Youth Empowerment 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.

Sierra Leone is a low‐income country with a youthful population. According to Statistics Sierra Leone, the majority of the population in Sierra Leone is young, with eight out of ten people being under 35 years old. There is a dearth of good‐quality jobs, particularly amongst the youth. According to the country’s most recent labour force survey, 55.7 percent of individuals ages 15–35 participate in the labour force, deriving labour income mainly from self‐employment. One of the avenues of creating employment is skilling unemployed and unskilled youth for improved employability. Additionally, entrepreneurship as another option that presents a suitable and empowering alternative to the persistent challenge of unemployment and underemployment amongst youth. These options offer significant scope to increase job opportunities and income diversification.

One of the key focus areas for UNDP Sierra Leone Country Office is Youth Empowerment through dedicated Programmes and Projects. In this vein, UNDP Sierra Leone through the Sustainable and Local Economic Development (SLED) Portfolio is supporting the Government of Sierra Leone's efforts working with other partners to create economic opportunities in high potential sectors of agriculture, digital economy, tourism, and blue economy, targeting youth and other most vulnerable populations including women and persons with disabilities.

The Sierra Leone Country Office is seeking services of an experienced and competent Youth Empowerment Officer to support the implementation of its Youth Programme. The Youth Empowerment Officer who will support the Youth Technical Specialist and report to the Team Leader of Sustainable and Local Economic Development Portfolio with overall guidance from the Resident Representative and Deputy Resident Representative.

Sustainable Development Goals:

• No Poverty (SDG 1)
• Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
• Gender Equality (SDG 5)
• Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
• Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)

• Support the implementation of Country Office Youth Programmes and projects including both the administrative and programmatic management aspects of designing new youth empowerment initiatives, planning, monitoring, and others) while adhering to the procedures, rules, and regulations of UN; • Preparation of documentation for Youth Programmes and Projects, these shall include but will not be limited to, relevant terms of references, concepts, proposals, and synthetic briefs. • Follow up on the Youth Programmes and Projects progress in line with the approved work plans; • Provide support in the monitoring and evaluation of the Youth Programmes and Projects; • Support field level monitoring of Implementation partners of the Youth Programmes and Projects; • Provide support and follow up with the Implementing Partners and Responsible parties on matters regarding the implementation of the Youth Programmes and Projects; • Identify and disseminate best practices on youth empowerment, with a focus on employability, entrepreneurship, and youth-led actions. • Provide briefings highlighting the substantive issues arising, risks, and others regarding the implementation of Youth Programmes and Projects that may require attention of the UNDP senior management.

Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards; Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies: Development and Operational Effectiveness: Ability to support planning, results-based management, and reporting Ability to support formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation development programmes and projects, mobilize resources; Good knowledge of the Results Management Methods; Strong IT skills.

Management and Leadership: Focuses on impact and results for client and responds positively to feedback; Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive constructive attitude; Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills; Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Knowledge Management and Learning: Promotes knowledge management in the UN and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example; Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Programme and project management;

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages; • Experience in handling of web-based management systems for project management and financial control systems; • Knowledge of UN policies and procedures is an advantage.

Freetown is the capital city of Sierra Leone, situated on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. The country recently suffered the worst Ebola Virus outbreak in the history of Sierra Leone and probably in Africa. Consequently, leading to economic and social shocks.

The country is however, slowly recovering from these joint shocks of the Ebola Virus Disease and a collapse of world iron ore prices. Sierra Leone is generally safe, the security level is low, and the society is very religiously tolerant. Freetown is a family duty station.

The cost of living for expatriates is generally fair, and there are good supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels available. There are good communication services, including mobile and internet services, available with a fair price. Local and regional banks deal in both local and foreign currencies.

ATMs are available, and credit cards are accepted in some establishments. However, this is generally a cash economy.

Freetown has a tropical climate, with very high rainfall in the rainy season, Sierra Leone boasts the finest beaches in West Africa, within easy reach of Freetown, with excellent seafood, surfing, and sunshine.