Youth Programme Officer

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Position Title: Youth Programme Officer
Location: Paris
Country: France
Deadline Date: 10-MAR-2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was established to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international cooperation in education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. The organization comprises 194 Member States and 12 Associate Members, employing over 2,300 staff members from more than 170 nationalities at its Headquarters in Paris and 54 field offices worldwide. UNESCO's mission includes promoting knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to enhance cross-cultural mutual understanding. The organization is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by youth through its Youth Programme, which aims to strengthen the capacities of youth stakeholders and support youth actions, networks, and spaces to develop and implement youth-focused policies and programs.

Job Overview:
The Youth Programme Officer will work under the overall authority of the director-general" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences and will be responsible for implementing, monitoring, and reporting on various projects and programs related to youth as a priority group. This role involves providing recommendations on project feasibility, identifying potential collaborations, and ensuring effective communication among teams, colleagues, and stakeholders. The incumbent will contribute to reinforcing youth as a priority group within UNESCO and with external partners, oversee youth program projects, and ensure technical support for the development and implementation of youth projects. The position requires keeping abreast of developments in the field of youth to advise governments and stakeholders on policy, project development, and best practices. The work will align with UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy and global development plans such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Contribute to reinforcing youth as a priority group within UNESCO and with external partners.
• Oversee youth programme projects, including thematic responsibilities, advocacy, organization of events (such as the UNESCO Youth Forum), and meetings, as well as resource mobilization and partnerships.
• Manage administrative tasks related to youth projects, ensuring compliance with organizational standards.
• Provide technical support for the development and implementation of youth projects, including managing contracts and finances.
• Coordinate staff involved in youth projects and oversee monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Conduct research on emerging youth issues to develop a knowledge base.
• Propose collaborative projects and engage in policy discussions to strengthen youth as a priority group.
• Advise governments, ministries, youth stakeholders, partners, and colleagues on policy, project development, and best practices.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social and human sciences, humanities, law, political sciences, international relations, communications, economics, or other related areas in the field of social sciences. Candidates must have a minimum of four (4) years of progressive professional experience relevant to research in social sciences, social policy, and social transformation, with at least two years acquired at the international level. Proven experience in leading high-quality research and analysis on related themes, as well as experience in fundraising and resource mobilization mechanisms, is essential. Candidates should also have experience managing knowledge-led programs and projects on related themes.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in fields such as social and human sciences, humanities, law, political sciences, international relations, communications, economics, or other relevant areas in the social sciences. A Ph.D. or equivalent in social sciences, economics, public policy, or other relevant fields is desirable.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four (4) years of progressive professional experience relevant to research in social sciences, social policy, and social transformation, with a preference for at least two years of experience at the international level. Candidates should have proven experience in leading high-quality research and analysis on related themes, as well as experience in fundraising and resource mobilization mechanisms.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English is mandatory, along with good knowledge of French. Knowledge of other UNESCO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and/or Spanish) is considered desirable.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract for a duration of 2 years, renewable. The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 98,367 USD. UNESCO offers a range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. Candidates must complete an online application and provide complete and accurate information. The evaluation process may include tests and assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity and encourages applications from candidates from non- and under-represented Member States, individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities. All applications will be treated with confidentiality.