Youth Meaningful Engagement Assistant

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.

“Leave No One Behind” (LNOB) is anchored in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Strategic Plan for 2022-2025. This working principle allows UNDP to embody its mandate on providing a more inclusive world through forging strong institutions, building democratic governance, effective partnerships, and strategic programming.

UNDP’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy 2023-2025 is a long-term approach to achieving “lasting transformation” for UNDP and in its mission across the globe, and leverages on intersectionality, which pays respect and value to the multiple overlapping dimensions of UNDP’s workforce which will help shape an even more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace and organization.

Within the 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.

At present, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion output includes activities to meaningfully engage and empower youth from LGBTI+ communities, Young people on the move, Indigenous Youth, and Young people living with disabilities. The disproportionate consequences faced by these groups due to effects of climate change necessitates that climate action ensures their meaningful inclusion and empowerment, prioritizing the climate vulnerable. The Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP) was established to ensure that young people, who have been calling for more urgent action on the climate agenda, are not ignored. Young people are often marginalized and excluded from the decision-making processes that will shape their futures, with youth from marginalized communities facing compounded exclusion. The Youth UNV will work as part of the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH) Youth Unit, particularly supporting cross cutting DEI activities implemented by the project in nexus with climate action.

Under the direct supervision of Regional Youth Project Manager of UNDP BRH and Youth Development Analyst of UNDP China, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Assist in conducting learning programmes to improve the understanding of DEI • Support on strengthening communities of practice, learning exchanges around Youth, Climate Action, and DEI • Support on improving existing content related to DEI in the Movers Youth Skills Development Programme, especially around adaption for climate action, and localizing the content in China • Conducting train-the-trainer workshops to youth leaders coming from underrepresented sectors for UNDP BRH and UNDP China • Coordinate development of strategy for promotion of DEI in climate action and support the identification of entry points and opportunities for strengthening DEI focus in climate action, particularly for currently underserved groups, through research and analysis • Support in coordination of other "Leave No One Behind" activities, including program design, implementation, and evaluation • Assist in developing program around meaningful youth engagement (MYE) in Climate Action in UNDP BRH and UNDP China • Contribute to research and identifying various approaches for meaningful youth engagement in climate action with focus on DEI • Support in developing the content to facilitate knowledge exchange among UNDP Country offices, partners and youth networks • Establish and nurture strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, youth networks, and regional organizations, to enhance collaboration at the nexus of DEI and Climate Change • Support in developing partnership proposals, and relevant communication materials for engaging external partners to support the programming approaches on MYE • Contribute to the preparation of high-quality reports, policy briefs, and knowledge products on meaningful youth engagement (MYE), Youth and Climate Action

2. Assist in engaging DEI community on Youth and Climate Action • Support on engaging youth from marginalized communities for YECAP, including through legal empowerment and disseminating safety training for young environmental human right defenders; • Assist in strengthening the community of practice for colleagues working on Indigenous Issues across UNDP in Asia-Pacific, as well as regional exchanges between relevant stakeholders and UNDP country teams to share best practice and lessons learned;

3. Any other related tasks as require 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 from marginalized group engaged through YECAP and DEI in Asia-Pacific and China Train-the-trainer workshops conducted for youth from underrepresented sectors in Asia-Pacific and China Curriculums/toolkits on DEI localized in Asia-Pacific and 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

International Relations, Public Administration and related fields • Experience in youth empowerment, climate action and/or DEI issues is an asset; • Experience working with youth organizations, community development and professional experience in supporting DEI activities in countries within Asia-Pacific region is an asset; • Relevant experience in the areas of strengthening marginalised communities, youth development, education, vocational development, social inclusion and development; • Sound understanding of sustainable development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Community Empowerment, Power structures etc.

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.