Background
ย Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:ย 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 โleave no one behindโ 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.
ย 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.
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UNDP is on the ground in more than 170 countries provides a global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. Across Asia and the Pacific, UNDP helps countries build and share their own solutions to urgent development challenges, supporting coalitions for change and connecting individuals and institutions so they can share knowledge, experience, and resources.
In the Asia and Pacific region, UNDP drives one of the largest youth movement for empowerment, equality, social inclusion, and social justice (Youth Co:Lab). The programme empowers and invests in youth, so that they can accelerate the implementation of the SDGs through leadership, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. Working with partners in government and the private sector, UNDP is co-creating national and regional programmes positioning young people front and center to solve the regionโs pressing problems. Through our country offices we are working with young people to build entrepreneurial skills and capacity, help governments increase engagement with young people by creating supportive policy and regulatory environments; and working with private sector, academia and other partners to create an enabling ecosystem for young social entrepreneurs.
Youth Co:Labโs research and thought leadership component seeks to generate, amplify, and leverage evidence in order to strengthen the ecosystem for youth leadership, social innovation and entrepreneurship in Asia-Pacific. Research and thought leadership are closely connected to Regional Youth Empowerment Portfolioโs (YEP-AP) impact measurement and management function, which generates evidence and lessons learnt directly from programme activities and enhances the visibility of Youth Co:Labโs mission to position young people front and centre to solve the regionโs most pressing challenges.
The Youth Co:Lab and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) partnered in 2020 to pilot research studies on the ecosystem for youth entrepreneurship in key programme countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The first studies conducted in Bangladesh and Indonesia tested a youth-responsive analysis framework, identified entry points for strengthening the operating environment for young entrepreneurs in these countries and provided recommendations to make the ecosystem more enabling for young aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. Similar studies were also conducted by Youth Co:Lab in Singapore in 2021, Pakistan and Maldives in 2023, with the Pakistan report launched in 2024 and Maldives report scheduled for launch in 2025.The engagements have concluded that the ecosystems most beneficial for youth entrepreneurship are those in which targeted technical support and tailored support in areas such as education, finance, networking, and market-building that are provided within anย overall environment conducive to conducting business.ย
The lessons learned and key findings from the studies have paved the way for strengthening the current methodology with specific benchmarks across various domains. In addition, the toolkit for ecosystem diagnostic studies will be updated to reflect the enhanced methodology and practical strategies, enabling ecosystem stakeholders to develop their own diagnostic studies.
The United Nations World Youth Report 2020 recommended the formation of a task force that regularly reviews and evaluates the business environment and its specific impact on youth entrepreneurship and makes recommendations for improvements. Building on this need, UNDP and partners such as ILO, Commonwealth Secretariat and ESCAP established a Strategic Intelligence Hub for government and private sector representatives from across the region to co-ideate, co-share good practices and co-strategies regional and national level priorities for youth entrepreneurship ecosystem development. ย The Hub has facilitated knowledge exchanges with policy makers in the region through the regional youth co:lab summit, webinars and policy briefs. The outcomes from these exchanges will be leveraged to develop targeted capacity building initiatives for policy makers on developing youth inclusive and innovative policies for a just and green transition in Asia and the Pacific countries.
Leading into the eighth year of operations of the Youth Co:Lab, UNDP is seeking the services of a Policy Specialist โ Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship to provide policy support related to Youth Entrepreneurship, lead the Research and Impact Management frameworks of the project.
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Institutional Arrangement ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย
The Policy Specialist โ Youth Employment and Entrepreneurshipย will report to the Regional Youth and Civil Society Specialist with the close supervision of the Regional Youth Project Manager and work in close collaboration with the UNDP country offices and other key parties. The success of the project depends on the timely delivery of each component.ย The Lead should ensure timely identification of potential risks and signal any delays in deliverables. The contract will be effective immediately upon signature by UNDP.
UNDP BRH will have the following responsibilities: (i) Provide relevant documents; (ii) Discuss and agree on the methodologies of the assignment; and (iii) Monitor and evaluate the progress of the assignment.ย
Coreย
Achieve Results:ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:ย ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย ย ย LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
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Business Developmentย ย -ย ย Collective Intelligence Design:ย ย ย Ability to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions.
Business Developmentย - Knowledge Generation:ย ย ย ย Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Digital & Innovationย -ย Digital business analysis:ย ย ย ย Ability to support digital business processes across a range of digital projects, programmes and activities.
Partnership management -ย Relationship Management: ย ย ย ย Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understandingย
Business Direction & Strategyย -ย Entrepreneurial Thinking:ย ย ย ย Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDPโs organizational priorities and mandate
Business Developmentย - Knowledge Facilitation:ย ย ย ย Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally
2030 Agenda: Peaceย -ย Governance:ย ย Youth Socio Economic Empowerment
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ย Min. Academic Education: Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent)ย in sustainable development, environmental management, social/political sciences, international relations, or other related expertise areas is required, or A first-level university degree (Bachelorโs degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Masterโs degree. Min. years of relevant Work experience: Minimum 5 years (with Masterโs degree) or 7 years (with Bachelorโs degree) of experience inย youth empowerment, entrepreneurship ecosystem and inclusive green and just transitions.
Requiredย skills and competencies:
At least 4 years of experience in youth empowerment, entrepreneurship or development.ย Proven knowledge on youth empowerment, entrepreneurship ecosystem or development issues in Asia and the Pacific region. Full computer literacy in Microsoft Office programmes i.e. MS-Word, MS-Excel and MS-Power Point; Proficiency in graphic design and video editing software is a plus i.e. Photoshop, Premiere, etc.Desired additional skills and competencies:
At least 2 years of experience in developing or leading research focusing on youth and/or entrepreneurship. At least 2 years of experience conducting policy analysis, research lead related to youth employment and entrepreneurship. Research and analytical skillsย and the ability toย to conduct in-depth research and strong data analysis is asset. Ability to work with diverse teams across different countries and offices would be an asset. Strong presentation skills. Ability to work under pressure and meet targets in a tight deadline.Required Language(s) (at working level):
Fluent in spoken and written English.ย ย ย Disclaimerย Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)ย
ย 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.ย
ย 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.
ย Applicant information about UNDP rosters
ย Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
ย Non-discrimination
ย 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.ย ย
ย 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.ย
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