Youth and Education Officer

Contract

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

UN Brussels Team (UNBT) - The United Nations team brings together 27 specialised agencies, funds and programmes spanning the development, humanitarian and human rights work of the UN. The Director of the UN Office in Brussels is the representative of the UN Secretary-General to the European Union institutions. The team works to build understanding and support for UN system activities within the EU institutions and amongst a wider public in Europe.

The assignment will have two parts: Part one: to support the coordination of activities of UN Brussels Team (UNBT) on engagement with the EU institutions in the field of youth. Part two: to support the UNs engagement with formal education partners across the European region that facilitate youth involvement and Environmental Education to meet relevant SDGs. With key objectives: To increase youth engagement and participation in the European consultative processes and education topics and cooperate with the European institutions, particularly the European Commission and the European Parliament, under the 2022 European Year of Youth and the development of the European Youth Action Plan. To support youth involvement and environmental education in the transformation process in line with UN goals addressing planetary emergency and the European Green Deal ambitions at the EU level. To assist on engagement on formal education partners across the European region.

The Youth and Education Unit oversees the education outreach and a series of youth projects for UN Environment at its headquarters in Nairobi.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of UNEP Brussels Offices and Chief, Environmental Education & Training Unit, and in close collaboration with members of the UN Youth Task Team the UN Volunteer on Youth and Education Officer will: 50%: Engagement with youth and education organizations with EU partners: • Outreach activities with youth supporting UN work with youth, with special focus on sustainable development, particularly environment, climate, children, and human rights with the European Commission in line with the European Green Deal and the European Year of Youth, the development of the European Youth Action Plan and youth events with the European Parliament; • Facilitation of cooperation of UN agencies in Brussels on youth (i.e. working group/task force) towards EU institutions and key European academic institutions; • Coordinate joint UN inputs to EU consultations on youth and education-related topics; in collaboration with relevant colleagues; • Facilitate regular exchanges with EU institutions; • Coordinate participation of UN agencies in key youth and education-related events, such as the European Youth Event, European Development Days, as well as regional events (e.g. Youth Event during the Europe-Africa week in February 2022); • Engagement and preparation of information for the Council Working Group on Education on ad hoc basis; • Supporting youth organizations in advocacy on the climate action and environment; • Supporting youth participation in decision-making within the context of UN-EU cooperation.

50%: Support the UNs engagement with formal education partners across the European region that facilitate youth involvement and Environmental Education to meet relevant SDGs: • Mapping of existing environmental education and engagement activities amongst UN agencies and facilitate the development of a common position; • Advocacy for environmental education and youth engagement in the activities with the European Commission and EU Presidency at key moments; • Identifying region-specific opportunities to leverage environmental education in schools and higher education institutions, with attention to European Alliances; • Support university network’s engagement based across Europe to integrate environmental and climate-related domains across the Higher Education, in addition, to support the rollout of projects on green jobs and behavioral changes on campus; • Contribute to the formulation of new initiatives and support the engagement of university networks based across Europe in these opportunities; • Youth Work: as one of the focal points of UNEP’s Youth Working Group, contribute to the mapping and organization of UNEP’s ongoing workstreams related to youth, identify opportunities and define the new youth agenda in line with UNEP’s MTS, UN Youth Strategy and the UN’s Our Common Agenda; • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Results/Expected Outputs: Efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to UNBT and UNEP in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Facilitate cooperation with EU institutions, youth organizations, and movements based in Brussels; • Organize outreach events with youth representatives with the European Parliament, the European Commission, the EU Presidencies, and EESC; • Working with key University networks in Europe to support the rollout of materials/curriculum that supports the priorities of the European Green Deal; • Support the delivery of at least 3 advocacy initiatives in the region that raise the profile of UNEP’s work with education/youth; • The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring, and formal on-the-job training when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); • Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNEP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the national or international level, working with EU institutions, in the UN or other international development organization, national organization or academic institutions; • High-level knowledge and experience with EU institutions; • Experience with academic institutions; • Very good knowledge of environmental policy on global level as well as in the EU; • Familiarity with sustainability education particularly environmental point of view in the European region; • Excellent oral and written skills – strong writer of stories and proposals that support the agenda of the week, excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills, and able to bring diverse group of individuals and partners together to agree a collective programme of work as well as able to write high quality reports and proposals as required; • 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 multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Knowledge of project design: a strong track record of designing projects that secure buy-in and generate results, project management: able to deliver highly complex projects of a global nature efficiently and effectively; • 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, ability to think creatively about how to evolve pre- existing programmes to have maximum impact; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision and with tight deadlines; Sound security awareness; • Fluency in spoken and written English is required; Working knowledge of additional UN official language is an advantage; Have affinity with or interest in Advocacy, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Brussels is a unique city to live and work in. It is the capital of Belgium and also of Europe. Headquarters of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (N.A.T.O.), Brussels is an international financial centre and home to the European headquarters of over two thousand multinationals. Brussels offers high-calibre scientific resources and has flexible economic infrastructures that have enabled it to keep pace with the great technological changes of the 21st century.