Consultant for SADC Youth Employment Strategy Development

Job Posting Organization:
The consultancy is being conducted in partnership with the UNFPA ESARO AY Team and the SADC Secretariat. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a Regional Economic Community established in 1992, comprising 16 Member States. Its mission is to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development through efficient systems, deeper cooperation, good governance, and durable peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. SADC aims to create a middle- to high-income industrialized region by 2050, where all citizens enjoy sustainable economic well-being, justice, and freedom.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based, and implementable Youth Employment Strategy (YES) and Action Plan for the SADC region. This initiative is crucial due to the high rates of youth unemployment, which pose significant challenges to economic prosperity and social stability. The consultant will conduct primary and secondary research, engage with stakeholders, and develop a strategy that integrates youth employment into macroeconomic and sectoral policies. The ultimate goal is to enhance employment opportunities for young women and men, thereby contributing to the realization of the demographic dividend in alignment with regional frameworks on education, health, gender equality, and youth development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a comprehensive situational analysis of youth employment in SADC, disaggregated by sex, age, and sector. They will review existing policies and programs, identify constraints and opportunities for youth integration into productive sectors, and develop a Youth Employment Strategy anchored in decent work principles. The consultant will also create a costed Action Plan with clear implementation arrangements, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and resource mobilization strategies. Additionally, they will facilitate consultations with Member States and partners, including youth organizations, and ensure that the strategy is validated through stakeholder engagement.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in economics, labour economics, development studies, or a relevant social science discipline. They should have strong analytical skills and practical experience in employment, labour, and youth programming. Excellent communication and presentation skills are essential, and fluency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of SADC policies and strategies, as well as experience in policy development, research, and monitoring and evaluation processes, is required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is also necessary.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in a relevant field such as economics, labour economics, development studies, or social sciences is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of youth employment and economic development in the SADC region.

Experience:
A minimum of 10 years of experience in employment policy, youth development, labour market analysis, or related areas is required. Experience in international or regional development work, particularly in the Southern Africa subregion, is considered a major asset. Candidates should demonstrate a strong track record in conducting both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, as well as report writing and workshop facilitation skills.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of French and Portuguese is considered an added advantage, as it may facilitate communication with a broader range of stakeholders across the SADC region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will be conducted remotely, with a maximum duration of 40 workdays. All deliverables must be submitted by 31 August 202

• The consultant will be required to submit an inception report, conduct a situational analysis, draft the strategy and action plan, and facilitate validation meetings. Regular consultations with the SADC Secretariat will be necessary to ensure alignment with regional priorities. The work environment at UNFPA promotes gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.