PROGRAMME SPECIALIST ON YOUTH STRATEGY

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences Sector (ADG/SHS), guidance from the Director for Policies and Programmes and Director for Partnerships and Outreach and direct supervision of the Chief of Youth and Sport Section, the incumbent shall contribute to the UNESCO-wide implementation of UNESCO Operation Strategy on Youth and is responsible for ensuring the development and delivery of a wide spectrum of programme and project management initiatives from funding proposals to design and reporting. S/he advises, manages and reports on regular and extra-budgetary programme design, guidelines, resources and progress. S/he advocates organizational involvement and participation in mainstream social and human sciences activities and initiatives.

The incumbent works within the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium Term Strategy (C/4), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and global development plans such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The incumbent in particular will\:

• Coordinate programme and project rollout and monitoring as reflected in work plans. Recommend programme and project approaches, plans, expansion and changes and develop, propose and advocate C/4 and C/5 thematic inclusions. Develop projects, programme and funding proposals, oversee agreements and contracts as well as define UNESCO’s involvement and mobilize relevant resources.
• Initiate policy development and creation, in accordance with priority areas such as those inscribed in the UNESCO’s Operation Strategy on Youth, as well as with emerging issues and advocate for and lead inter-sectoral and divisional collaboration as well as quality assurance exercises. Represent and provide specialized advice to internal and external colleagues, peers and stakeholders. Advocate UNESCO’s position/involvement and establish relevant guidelines. Advise peers, colleagues, partners and governments on policy formulation, programmes and projects and developments and best practices and emerging trends in this area. Collaborate with colleagues at HQ and in the field in developing and implementing activities supporting youth development. Represent the sector/division/section in meetings and events as required. Develop or advise on solution and provide backstopping support for field offices in the elaboration, fund raising and implementing activities related to youth issues.
• Design and develop targeted and operational projects and coordinate with all Programmes Sectors. Advise develop and participate in the identification and mobilization of financial and human resources and explore alternative funding mechanisms. Represent the sector/division in technical meetings with donors and partners as required. Maintain vigorous relationships with donors and potential donors by identifying emerging themes and programmes areas that resonate and keep them abreast of key developments, and expand portfolio of terms and deliverables, ensuring alignment with overall programme/project objectives.
• Assess linkages of programme work, especially with the sport programme, and evaluate impact of activities. Evaluate and report on progress. Study current best practices and professional developments and translate into relevant programmatic and project actions and reports.
  

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of social sciences, humanities, or related areas.

Work Experience

• Minimum 7 years of progressive relevant professional experience in the area of social and human sciences at national and international level.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing programmes and/or projects in one of the following domains\: management of social transformations, social inclusion; intercultural dialogue; bioethics and ethics of science and technology; youth and sport.

Skills and competencies

• Good analytical, organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to provide high-level advice and technical support in public policy, planning and research.
• Capacity to build and maintain effective working relations with national/local authorities, relevant institutions, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
• Proven ability to communicate and negotiate effectively and persuasively (orally and in writing) with various stakeholders at all levels, within and outside the organization.
• Excellent knowledge of fund-raising and other resource mobilization mechanisms.
• Ability to manage and motivate staff and teams and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Solid IT skills including knowledge of office software.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English or French and good knowledge of the other.