Professional in Institutional Strengthening for Youth Participation

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Colombia, which is dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of young people in the country. The organization works in alignment with national laws such as the Youth Citizenship Statute, established by Law 1622 of 2013 and Law 1885 of 2018, which provide a framework for youth participation in decision-making processes. UNFPA collaborates with the Colombian government, particularly the Ministry of Equality and Equity, to implement strategies that strengthen the youth subsystem in Colombia. The organization aims to enhance the technical, operational, and financial capacities necessary for effective youth participation and policy-making. UNFPA has a significant presence in Colombia, focusing on various aspects of population and development, and operates in multiple countries worldwide, emphasizing youth empowerment and rights.

Job Overview:
The position of Professional in Institutional Strengthening for Youth Participation is crucial for enhancing youth engagement in Colombia's democratic processes. The selected candidate will lead the implementation of strategies and actions aimed at strengthening the institutional and participatory subsystems for youth. This role involves designing methodologies, tools, and protocols that facilitate effective youth participation in public policy formation. The professional will work closely with various stakeholders, including governmental bodies and youth organizations, to ensure that the strategies align with national objectives and effectively address the needs of young people. The position requires a proactive approach to developing workshops, virtual sessions, and technical support mechanisms that empower youth leaders and enhance their capacity to influence decision-making processes. Additionally, the professional will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the impact of these initiatives, ensuring that they contribute to the overall goal of strengthening youth participation in Colombia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Professional in Institutional Strengthening for Youth Participation include:

• Conducting a comprehensive assessment of existing methodologies, content, and tools for the technical strengthening of the Institutional Youth Subsystem, including youth departments at the territorial level.
• Designing a virtual toolkit with methodologies and content for technical advisory services to the Institutional Youth Subsystem.
• Developing and facilitating in-person workshops for youth linkages at the departmental level and other stakeholders to promote the use of the toolkit.
• Organizing virtual strengthening sessions for municipal youth linkages and other actors to ensure effective utilization of the toolkit.
• Providing technical and operational support for the collaborative development of action plans for the National Youth Council (CNJ) and the National Youth Platform (PNJ), in coordination with the Ministry of Youth and UNFPA.
• Designing and socializing a protocol for collaboration between the Institutional Youth Subsystem and the Ministry of Youth.
• Creating a results-based planning methodology in collaboration with the National Planning Department (DNP) and the project coordinator to enhance inter-institutional management in youth-related plans and projects.
• Formulating a strategy for integrating public, private, and cooperative efforts to promote and protect youth rights.
• Supporting the technical strengthening and implementation of youth incentive programs in coordination with the project coordinator and relevant stakeholders. 1
• Assisting in the training and certification of 500 young individuals in a virtual course on youth participation, leadership, and advocacy. 1
• Contributing to the documentation of the comprehensive strengthening process of the Youth System, ensuring that lessons learned are utilized for continuous improvement of national youth policies and programs. 1
• Providing transversal support to the Adolescence and Youth Area of UNFPA in managing and implementing technical activities related to the agreement and its thematic lines.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the position include:

• A high school diploma is mandatory, with a preference for candidates holding a degree in Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Psychology, Pedagogy, Law, or related fields.
• A postgraduate degree in Social Sciences, Human Rights, Pedagogy, Development, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Government, Public Function, Participation, or related fields is desirable.
• A minimum of six (6) years of relevant work experience in youth participation, public function and management, institutional strengthening, and related fields.
• Proven experience in institutional strengthening at national or local levels.
• Experience in qualitative research and methodological development and implementation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of working with youth, adolescents, and marginalized populations.
• Experience in information management and knowledge generation.
• Skills in facilitation and workshop development.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess at least a high school diploma, with a preference for those who have completed a degree in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Psychology, Pedagogy, Law, or similar disciplines. A postgraduate degree in areas such as Social Sciences, Human Rights, Pedagogy, Development, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Government, or Public Function is highly desirable and will enhance the candidate's profile.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of six (6) years of relevant work experience in areas related to youth participation, public function and management, and institutional strengthening. Candidates should have substantial experience in institutional strengthening at both national and local levels, as well as experience in qualitative research and the development and implementation of methodologies. Familiarity with working with youth and marginalized populations is essential, along with experience in managing information and generating timely evidence.

Languages:
The position requires proficiency in Spanish as a mandatory language, given the context of the work in Colombia. Knowledge of English or other languages may be considered an asset, particularly for engaging with international stakeholders and resources.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Bogotá, Colombia, and may require travel to various cities and municipalities within the country, as well as potentially abroad. Candidates should be physically capable of undertaking travel and are recommended to have a complete COVID-19 vaccination scheme. The role is expected to be full-time and will involve collaboration with various governmental and non-governmental entities. The professional will work under the supervision of the coordination of the agreement and will be part of the technical structure of the Adolescence and Youth Area, receiving guidance from the Ministry of Youth.