tools • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be an asset • Previous exposure to strategic communications would be an asset

Kosovo is located in the Balkans mountain range of South Eastern Europe. The climate is continental, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters.
• Houses/Apartments are easily available and generally have electricity and running water. Costs are reasonable, but vary according to location, i.e. city centre or outlying villages. Upon arrival, you will reside in a hotel or apartment until you get permanent housing. The UNV Field Unit can assist in identify suitable housing.
• There are no specific health problems associated with Kosovo, and no vaccines are re-quired prior to arrival. • Foods and dietary needs of all kinds are available in the many supermarkets. There are market places that cater in fruits and vegetables, and bakeries offer some exquisite pas-tries and breads. Fresh fish and meat are also easily available.