Young Innovator Fellow

Contract

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

Enabling young people to realise their full social, economic and human potential is a key aspect of UNFPA’s mandate. Our Fellows are innovative young people from around the world who have demonstrated commitment to development issues within their communities. The Young Innovators Fellowship programme brings young people into UNFPA with a dedicated focus on both providing a youth perspective and driving innovation. This exciting opportunity sees fellows undergo leadership training and support innovation efforts in UNFPA Regional or Country Offices in a capacity relevant to their experience. Our goal is to provide fellows with the tools, skill sets, international experience and exposure to innovation to empower them to realise their career goals, thus building national capacity. Fellows in turn provide innovative insights and ideas that will enable us to be better aligned with development issues in their community.

The UNFPA Young Innovator Fellow will contribute to UNFPA’s innovation priorities in a number of ways, including: strengthening the innovation architecture; supporting the scale-up of innovations; forming partnerships; strengthening financing for innovation; and expanding the communities and culture for innovation. The UNFPA Young Innovator Fellow will contribute to strengthening the innovation culture in UNFPA’s Western and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO), in line with the prioritization given to innovation as one of the 6 accelerators to achieve the 2022-25 UNFPA Strategic Plan outputs. The mission will focus on the below, in the larger context of the second UNFPA Transformative Result, to end unmet need for family planning. Knowledge management: Continually collect and gather intelligence on the latest trends and technology from within UNFPA, other UN agencies, the private sector and youth entrepreneurs with a view to improve WCARO knowledge on innovation and increase capacity to identify areas for further exploration Capture collective internal innovation knowledge in UNFPA WCARO with a view to extend its knowledge base on ways to apply it toward UNFPA’s mandate, especially to end unmet need for family planning Join and/or build and expand innovation networks within and outside the UN System Continually share innovation best practices with the Regional Office and Country Offices in the region In depth study of the innovation business model environment in West and Central Africa with a view to scan the competitive landscape: Landscaping of innovation in other sister UN agencies, the private sector and other Humanitarian/Development entities (NGOs, etc.) Identification of specific challenges encountered in the region as well as at CO level, and propose solutions Under the direct supervision of the WCARO Resource Mobilisation and Partnership Adviser, and in close collaboration with the FP Adviser and Youth Specialist, the Fellow will undertake the above mentioned tasks in order to effectively deliver the below products: Create digital platform and Innovation community of practice with COs’ Innovation focal points in the WCA region Monthly one pager reports on latest trends for dissemination to COs Join wider Innovation platforms Creation of a tracking mechanism for monitoring of innovation trends
The assignment will include mission travel to New York, once for a capstone to conclude the fellowship.

Values Exemplifying integrity Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system Emacing 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 Communicating for impact

digital technologies or online platforms for programmatic areas (e.g., education, health, social development) 0 year of demonstrated interest and dedication to development issues in areas of UNFPA’s mandate through either volunteer experience, work experience, or youth network affiliations. Preferably, up to 3 years of experiences are welcomed. Demonstrated, or clear idea of, delivery of UNFPA’s mandate in an innovative way Ability to identify and propose innovative solutions to problems Prior experience engaging with different stakeholders or entities, such as with the private sector, social enterprises, academia, the media, a plus Open to candidates aged between 18 years to 26 years old Special consideration will be given to indigenous people, persons with disabilities and LGBTQI candidates

The assignment will take place in the nation’s capital, Dakar, a family duty station (Hardship classification A) with missions to the region. Dakar is a liveable city. The spontaneous reception and hospitality of the Senegalese are among the characteristic features of this West African country. The living conditions in Dakar are good, as well as the access to health services. The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory, and vaccination cards should be presented at the entrance. Vaccinations against Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis A and B are also recommended. The basic drugs are available in pharmacies, but it is recommended to bring specific prescription drugs. According to ANSD/RGPHAE 2020 official estimates, the Dakar metropolitan area population reaches over 3,9 million people. The total population of Senegal is 16 705 608 inhabitants (ANSD 2020). Senegal is located on UTC/ GMT. Senegal has a warm climate and sunny days throughout the year that make it a comfortable duty station. Daytime temperatures are, on average, around 30°C. The rainy season is in the northern hemisphere’s summer/fall. The currency used in Senegal is called Franc CFA (XOF). On 1st March 2021, the average exchange rate is 1 USD = 535,913XOF. Many hotels, restaurants and businesses in Senegal accept the leading international credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.). It is also possible to withdraw cash from automatic telling machines found in all the major cities. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is vast. It is possible to rent unfurnished and furnished accommodations from 450 to 2000 USD. UN Volunteers can also co-rent and share private concessions, which must comply with Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS). Local taxis can easily arrange Transportation in town. A valid passport is required to enter Senegal and a negative COVID-19 test. ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) nationals are not required an entry visa. Citizens of other countries may be required an entry visa or long-stay visa. They should contact the closest Senegalese representation. Senegalese Embassies and consulates in various West African countries and other parts of the world issue visas before travel.