Youth Civic Engagement Coordinator

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.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the important role of youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and calls for action against the challenges faced by young people that limits their economic, social and political inclusion. Today, young people are more connected, more creative, more informed and more persuasive than any previous generation. Young people are responding to the challenges of today with innovative approaches, contributing fresh ideas, creating the world they want, and driving human development for themselves, their communities and their societies. But at the same time, due to COVID-19 pandemic and other socio-political challenges, many young people are at the risk of economic insecurity. In addition, many young people are left out of decision-making processes, which further contributes to their marginalization and exclusion.

Civic Engagement under Youth Empowerment Portfolio for Asia-Pacific (YEP-AP)

With above context, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP), launched Regional Youth Empowerment Portfolio capturing key pillars of programming such as Youth Entrepreneurship, Youth and Climate Action, Youth and 21st century Skills and Youth Civic engagement with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as a cross cutting agenda across the portfolio. The University UNV will work as part of the Regional Youth Unit, particularly supporting youth civic engagement activities implemented by the project.

At present, Youth Civic Engagement pillar includes activities to strengthen youth empowerment in climate governance, meaningful youth engagement, strengthening capacity of youth parliaments, youth, peace and security and protecting young human rights defenders.

Under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist – Civil Society and Youth, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Coordinate programmes around Youth Empowerment in Climate Governance • Building on the current progress, support the team in consolidating various approaches to empower youth in climate governance • Collect data and evidence from UNDP country offices • Lead the development of partnership proposals, relevant communication materials for engaging external partners to support the programming approaches

2. Coordinate programmes around meaningful youth engagement
   • In partnership with other UN agencies, civil society partners etc. research and identifying various approaches for meaningful youth engagement • Develop content to facilitate knowledge exchange among UNDP Country offices, partners and youth networks • Facilitating sessions under Movers Youth Skills development programme on Meaningful Youth Engagement • Coordinate efforts to engage external partners and showcase impact

3. Support RBAP Country offices in implementing Youth Parliament Programmes • In collaboration with other UN partners, Civil Society etc., research on good case practices on convening youth parliaments • Develop guidelines, toolkits and modules to successfully convene youth parliaments at national level • Support UNDP country offices to implement national youth parliament programmes • Data collection and showcasing activities around youth parliaments • Coordinate efforts to mobilize external resources to support youth parliament programmes and showcasing of impact

4. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies and Values ☒ Accountability ☐ Adaptability and Flexibility ☐ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☐ Commitment and Motivation ☐ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☐ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Empowering Others ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☐ Judgement and Decision-making ☐ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Leadership ☒ Managing Performance ☒ Planning and Organizing ☐ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☐ Technological Awareness ☐ Vision ☒ Working in Teams

development studies, social and political sciences, international relations or other relevant field.
•Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to 2 years) in youth empowerment and strategies to promote the role of young people as agents of change and advance social, political and economic inclusion of youth • Experience in designing technical content and lead engagement events like youth communities of practice with operational support from the co-convenors • Experience in working in governments, NGOs, CSOs or higher education institutions on youth empowerment and/or skills development issues is preferable • Working experience in Asia and the Pacific region • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded • Previous experience with inclusion, equity and diversity is an asset

Thailand is located in Southeast Asia. The climate is tropical, with the monsoon season running from May/June through October/November. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand, and it is also the most populated city in the country. It is located in the Chao Phraya River delta in the central part of the country. Bangkok has an estimated population of 8.75 million as of 2017 (13% of Thailand’s total population), based on data from the 2010 census. Over the past decades, Bangkok has grown rapidly with little urban planning or regulation. This has led to traffic congestion and air pollution, and there is frequent flooding of streets during the rainy season in the City’s low-lying areas. The cost of living in Thailand is relatively low, as compared to many other capitals in Southeast Asia. Housing is widely available in various sizes and at various price points. Private healthcare in Thailand is of excellent standard, and there are numerous top hospitals in Bangkok, which fall far below countries like the US in terms of price. There are numerous high-quality international schools available in Bangkok, with English as the language of instruction. Bangkok has different public transportation options, including the BTS Skytrain and MRT Underground, metered taxis, mobile-based ride-hailing services (Grab, All Thai Taxi, etc.), tuk tuks, motorbike taxis, buses and boats.