UNDP Careers Hiring for JPO – Programme Analyst, Youth Empowerment at New York, United States Full Time

Job Description

Nationality: This position is fundedwitih the framework of the JPO programme of the Government of Denmark, and is open only to nationals of Denmark. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc

The UNDP Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme

The UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) JPO Programme equips outstanding young leaders with the skills and experience required to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a positive difference in the world. As a pathway into the world of development, the programme offers young professionals excellent exposure to multilateral cooperation and sustainable development while providing a valuable entry point into the UN system.

During their assignments, JPOs benefit from the guidance of experienced UNDP staff members and are actively involved in supporting the design and implementation of UNDP’s programs within UNDP’s headquarters, regional or country offices. Additionally, the JPO will undergo a journey of exposure and growth which will build both personal and professional capacity for a career within the multilateral development sector.

As a JPO and young professional in UNDP you should be interested in pursuing a global career with aspiration to work for a field-based organization in support of the development agenda.

The JPO will work as part of a team and be supervised by an experienced UNDP staff member, including:

• Structured guidance and feedback, especially in the beginning of the assignment, with the purpose of gradually increasing of responsibilities.
• Establishment of a work plan, with clear key results
• Guidance and advice in relation to learning and training opportunities within the field of expertise.
• Completion of the yearly UNDP Annual Performance Review (APR) including learning and development objectives

The JPO will benefit from the following learning and development opportunities:

• Participation in a virtual Programme Policy and Operations Induction Course within the first 4 to 6 months of assignment
• Use of yearly JPO duty-related travel and training allocation (DTTA), as per the online DTTA guide
• On-going Masterclasses on relevant and inspiring themes
• Career development support mechanisms and activities
• Networking with fellow JPOs, young professionals and senior UNDP colleagues
• Mentoring programme
• Other training and learning opportunities

Organisational context

Governance is one of the six signature solutions in UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025 – alongside poverty and inequality, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality – to support countries towards three directions of change: structural transformation, leaving no one behind and resilience. The objective of UNDP’s governance work is to ensure that accountable, inclusive and effective governance underpins sustainable development. UNDP’s governance assistance, including that provided through UNDP’s Global Programme, Governance for People and Planet (G4PP), is multi-dimensional and multi-level and goes beyond technical solutions to support a “systems approach” which is human rights based, problem-driven and participatory to accelerate development and ensure no one is left behind.

This JPO position will be anchored in Outcome 2: People are empowered as positive agents of change in an inclusive public sphere of the G4PP. Outputs under this outcome advance initiatives focused on youth empowerment and engagement in peace and development processes, mobilising movements and networks, and driving effective grassroots actions for peace, justice and inclusion in their communities.

A key priority is to deploy systematic and coordinated action to support the role of young people as active agents of change and partners in SDG implementation, monitoring and accountability as well as the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on youth, peace and security and related international agreements. The programme simultaneously aims to strengthen UNDP’s overall accountability and commitment to empower young people.

UNDP plays an essential role in the promotion, coordination and coherence of the United Nations agenda on youth, as a key partner of the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth and the co-chair of Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development working groups on youth political inclusion and civic engagement and youth and the 2030 Agenda, and an active member of the Global Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security; and of several other working groups and global initiatives developed and implemented with youth, for youth and on youth.

In line with the UN Youth Strategy (Youth 2030), and the Security Council Resolutions (SCR) 2250 and 2535 on the role of youth in peacebuilding processes, UNDP recognizes the critical role of young people, and supports national governments, civil society organizations, and other non-traditional partners, in empowering young people across sectors. This translates into the efforts made by UNDP to support the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda across regions, promote the active role of young people in peacebuilding, governance and electoral processes, at the policy and the grassroots levels.

Duties And Responsibilities

In this section list up to five primary functions/accountabilities of the position (Typically one sentence each) and examples of duties that must be performed to successfully accomplish key responsibilities.

