Youth Support Volunteer

Volunteering Finance & Economy

Overview

Support youth entrepreneurship and economic development initiatives in Kyrgyzstan.

You have:

• Experience working with civil society organizations (CSOs), community-based organizations, governmental agencies or local self-government bodies in implementing entrepreneurship, economic development or economically significant projects will be an asset.
• Experience in the design and implementation of youth-oriented projects and programmes at the community or local level desirable.
• Demonstrate experience in local economic development, entrepreneurship and business development and/or job creation is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with business incubation, startup ecosystems, and financial literacy training will be considered an asset.

Contract

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Within the Public Effectiveness and Responsive Institutions cluster (Peace, Accountability, and Justice Programme Area), UNDP implements initiatives designed to empower young people as active drivers of youth and women entrepreneurship, economic development and civic engagement. These efforts aim to strengthen youth’s entrepreneurship skills, youth’s civic engagement in local economic development, nurture their leadership, and promote inclusive youth entrepreneurial, investment and economic development ecosystem. A particular focus will be placed on supporting and expanding Youth Centres as key hubs for personal growth, employment and self-employment opportunities, youth entrepreneurship, economic development initiatives, peer-to-peer business mentorship and B2B networking as well as enhancing young people’s competitiveness in domestic and international labour markets. To advance these objectives, UNDP seeks to engage an International UN Volunteer (UNV) who will play a key role in supporting youth-led economic growth and entrepreneurship initiatives by enhancing youth’s civic engagement and participation in entrepreneurship and economic development. The UNV will support UNDP in building close partnership with municipalities, youth centers, local businesses, civil society organizations and private sector partners to promote youth entrepreneurship and economic development, enhance access to finance and business acceleration training tools, national and international funding instruments, digital and e-commerce and support the sustainability of youth centers as engines of business and economic development. Building upon the existing Youth Centers, this assignment will place a strong emphasis on youth entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, focusing on: • Supporting the design and implementation of youth entrepreneurship programmes • Facilitating access to business development services, start-up support, and finance • Strengthening partnerships between youth centers, private sector actors, vocational institutions, business incubators and associations and regional business development and investment councils
• Promoting youth-led social enterprises and community-based innovation projects. By fostering youth entrepreneurship and economic development, job creation, and youth-responsive institutions, the UN Volunteer will contribute to building resilient, economically empowered, and peaceful communities across Kyrgyzstan.

Under the supervision of the UNDP Senior Advisor on Social Cohesion, the International UN Volunteer will support youth-related and youth engagement initiatives that contribute to more youth-responsive entrepreneurial ecosystem and youth-inclusive economic development.

Key responsibilities include:  Support in strengthening the leadership capacities of youth-led CSOs, youth centres, and community leaders for meaningful civic engagement and participation in local economic development, business, entrepreneurship and investment development.  Support in facilitating collaboration among local businesses, investors, private sector, including youth-led CSOs, youth centres, and young entrepreneurs, young creators (Jashtar Jaratman) to promote increased employment and self-employment opportunities, B2B cooperation and partnerships.  Support in enhancing youth’s civic participation and engagement in local decision-making for local economic development and improving entrepreneurial ecosystem.  Support the design and implementation of inclusive local social and economic entrepreneurship initiatives that unite diverse community members and promote tolerance, solidarity and youth’s civic responsibility.  Support in promoting digital and e-commerce for increased youth’s business, entrepreneurship and trade opportunities.
 Contribute to implementing youth entrepreneurship in targeted areas.  Support in community dialogues on youth inclusion, access to finance and improved public service delivery positively impacting youth entrepreneurship, B2B business networking and economic development.

In addition, UN Volunteers are encouraged to promote the spirit of volunteerism through:  Participation in UNV learning and advocacy activities (e.g., International Volunteer Day).  Support UNDP within UN Youth Thematic Group.  Promotion of community-based volunteer practices.  Documentation and sharing of field experiences through UNV publications.  Mentoring new volunteers.  Encouraging local actors to engage with the UNV Online Volunteering platform.

Expected results  Timely submission of monthly and quarterly plans and progress reports in line with the project Annual Work Plan (AWP).  Supported activities aimed at strengthening partnerships among CSOs, youth organizations, and local authorities.  Supported activities aimed at increased youth’s civic participation and engagement in local economic development, business and entrepreneurship development.  Supported activities in improving responsiveness of local governance structures to youth focused businesses, entrepreneurship and economic development.  Facilitated community dialogues and coordination platforms promoting B2B partner-ship s and networking among young entrepreneurs, youth-businesses and local finance institutions and youth civic engagement on the affairs of local economic development, youth responsive investments, innovation, creativity, regional development, digital and e-commerce.  Facilitated volunteerism practices as a driver of youth entrepreneurship, economic development, youth-responsive and inclusive governance and development.

☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Empowering Others ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Leadership ☒ Managing Performance ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Working in Teams

 Experience working with civil society organizations (CSOs), community-based organizations, governmental agencies or local self-government bodies in implementing entrepreneurship, economic development or economically significant projects will be an asset.  Experience in the design and implementation of youth-oriented projects and programmes at the community or local level desirable.  Demonstrate experience in local economic development, entrepreneurship and busi-ness development and/or job creation is highly desirable.  Familiarity with business incubation, startup ecosystems, and financial literacy training will be considered an asset.

Bishkek is the largest city in and the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The living conditions in Bishkek are generally comfortable and safe. The city offers a relatively high quality of life with good access to affordable housing, public transportation, healthcare, and essential services. Bishkek experiences a continental climate, with cold, snowy winters (temperatures can drop to –15°C) and hot, dry summers (up to 35°C), so appropriate seasonal clothing is necessary. The security situation is stable, and the city is considered safe for international staff, though basic precautions are advised, especially at night. Bishkek has a growing number of cafes, restaurants, gyms, and cultural venues, as well as reliable internet connectivity and access to regional and international flights, making it a convenient and pleasant duty station.

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 months ago - Updated 5 months ago - Source: unv.org