YouthConnekt Officer

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.

Description of task

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager -Empowerment of Youth and Women and overall guidance of the Programme Specialist - Support to the Fulfilment of Human Rights, Access to Justice and the Empowerment of Women and Youth, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks under the Botswana YouthConnekt platform:

1. Support entrepreneurship development

The focus is on the creation of sustainable job environments in emerging industries. Implementation of the pillar will be carried out mostly in partnership with the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) and the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development (MYSC). The model will entail a tailoring of UNDP’s support to Small, Medium-sized Enterprises through the Supplier Development Programme to address the capacity development needs of youth-led start-ups and beneficiaries of the Youth Development Fund. Programmes and events under this component will need careful designing adapted to the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Activities that will fall under this section include:

1. Assisting with the design and hosting Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camps or prgrammes to empower selected youth entrepreneurs with relevant skills;

2. Assisting with the Hosting Youth Business Accelerators

Youth are assisted in the areas of; product and market development, exposure to investors, business development and growth, industry linkages, etc.;

3. Supporting the organisation and hosting Annual Youth Innovator Awards

Recognition for the best business plans from the bootcamp participants at an awards ceremony;

4. Assisting Organizing and hosting Annual Youth Conventions

Youth targeted conferences and exhibitions for showcasing products, and services, from the youth; and

5. Supporting the organisation and hosting Annual Champions Awards

Recognition for the best institutions (both public and private) who are committed and contribute greatly towards youth economic empowerment, in the country.

2. Assist with the Networking and Conversations Platform

This pillar will focus on character building of the programme participants and on nurturing leaders that provide solutions, participate in advocacy and become role models in their communities. Implementation of the pillar will be carried out mostly in partnership with MYSC.

Activities that will fall under this section include:

1. Supporting the facilitation of YouthConnekt Months for Character Building purposes

e.g. CSR Volunteerism by youth entrepreneurs to have a positive impact in the economies they live in; and

2. Supporting the facilitation of and participation in Youth Dialogues

Countrywide dialogues with youth on matters affecting them.

3. Participate in the Provision of Digital Spaces

This area focuses on facilitating virtual communication, networking and trade. Implementation of the pillar will be carried out mostly in partnership with the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH).

Activities that will fall under this section include:

1. Assisting with the Provision of Open Access Co - Creation Spaces

The BIH Icon building is an innovation enabling environment in that its design allows continuous interaction of innovators. It is built as an open access facility with dedicated “hot desking” facilities intended for start-up companies and individuals. There are training rooms that allow networking;

2. Participating in the Hosting of Digital Youth Information Hubs

A Resources Centre, which will be domiciled at the BIH, for instant virtual reach out to youth across all districts of Botswana. Relevant / topical information will be shared accordingly;

3. Supporting the Conduction of Digital Transformations & Hackathons

Botswana Innovation Hub has adopted an open innovation framework that allows for competitive means of sourcing the most innovative and cost-effective solutions from solution providers to solutions seekers. The process includes challenges, competitions through hack-a-thons, map-a-thons, make-a-thons amongst others. BIH proposes that to conduct hackathons or crowdsource ideas from the public and private sector to address specific challenges related to the problem/ challenge/opportunities presented by covid-19. The hackathons will be themed and timed with clear deliverables and objectives. The expectation is for the innovation process to afford both BIH, UNDP and innovators the flexibility to respond to the environmental, strategic, organizational and cultural changes with speed. The winning team will have an opportunity to be assisted to implement its solution through BIH incubation programme which boost of skilled and experienced personnel as well as industry experts; and

4. Supporting the Facilitation of Virtual Hangouts

YouthConnekt Hangout is a channel for Youth, ICT players, etc. to contribute to the country development agenda through debates. The Google+ Hangout sessions, organized on a monthly basis, link a main hub with remote locations across the country, bringing Youth into the digital fold and connecting them to experts, policy makers, social innovators and other relevant players. Unique software will be used for this activity.

The support in partnership with BIH, will deliver specially designed training modules, mentorship and coaching to ensure YDF grantees and youth entrepreneurs build the right characters and skillsets to lead impactful enterprises and become the drivers of their own futures. Across the country, MYSC has established youth libraries which UNDP and partners have supported to ensure adequate access to technology and online services. These youth libraries will serve as hubs for the YouthConnekt participants and platforms through which the project will run its virtual hangouts and youth dialogues. This will allow youth who do not have access to internet at home, to participate and therefore lower the barrier of access. The project will establish YouthConnekt hubs and co-working space to be housed by BIH in Gaborone. The spaces will be managed by the YouthConnekt project officers, who will coordinate the network, support with access to information and provide one-on-one mentoring.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:

Bachelor degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments:

Knowledge of business administration or entrepreneurship studies would be advantageous.

Required experience:

Experience remark:

• Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to 2 years) in business administration, entrepreneurship, marketing, digitization, youth development and job creation;

  Experience from youth organisations, cooperatives or community service;

  Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
• Setswana(Optional), Level - Working Knowledge

Area of expertise:

Other development programme/project experience

Area of expertise details:

Learning Expectations

Learning and development are a central part of the UN Youth Volunteer’s assignment and take place before, during and after his or her assignment in the field. Ideally, offering diverse opportunities for learning and development aim to strengthen the volunteer’s skills and competences, improve the quality of the assignment and keep the volunteer’s motivation high.

Learning elements for the UN Youth Volunteer include the development of:

• Professional skills: including specific competencies and reflection on assignment-related abilities; and on-the-job skills such as time management, problem solving, team building; and career preparedness such as interview skills, CV preparation, job searching.
• Inter-personal skills: including communication and listening skills; multi-cultural awareness and cultural competency; and conflict and stress management.
• Volunteering-related skills: including leadership; civic responsibility; and engagement and active participation.

Beyond the learning opportunities provided by UNV, the host agency will support knowledge and capacity development in the technical areas that are relevant to the UN Youth Volunteer’s assignment. The host agency will provide, at its expense, UN Youth Volunteers with equal opportunity to participate in training courses and workshops offered to its personnel.

Driving license:

No

Competencies values:

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams

Application procedure:

Prerequisites

This assignment is funded by the Government of the Russian Federation, therefore only Russian nationals are eligible to apply.

This is a UN Youth Volunteer assignment and eligible candidates must be below 29 years of age throughout the assignment.

Selection process

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment, via competency-based interviews held via skype or telephone.

Selected candidates will be invited to an assignment preparation training.

How to apply

Please apply via the link below. You can then either log in if you already have an account or register via ‘Candidate Signup’.

You may apply to a maximum of three assignments per advertisement and indicate your order of preference in the ‘Additional Remarks’ section of your profile.

Application deadline: 6 December 2020