Youth Development Delegate/Project Assistant

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.

In partnership with the Arab Youth Center in the UAE, UNDP is recruiting young people across the Arab State region to work on youth development in their respective countries. The objective of this assignment is to support youth programming at the country level as well as the regional and global level. The Youth Development Delegate/Project Assistant will work under the supervision and guidance of the UNDP Youth Focal Points both at the country (Tunisia) and regional levels (SHABABeek project). S/he will be an integral part of the UNDP Country office and Regional Programme team and will play an important role supporting UNDP’s Country Offices and partners, with a strong focus on coordination, advocacy, planning, and evaluation.

In Tunisia, Youth between 18-35 represent 38% of the overall active Tunisian population (between 15-60), while 40,8% of them (40,3% of young men and 41,6% of young women) are jobless; and another significative part is underemployed. This trend results from structural factors, such as the inadequacy between the qualifications and trainings dedicated to young people and the needs existing on the labour market. This is worsened by multiple layers of conjunctural elements such as the economic conjuncture and the sanitarian situation. Furthermore, the constant evolutive political context has affected young people trust in public institutions, as well as the intergenerational dialogue, resulting in an overall feeling of being marginalized and stigmatized. Those challenges impact significantly the perspectives of socio-economic development and reinforce inequalities and precarity to which young people are directly affected. Thus, they are particularly vulnerable and suffer from a lack of personal and professional growth. This lead to a feeling of disenchantment resulting in multiple consequences such as brain drain, irregular migration, use of violence against oneself or against others.

In this context, UNDP Tunisia has been supporting the Youth sector in developing efficient programs answering Young peoples’ needs, at the national level aside the ministry of Youth and Sports, and at the local level in municipalities and Youth Centers. To approach the complex challenges young Tunisians are facing, UNDP Tunisia is currently pooling its experiences and efforts related to Youth across its interventions, which is an exercise the Project Assistant will support.

The Project Assistant is expected to substantially contribute to the effective management of youth programming by performing the following duties:

• Directly supports the Regional Youth Project, inclusive of the Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator, plus where relevant and youth programming by following up on implementation, coordinating with partners and UNDP Country Offices, accessing regional networks, creating linkages and providing technical support; • Contributes to strategic planning, developing innovative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities for youth in the Arab region around SDGs; • Supports the timely preparation and quality control of all substantive technical reports, briefs and required documents, including progress reports, concept notes, background documents and briefing notes; • Works closely with the regional team members in the development of project activities to promote youth’s social, political and economic empowerment in the Arab region; • Publicly advocating for and speaking out on youth engagement in development (and the pursuit of SDGs achievement) nationally, which will include monthly vlogs, leading online public webinars, and social media outreach; • Facilitates the delivery of YLP activities by monitoring results achieved during implementation. S/he ensures and guides the appropriate application of monitoring, reporting and evaluation systems and procedures and develops enhancements if necessary; • Captures stories which reflect on know how (procedures, processes, tactics) and know why (lessons learned, reasons for failures/success); • Coordinates work and information for the NextGenYouth Platform Tunisia country page including its’s mentorship support component, where relevant; • Conducts an overview and analysis of the relevant partners, donors and stakeholders to the project, and develops a plan for efficient flow of information between them and the project, and vice versa; • Support the Development of general tools/guidelines for operative communication measures at regional/national/local levels, for instance press releases, social media, press events, social media and campaigns; • Carrying out other tasks as assigned by Regional Coordinator and/or the Youth Focal point at the CO level, both in coordination, and any other required administrative work.

Competencies : • Data storytelling and communications: Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the meaning of that data in a powerful and compelling fashion. • Multimedia production: Ability to create and combine images, text and audio-visuals to produce multimedia content - Good computer skills in both English and Arabic - Advanced computer skills, including word processing (Word), spreadsheet (Excel) and data management programmes, and ability to quickly learn new applications. - Strong writing skills - Ability to perform a variety of standard tasks related to screening and collecting of project documentation, projects data entering, preparation of revisions, filing, provision of information, and reporting.

Values : • Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or relevant and transferable knowledge to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy, and tact in client relations; ability to exercise sound judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with a wide range of different actors, especially at leadership positions; if applicable, a high degree of autonomy, personal initiative, and ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to assume broad responsibilities and work independently according to established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately, and confidentially; responsive and customer-oriented. • Integrity: demonstrate the ethical values and standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration for personal gain; resist undue political pressures in decision-making; advocate for decisions that are in the organization's interest even if unpopular; take prompt action in the case of unprofessional or unethical behavior; do not abuse power or authority. • Teamwork and Diversity Respect: ability to function effectively beyond organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relationships in a multicultural, multiethnic, and mixed environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality, and age. • Commitment to Continuous Learning: initiative and willingness to acquire new skills and stay informed about new developments in the field of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in the work environment. • Planning and Organization: effective organizational and problem-solving skills; ability to manage a large volume of work efficiently and timely; ability to set priorities and plan, coordinate, and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and manage multiple projects/activities simultaneously. • Genuine commitment to the principles of voluntary engagement, including solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and autonomy; and commitment to the mission and vision of UNDP, as well as the fundamental values of the United Nations.

Community outreach and youth mobilization Creative design and implementation of youth-focused programs.

• Geography and Climate: Tunisia is the smallest country on the North African coast, with a population of just over 10 million inhabitants, approximately 60% of whom live in urban areas, boasting one of the continent's highest living standards. Tunis is the capital and largest city (with around two million inhabitants in and around the city itself). Due to its relatively small size, all destinations within Tunisia can be reached within a day's drive. Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate. Along the northern coast, summers are hot and dry, while winters are warm and rainy. In the northwest, there are occasional snowfalls in the mountains. Southern Tunisia is hotter and drier, transitioning into a semi-desert region where the Sahara begins. In some areas, there are oases with giant palm trees and small vegetable gardens. • Religion: Approximately 99% of the population is Muslim, primarily of the Sunni Islam faith, which is the main religion and state religion. Tunisia also has a small Christian population, consisting of Roman Catholics, members of the Greek Orthodox Church, and French and English Protestants. Additionally, a small population of Sephardic Jews resides in the country. • Economy: Unlike its neighbors Algeria and Libya, Tunisia does not have vast hydrocarbon reserves. However, it has prospered through longstanding government policies aimed at developing industry, tourism, and agriculture. Simultaneously, social programs limit population growth, ensure a high level of education, and provide a relatively decent standard of living for all. Agricultural and mining products, generating over 11 billion dollars annually, constitute the largest percentage of Tunisian exports. France and Italy are Tunisia's main export partners. Tunisia is a member of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), the Arab Monetary Fund, and the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA). • Safety and Security: The crime rate is low, but there have been cases of theft. It is permissible to walk alone during the day, but it is advisable to be more cautious at night. Tunisia is still undergoing a critical period of democratic and social transition. The lively political debate has at times turned into localized confrontations between ideological opponents. Although these tensions are not directed at foreigners, it is still important to stay informed about the political situation. Therefore, security advice is consistently provided by the security staff of the DSS and the HCR. Since 2015, there have been no terrorist attacks in Tunisia.