Youth Engagement Assistant in Green Economy and Just Transition

Contract

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

In the recent past, we are witnessing increased interest, engagement, and activism by young people towards the climate agenda. Through climate strikes etc. young people call for governments and other relevant stakeholders to take collective actions on climate change. With this context in mind, it is important to engage the voices of young people and identify actionable initiatives to lay the foundation for ambitious climate actions.

Meanwhile, governments are also increasing their climate ambitions leading up to the COP28 and youth inclusion in this agenda has increased from 40% in 2015 to 75% in 2020. To foster this interaction and empower action, UNDP Asia-Pacific in collaboration with UNICEF East Asia and Pacific, UNICEF South Asia, UNFCCC Regional Collaboration – Bangkok, British Council, YOUNGO, Movers Programme and 2030 Youth Force are co-convening a regional platform:

Youth Co:Lab   Youth Co:Lab positions young people front and center in order to solve the region’s most pressing challenges. Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Citi Foundation, Youth Co: Lab aims to establish a common agenda for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to empower and invest in youth so that they can accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation, and entrepreneurship.      Youth Digitalization for Employability and Entrepreneurship Program (YDEEP)   YDEEP aims to create digital pathways and reduce digital inequality for youth, particularly those from underserved communities across Asia-Pacific. YDEEP seeks to support young people’s employability and enable them to thrive as leaders and globally engaged citizens and contribute to sustainable development in their communities and beyond.   

The Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) leverages its global network and South-South Cooperation (SSC) to facilitate mutual knowledge and experience sharing between partner countries on best practices and lessons learned. The UNDP China Youth Strategy 2023-2025 aims to support the BRH to demonstrate new innovative approaches to develop a cohesive portfolio and contribute to BRH’s Youth Empowerment Portfolio Asia-Pacific (YEP-AP) and demonstrate meaningful youth engagement and empowerment aligned with the United Nations Secretary General’s Policy Brief 3 (April 2023) on “Meaningful Youth Engagement in Policy and Decision-making Processes.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Programme Specialist - Civil Society and Youth, and Youth Development Analyst of UNDP China, the UN Volunteer - Youth Engagement in a Green Economy and Just Transition Assistant will assist in implementing YECAP Green Jobs Programme work plan, aligned with Youth Co:Lab and YDEEP work plans, via the following activities:     1) Support the partnerships strategy for BRH YECAP Green Jobs Programme:   • Support the partnership development and resources mobilization for BRH YECAP Green Jobs Programme.  • Support the development of concept notes, partnership decks, proposals.  • Consolidate the database of YECAP Green Jobs partners and potential partners across Asia-Pacific.    2) Support the development and implementation of curriculums and training materials on green jobs/skills/employability in Asia-Pacific region:   • Assess the needs, expertise of YECAP, Youth Co:Lab, and YDEEP stake-holders related to green skills/jobs and employability.  • Co-develop curriculums and training materials based on consultations and alignment with YECAP, Youth Co:Lab, and YDEEP stakeholders.   • The curriculums developed will be used as training materials for key regional youth events/platforms like Youth Co:Lab and YDEEP Learning Management Systems, joint webinars with YEP-AP stakeholders, Springboard Plus, Movers Programme, etc.      3) Mobilize and engage youth and youth organizations for green jobs, green economy and just transition in Asia-Pacific region:  • Organize, facilitate and/or coordinate at least 12 Movers Workshops on Green Jobs for Youth and provide mentorship to at least 10 YECAP volunteers to conduct similar workshops.  • Build a community of young climate leaders and youth organizations interested in the green economy and just transition.  • Support relevant green skills/jobs and employability initiatives from YECAP youth and youth organizations communities.   • Consolidate the database of YECAP Green Jobs activities across Asia-Pacific.    4) Support the implementation of YECAP in China:  • Support the documentation drafting and implementation of YECAP activities in China.  • Mobilize and engage youth and youth organizations from China for YECAP.   • Localize the regional green skills curriculums, toolkits and training materials in China. 

Support any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.   

Furthermore, UNVs are encouraged to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking an active part in UNV activities (for instance, IVD celebration events);
• Get acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking;
• Contribute news and articles on field experiences and submit them to UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UNV volunteers;
• Promote online volunteering and encourage individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering Service whenever technically feasible.

Results/Expected Output:

• Young people benefited, trained and engaged through YECAP and YDEEP • New partners in the youth development ecosystem that has green jobs training   • Curriculums on green jobs, employability localized in Chinese • YECAP activities in China 

☒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

sustainable development, environmental management, social/political sciences, business administration, international relations, or other related expertise areas required. 

Skills and experience description:
• Experience on youth empowerment and/or climate change, green skills/jobs, employability issues is an asset. 
• Sound understanding of sustainable development, social dimension of environmental management issues, climate mitigation and adaptation, climate risks and impacts issues. 
• Experience working with youth organizations, community development and professional experiences in supporting climate action and/or employability for youth in countries within Asia-Pacific region is an asset. 
• Demonstrated experience with working with youth engagement as part of stakeholder engagement is an asset. 

The duty station of the UN Volunteer is located in Bangkok, Thailand. Accessing basic living needs in Bangkok including accommodation, banking facilities, medical facilities and telecommunications/internet services are readily available. Most staple foods can be found in the markets, for example, rice, meat, vegetables, fruit, cooking oil, salt, etc. 

Bangkok has different public transportation options, including the BTS Skytrain and MRT, metered taxis, mobile-based ride-hailing services (Grab, All Thai Taxi, etc.), tuk tuks, motorbike taxis, buses and boats. Mobile phone is the most dependable tool to be in-touch with colleagues and friends. Internet service is readily available and affordable at most apartment complexes.

As this is a UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. International UN Volunteers are part of the meticulous insurance plan with Cigna (please refer to section on Conditions of Service for further details).

In general, rent for apartments in central locations is high relative to other regions in China, but quality is good. Buses and subways are the most common form of mass transportation. Metered taxis are widely available and domestic and regional travels by train and airplane is popular.