Youth Programme Assistant (Individual Consultant)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency dedicated to ensuring that 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 and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization focuses on transformative results aimed at ending unmet needs for family planning, preventing maternal deaths, and eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA places a strong emphasis on empowering adolescents and youth, making it a pivotal player in global health and development initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Youth Programme Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation and visibility of youth-focused activities within UNFPA's Country Programme in Uzbekistan. This position requires close collaboration with the Programme and Communications teams to promote meaningful youth participation and strengthen partnerships with youth-led organizations. The consultant will be responsible for enhancing outreach on issues related to youth health, rights, gender equality, and empowerment. The role involves planning, coordinating, and implementing various youth programme activities, including events, trainings, and campaigns, while ensuring that young people are actively engaged in UNFPA initiatives. The consultant will also contribute to the development of educational materials and draft content for social media to raise awareness and foster engagement among youth.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Youth Programme Assistant will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the planning, coordination, and implementation of youth programme activities such as events, trainings, and campaigns.
• Engaging young people and youth organizations to ensure their meaningful participation in UNFPA initiatives.
• Developing information, education, and communication (IEC) materials targeting adolescents and youth on topics like sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender equality, and youth empowerment.
• Drafting youth-friendly content for social media, newsletters, and other outreach materials to increase awareness and engagement.
• Documenting good practices, lessons learned, and success stories from youth-related programmes and activities.
• Collecting data and feedback from youth to inform programme design and communication strategies.
• Liaising with stakeholders, including government partners, NGOs, and youth networks for coordination and advocacy purposes.
• Preparing youth-focused events and consultations, including logistics, invitations, and follow-up.
• Supporting the visibility of youth programmes on UNFPA’s web and social media platforms in line with corporate branding guidelines. 1
• Providing administrative and communication support for youth-related programme initiatives. 1
• Performing other tasks relevant to youth engagement and communication as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, communications, international development, or other relevant fields. Additionally, candidates should have at least 2 years of experience working with or for youth programmes or networks. A demonstrated interest in adolescent and youth health, rights, and empowerment is essential. Experience in communications, storytelling, or digital media engagement is considered an asset. Candidates must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills in Uzbek and Russian, with a working knowledge of English being desirable. Strong interpersonal skills, teamwork, and the ability to engage with young people from diverse backgrounds are crucial. The ability to work independently and meet deadlines is also required, along with familiarity with UN values and mission, especially regarding youth and gender equality.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, communications, international development, or other relevant fields. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and understanding of the social dynamics affecting youth and the frameworks guiding international development and communication strategies.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of relevant experience working with or for youth programmes or networks. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to engage effectively with young people and understand the challenges they face, particularly in the context of health, rights, and empowerment. Experience in communications, storytelling, or digital media engagement is also beneficial, as it will enhance the candidate's ability to create impactful outreach materials and engage youth through various platforms.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are Uzbek and Russian, with excellent written and verbal communication skills required in both. A working knowledge of English is desirable, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and enhance the consultant's ability to access a broader range of resources and information.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy contract is for a duration of 6 months, expected to start on June 1, 2025, and end on November 30, 202

• The consultant will be based in Tashkent, with possible travel to project sites within Uzbekistan. Monthly deliverables include support for at least two youth events or workshops, two short stories or youth testimonials, ten engaging social media posts, and one youth-focused communication product. The consultant will receive a monthly payment of 500 USD. The UNFPA Programme Associate on Advocacy and Communication will directly supervise the activities related to this consultancy, ensuring that the consultant meets the expected outcomes and deliverables.