Technical Advisor for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing

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Position Title: Technical Advisor for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing
Location: New York
Country: United States
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Youth Office (UNYO) was established in September 2022 following the UN General Assembly resolution 76/30

• This office is dedicated to youth affairs within the UN Secretariat and incorporates the Office of the Envoy of the Secretary-General on Youth (OSGEY). UNYO aims to enhance the United Nations' engagement with youth by providing a robust mandate and dedicated resources from the United Nations Regular Budget for the first time. The office benefits from strong political support from Member States and a stable financial footing, allowing it to effectively advocate for youth issues across various UN pillars, including peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, sustainable development, and human rights. UNYO's mission includes promoting meaningful engagement of youth and youth-led organizations, improving internship and employment conditions for youth in the UN, and utilizing innovative outreach methods such as social media and narrative storytelling to connect with young people.

Job Overview:
The position of Technical Advisor for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing focuses on strengthening institutional capacity by providing technical guidance and support for the development of a global campaign aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing among youth. The role involves conducting comprehensive reviews of existing mental health initiatives at various levels, mapping potential partners for collaboration, and creating a toolkit specifically designed for young people. The advisor will also be responsible for formulating a global campaign strategy and producing a policy brief with actionable recommendations. This position is critical in addressing the mental health challenges faced by youth and ensuring that their voices are included in the development of effective mental health policies and programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Advisor will undertake a variety of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Conducting a thorough review of existing global frameworks and data related to mental health and wellbeing, particularly focusing on young people.
• Mapping stakeholders and potential partners, including UN entities, member states, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to identify their contributions to mental health initiatives and pinpoint existing gaps.
• Contributing to the design and implementation of a Global Campaign and call to action focused on Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing.
• Establishing media partnerships to disseminate information regarding mental health and wellbeing effectively.
• Facilitating cross-collaboration among successful youth mental health interventions, especially those supported by the UN at the national level.
• Producing a policy brief that includes concrete recommendations aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing for youth.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, public health, mental health and wellbeing, education, youth development, psychology, or other related disciplines. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two years of professional experience and relevant academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, particularly in areas related to mental health, youth development, policy research, or advocacy. Experience in stakeholder mapping, policy analysis, and campaign development is considered desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in fields pertinent to the role, such as social sciences, public health, mental health and wellbeing, education, youth development, or psychology. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by sufficient professional experience, demonstrating the candidate's capability to fulfill the responsibilities of the position effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience. This experience should encompass work related to mental health, youth development, policy research, or advocacy. Candidates should also have demonstrated experience in stakeholder mapping, policy analysis, and campaign development, which are essential for the successful execution of the role's responsibilities.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in other UN languages is considered desirable, as it may enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders and partners involved in mental health initiatives.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of six months. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Furthermore, the UN does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts, ensuring a transparent and fair recruitment process.