Programme Analyst - Youth Participation and Leadership

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Adolescents and youth participation and leadership are at the core of UNFPA’s mandate. Through its Strategic Plan 2022-2025, UNFPA leads efforts on youth agency and participation and supports youth networks and organizations in their work on development issues, humanitarian affairs, and peacebuilding. Youth leadership and participation is also a crucial dimension of UNFPA’s Strategy on Youth, My Body, My Life, My World.

In the West and Central Africa region, where 66% of the population is under 25 years old, partnerships with youth networks are crucial for implementing adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights programmes. Strengthening youth leadership to fulfil their potential for transformative change is one of the objectives of the UNFPA 2022-2025 West and Central Africa regional program. The position of Programme Analyst – Youth Participation and Leadership is located within the West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO). The post holder will be part of the Gender and Human Rights Team, which leads regional activities related to gender and human rights and oversees the programmatic work of country offices engaged in important regional programmes, such as the Spotlight Initiative for Africa, the joint program on ending female genital mutilation, the joint program on ending child marriage. The Programme Analyst will work under the guidance and supervision of the Gender & Human Rights Advisor and in close collaboration with the Adolescent and Youth Specialist and other program and thematic units of the Regional Office.

The post will play a central role in ensuring that diverse youth networks and leaders are meaningfully engaged in the work of UNFPA in West and Central Africa. The position will include: ● Supporting independent, effective, and sustainable organizations led by young people, especially marginalized adolescent girls, to advocate for their human rights and development priorities in the West & Central Africa region. ● Building the skills of young leaders and involving young people and youth-led organizations in policymaking and programming. ● Working with different teams in the regional office and with country offices to support their engagement with youth leaders and networks. ● Coordinating youth-focused initiatives in the region, ensuring timely and quality delivery of the program activities.● Contribute to developing, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on interventions related to sexual and reproductive health and rights, harmful practices, peace, and security, with a focus on youth participation and leadership. ● Contribute to organizing and sustaining youth-led advocacy campaigns, promoting youth-led accountability, and conducting capacity-building events for young people. ● Provide technical advice on the practical application of youth participation and leadership approaches in regional program delivery of adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. ● Participate in regional youth leadership and participation coordination mechanisms. ● Analyze youth leadership knowledge and trends to contribute to knowledge products such as policy briefs and recommend programming opportunities and policy actions. ● Carry out any other duties as may be required.

Values: • Exemplifying integrity, • Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, • Embracing cultural diversity, • Embracing change Core Competencies: • Achieving results, • Being accountable, • Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, • Thinking analytically and strategically, • Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

●in adolescent and youth program planning, monitoring, and evaluation, ideally either in the Public Health, sexual and reproductive health, rights, and development field. ● Being under 30 years old is considered an asset. ● Two years’ experience at the national or international level in project cycle management ● Demonstrated experience as a trainer is of added advantage. ● Hands-on experience leading a Youth-led organization or network. ● Excellent written and oral communication skills. ● Creative problem-solving and ability to work under tight deadlines. ● Team player with a positive attitude.

Senegal is a unique country and UNFPA conducts a unique humanitarian operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.