Youth Engagement Specialist

Volunteering

Overview

Support youth engagement initiatives and climate action in Samoa

You have:

• Bachelor's degree in development studies, social science, political science, international relations, climate studies, or related field
• Experience in project design and management, community outreach, and/or youth engagement to advance the social, political and economic inclusion of youth
• Experience in communications, event planning and report drafting
• Experience working with Governments, NGOs, CSOs or higher education institutions on youth empowerment
• Previous experience in volunteering and involvement in youth groups
• Previous experience with inclusion, equity and diversity

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.

The context of youth empowerment

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the key role of youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and calls for action against the challenges faced by young people that limits their economic, social and political inclusion. To-day, young people are more connected and more informed 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 inflation, cost of education, restrained job markets, early family responsibilities, long-lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other sociopolitical challenges leave many young people at the risk of economic insecurity. Today’s youth is the front liner generation to climate change, who will have to cope and respond to its direct impacts during their lifetime. In addition, young people tend to be left out of decision-making processes that will shape their future, which further contributes to their exclusion. The youth needs to not only benefit equally from development initiatives, but also have the opportunity to reach their full potential as agents of change in their communities.

The modalities of the United Nations Volunteering

UNDP and the MWCSD of Samoa are partnering to recruit a national United Nations Volunteer to support their work on youth engagement and empowerment in Samoa. (S)he will conduct activities to strengthen youth engagement in community projects and in climate action, through supporting the implementation of MWCSD projects, the Youth Engagement project design and fundraising, communications, and monitoring and evaluation. The time of the UNV will be shared among the two host entities, spending 60% of their working time at the MWCSD of Samoa (3 days a week) and 40% at UNDP (2 days a week).

Under the direct supervision of the MCO Assistant Resident Representative for the Governance and Prosperity Unit and guidance from the CEO of MWCSD, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development in their youth engagement initiatives: • Support the design and implementation of community outreach and consultations, with a focus on youth’s active participation • Support the organization of youth-targeted and youth-led projects activities. • Contribute to the data collection informing the Monitoring and Evaluation framework of undertaken projects. • Support the communications efforts, in English and Samoan, to best reach the target youth audience and to showcase best practices of youth engagement.

2. Support the UNDP MCO in building a youth engagement project portfolio with focus on green transformation: • Develop and support youth engagement in UNDP’s Pacific Green Transformation Project aiming to help Samoa transition to low-carbon mobility. • Work with the regional UNDP Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Plat-form (YECAP) and other youth empowerment initiatives such as Youth Co:Lab and Movers programme to identify entry points for these initiative in Samoa. • Produce a youth leadership mapping in Samoa compiling contacts and case studies of youth activists, youth groups, youth-led and youth-targeted development initiatives on climate and social topics. • Collect lessons learned and best practices on youth engagement from other UNDP country offices (including on convening Youth Parliaments), facilitating knowledge exchange in the Asia-Pacific region, in partnership with the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. • In collaboration with the UNDP Governance and Poverty Reduction Unit and the Environment and Climate Change Unit, and in consultations with partners, develop project concept notes on youth employment, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and youth-led activism on climate and social issues, exploring synergies with other UNDP priorities such as gender equality between young women and men. • Support the organization of a Policy Dialogue on youth engagement in Samoa reuniting a variety of stakeholders including youth representatives, community leaders, and experts • Support communications material on youth engagement for the MCO.

☒ 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 science, political science, international relations, climate studies, or other related field Experience in project design and management, community outreach, and/or youth engagement to advance the social, political and economic inclusion of youth. Experience in communications, event planning and report drafting. Experience in working in Governments, NGOs, CSOs or higher education institutions on youth empowerment. Previous experience in volunteering and involvement in youth groups is an asset Previous experience with inclusion, equity and diversity is an asset

Samoa is an island country located in the Polynesian South Pacific subregion. Approximately 200,000 people reside in Samoa by the latest 2021 Population and Housing Census. Apia is the capital of Samoa, and the most populated area of the country. The climate is tropical, with the cyclone season running from May/June through October/November. Samoan and English are the two national languages.
The cost of living in Samoa is 1.76 less expensive than the world average but still ranked 155th out of 197 countries by cost of living. Samoa is a car-dependent country with few public transportation options.

The UNV Specialist will be hosted 3 days a week at the MWCSD Office and 2 days a week at the UNDP Office. (S)he will be provided with a working desk and a computer for professional use.

The purpose of allowances for UN Volunteers is to enable them to sustain a modest and secure standard of living at the duty station. The allowances are in no way to be understood as a compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work. • Monthly Living Allowance: WST 2200.74 • Entry Lump Sum: USD 400 • Medical and life insurance (Cigna) • Leave entitlements (annual leave, sick leave, learning leave, maternity/ paternity leave – details can be found in the Conditions of Service: https://explore.unv.org/cos • Access to UNV's learning and career development resources • Exit Lump Sum: WST 183.40 for each month served, paid on completion of contract

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org