National Consultant on Youth Participation, Leadership and Advisory Mechanism

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading UN agency that aims to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, focusing on reproductive health, gender equality, and youth empowerment. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of individuals and ensuring that everyone has access to essential health services, education, and opportunities for personal development. UNFPA employs thousands of professionals worldwide, working collaboratively with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to achieve its mission.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant on Youth Participation, Leadership and Advisory Mechanism will play a pivotal role in establishing a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) in Ukraine. This position requires close collaboration with UNFPA Ukraine, the Youth Sectoral Working Group (SWG), relevant government bodies, and youth stakeholders. The consultant will be responsible for developing frameworks that promote youth participation, governance, and inclusion, ensuring that the YAB is practical, inclusive, and sustainable. The consultant will also create a structured learning and leadership package for youth, focusing on essential skills such as policy engagement, advocacy, and communication. The role involves establishing a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of youth participation and providing technical guidance throughout the implementation process. The consultant will report directly to the Deputy Representative of UNFPA Ukraine and will be instrumental in ensuring that the YAB operates effectively and sustainably beyond the consultancy period.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop the YAB Participation, Governance, and Inclusion Framework, defining its purpose, membership, roles, and responsibilities.
• Create a Recruitment and Inclusion Framework to ensure diverse representation, targeting underrepresented groups.
• Design a YAB Learning and Leadership Package that provides a comprehensive 12-month learning pathway for youth.
• Establish a Youth Participation, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Framework to assess the quality and impact of youth engagement.
• Translate frameworks into a practical 1-year YAB Implementation Roadmap, detailing recruitment, onboarding, and engagement activities.
• Provide technical guidance and quality assurance during the establishment and implementation phases, including reviewing plans and conducting learning reviews.
• Document emerging good practices and lessons learned, providing recommendations for sustaining the YAB mechanism post-consultancy.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in social sciences, international development, public policy, youth development, public health, or a related field. Additional qualifications in youth participation, leadership, program design, monitoring and evaluation, or social inclusion are advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of youth engagement principles and frameworks, as well as experience in developing governance arrangements and selection processes for youth initiatives.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in relevant fields such as social sciences, international development, public policy, youth development, public health, development studies, education, sociology, psychology, or human rights is required. Additional qualifications or expertise in youth participation and leadership are beneficial.

Experience:
At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in youth participation, youth development, or related fields is required. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in designing youth advisory mechanisms, developing participation frameworks, and working with diverse groups of young people. Experience in monitoring and evaluation frameworks, particularly in youth empowerment and governance programs, is essential. Familiarity with the Ukrainian youth policy landscape and experience in humanitarian or conflict-affected contexts are highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in Ukrainian or Russian is highly desirable. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in enhancing communication with diverse youth groups.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position offers a competitive remuneration package, including health insurance and other benefits. UNFPA promotes a work environment that values gender equality, diversity, and integrity, encouraging applications from women and underrepresented groups. The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process. The position may involve background checks, medical clearance, and other administrative requirements.