UN Programme Management Contractor - Youth Affairs

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Youth Office was established by General Assembly resolution 76/306 as a dedicated entity for youth affairs within the United Nations Secretariat. Its mission is to lead system-wide coordination on youth, strengthen advocacy and policy coherence on youth issues across the United Nations, and promote the meaningful engagement of young people in United Nations processes and decision-making. The Office operates globally, engaging with various UN entities and external partners to enhance youth participation in multilateral processes and decision-making.

Job Overview:
The individual contractor will play a crucial role in the planning, coordination, and implementation of the inaugural UN Youth Townhall, which aims to enhance meaningful youth engagement in technology, innovation, and digital cooperation. This position will involve providing programme management and substantive support to the Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications Section during a period of parental leave, focusing on two primary areas: the management of the Youth Townhall and the promotion of youth engagement in policy dialogues related to technology and innovation. The contractor will work closely with various stakeholders, including UN entities and youth organizations, to ensure effective programme management and to develop frameworks for assessing the impact of the Townhall.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Chief of the Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications Section, the individual contractor will be responsible for:

• UN Youth Townhall Coordination and Programme Management: - Supporting day-to-day programme management for the planning and implementation of the inaugural UN Youth Townhall. - Coordinating implementation across internal workstreams, individual contractors, UN entities, and external partners contributing to the Townhall. - Developing and maintaining project plans, implementation timelines, coordination mechanisms, and tracking tools to ensure timely delivery of key milestones. - Developing practical monitoring, evaluation, and impact frameworks to assess participation, stakeholder engagement, outputs, commitments, and follow-up associated with the Townhall. - Coordinating preparation of concept notes, agendas, briefing materials, talking points, meeting summaries, and other programme documentation. - Supporting engagement and coordination with Member States, UN entities, youth organizations, speakers, and strategic partners participating in the Townhall. - Monitoring implementation of agreed follow-up actions and maintaining project management documentation throughout the planning and delivery process. - Supporting programme coordination before, during, and following the Townhall, including on-site support as required.
• Technology, Innovation, and Meaningful Youth Engagement: - Supporting implementation of the Office's work on meaningful youth engagement in technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital cooperation. - Monitoring developments across relevant UN intergovernmental and policy processes relating to technology, digital governance, and innovation, identifying opportunities for meaningful youth participation. - Serving as the Section's focal point for engagement with relevant partners and entities, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Office of Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET), Global Digital Compact implementation processes, the UN Innovation Network, and other relevant stakeholders. - Coordinating substantive inputs, briefing materials, and policy analysis related to innovation, emerging technologies, and digital cooperation. - Supporting engagement with youth-led organizations, young experts, and partners working at the intersection of technology, innovation, and youth. - Working closely with communications colleagues to connect outreach and advocacy efforts on AI and future-ready skills with opportunities for young people to engage in technology policy and multilateral processes.
• Programme Management and Substantive Support: - Conducting research and preparing analytical inputs, briefing notes, and written materials related to assigned workstreams. - Supporting coordination across UN entities and external partners contributing to Section priorities. - Contributing to internal planning, reporting, and programme management processes. - Performing other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international relations, public policy, political science, public administration, development studies, innovation, technology policy, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, at least two years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, policy, international development, or related fields is required. Demonstrated experience supporting multilateral processes, stakeholder engagement, or intergovernmental coordination is desirable, as is experience coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives or international events. Experience working on issues related to youth policy, technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, or digital cooperation is also desirable, along with experience developing monitoring, evaluation, or results-tracking frameworks.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as international relations, public policy, political science, public administration, development studies, innovation, technology policy, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree, providing flexibility in educational qualifications.

Experience:
The position requires at least two years of progressively responsible experience in programme management, policy, international development, or related fields. Candidates should have demonstrated experience supporting multilateral processes, stakeholder engagement, or intergovernmental coordination. Experience coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives or international events is also desirable, as well as experience working on issues related to youth policy, technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, or digital cooperation. Additionally, experience in developing monitoring, evaluation, or results-tracking frameworks is considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required for this position. Proficiency in other UN languages is desirable, which may enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders within the United Nations system and beyond.

Additional Notes:
The expected duration of the contract is from September to December 202

• The position is full-time and involves working closely with various UN entities and external partners. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.