• Policy development, analysis, research
• Support policy development on youth empowerment – with a particular emphasis on youth in the 2030 Agenda; youth political participation; youth, peace and security and youth and the role of youth in the prevention of violent extremism;
• Support the implementation of global initiatives UNDP is leading or part of, on youth;
• Assist in the development and updating of databases of UNDP worldwide projects and initiatives advancing youth empowerment;
• Contribute to the analysis of data, case evidence and research findings to distil relevant lessons learned on youth;
• Contribute to the development of new research, policy and UNDP knowledge products/tools on themes related to governance, state building and capacity development in early post-conflict contexts;
• Support the preparation of annual reports on youth and as part of the submission to the Gender Strategy Implementation Committee on behalf of the Youth team in the Governance and Peacebuilding Cluster;
• Support the research, development and dissemination of knowledge-based tools, such as UNDP and UN-wide guidance notes for the use of UNDP Country Offices/UN country teams;
• Assist in development and design of publicity and communication materials, including contributing to / drafting power-point presentations, speeches, and press releases as well as developing advocacy strategies for disseminating and raising awareness of knowledge products;
• Draft project reports, minutes of meetings and terms of reference, as required.
• Programming support for effective interventions in the practice service area
• Support the development/monitoring of global and regional initiatives with and on youth;
• Support the development and implementation of new joint initiatives on youth, in consultation with other UN entities and external partners, when relevant.
• Support to the provision of advisory services on youth empowerment, as well as the provision of technical guidance to, and substantive collaboration with regional youth focal points;
• Develop and maintain a system for monitoring demand and response in the areas of work of the youth team;
• Support the development and implementation of UNDP youth programming, including resource mobilization and partnership strategies, proposal development, and internal accountability mechanisms;
• Support the preparation of workplans and operational and financial management of youth activities.
• Assist in the preparation of yearly work plans, events, presentations and other programme-related documents and correspondence as may be required.
• Management of the Global Community of Practice and knowledge sharing
• Support the development and strengthening of the professional community at the UN level and within UNDP, on youth, through communications and outreach to other teams and clusters, Regional Bureau focal points, United Nations partners and other relevant organizations including through UNDP’s support to the Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development and the Global Coalition on Youth, peace and security;
• Produce content for UNDP’s corporate online spaces on youth, including Sparkblue;
• Produce content for UNDP’s newsletter on youth ‘’The Loop’’.
• Support/coordinate the development, organization and coordination of global and regional events, webinars and platforms focusing on youth;
• Assist in the maintenance of a database of institutional partners, including youth organizations and philanthropy, and mapping of potential donors and partners;
• Support the development and the use of UNDP publications and evaluations on youth
• Develop targeted funding proposals/project documents on youth;
• Support inter-agency activities on youth, in particular the annual and monthly meetings of the inter-agency network, the provision of inputs to the Secretary-General’s reports and the implementation of the United Nations Youth Strategy;
• Produce content and support the facilitation and updating of the UNDP-hosted global platform www.youth4peace.info ;
• Support any other relevant tasks, as required.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively

LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking

Learn Continuously

LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process

Act with Determination LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously

Engage and Partner

LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Technical And Cross-functional Competencies

Governance: Youth Political Participation and Leadership

Governance: Youth, Peace and Security

Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions: Conflict Prevention

Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements

Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s Degree or equivalent Advanced Degree in law, human rights, public policy, economics, international development or a related field of study, or Bachelor’s Degree in law, human rights, public policy, economics, international development

Experience

• A minimum of two years, or four years with Bachelor’s degree, of working experience in a relevant field is required, with focus on governance and peacebuilding, youth, human rights, gender equality and/or civic engagement.
• Expertise in youth mobilization, youth empowerment; basic knowledge of peacebuilding and governance mechanisms; basic communication and advocacy skills.
• Professional experience of working in at least one developing country will be a strong asset.
• Language requirements: English required / French, Spanish, or Portuguese desired.

Attachments needed (please note that once the application is submitted in the system, you cannot go back to upload documents or edit information)

• A brief motivation letter in English that explains why you’re the perfect candidate for the position by using examples of your interests and achievements
• Copy of your passport
• Copy of your Master degree

Contract duration: This JPO position includes a 1 year FTA, renewable subject to satisfactory performance, recommendation by respective office and partner country agreement for a 2nd year with the same office, and reassignment to a UNDP country or regional office for a 3rd year The third year assignment in country or regional office will be discussed during the second year of the JPO assignment.

Nationality: This position is fundedwitih the framework of the JPO programme of the Government of Denmark, and is open only to nationals of Denmark. For detailed information on the JPO Programme and recruitment criteria, please visit https://www.undp.org/jposc

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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