OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS)
Duty Station: Paris
Job Family: Social and Human Sciences
Type of contract : Non Staff
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : External candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 02-MAY-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The UNESCO Youth Programme at the Social and Human Sciences Sector aims to understand and tackle the challenges young people face globally, mobilizing their creativity and innovation. To this end, it supports youth-led action, produces youth knowledge, fosters policy solutions for young people, and builds stakeholder capacities. In 2023, UNESCO launched the Global Youth Grant Scheme to support youth-led research and action for social impact. In partnership with Nestlรฉ and SEVENTEEN among others, UNESCO will provide 230 young people worldwide with the resources and skills they need to implement youth-led innovative solutions and achieve positive social impact by the end of 2015.
The Nestlรฉ x UNESCO Global Youth Grant Scheme โYouth Impact: Because You Matterโ aims to mobilize youth-led actions worldwide to address challenges affecting environmental sustainability and climate action. It seeks to identify and fund youth-led initiatives, provide capacity development, and offer mentorship to ensure their successful implementation. 100 grants are provided worldwide (approximately 20 per each of the five UNESCO regions ), of 8,500 USD each, to young individuals, youth-led organizations, enterprises, associations, or networks, aiming to impact over 500,000 youth and other community members worldwide. Project implementation started on 18 March 2025, is expected to last until 17 March 2026.
Held every two years since 1999, the UNESCO Youth Forum has provided youth with the space to dialogue among themselves and with UNESCO. It is a unique platform for youth to present their challenges, ideas and solutions to Member States, during the General Conference, UNESCOโs highest decision-making body. The 14th edition of the Forum will be held on 27 and 28 October 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, preceding the General Conference, on the theme of climate action and social impacts, particularly for young people. More than 170 young people from over 150 Member States are expected to participate in working sessions, networking, and cultural activities. The Forum will result in a call to action, recommendations and youth-led projects.
The Youth Programme is also working to provide cutting-edge reflection and policy recommendations on major current issues affecting youth. This includes a Global UNESCO Youth Outlook to better understand the societal causes of the rise in mental health issues globally in the present context of crises; and a global study on the factors that influence the civic and political choices of Gen-Z.
Overview of the Position: Key Tasks
Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, and the guidance and supervision of the Chief of the Youth Section at UNESCO Headquarters, the incumbent will provide specialized expertise to ensure the visibility of the Youth Programme as a whole, and particularly the Nestlรฉ x UNESCO Global Youth Grant Scheme, as well as other Grant Schemes, the 14th UNESCO Youth Forum, and any publications of the Youth Programme, through the following tasks:
o Communications: Develop a communicationโs strategy for the Youth Programme as a whole, and the Nestlรฉ x UNESCO Global Youth Grant Scheme and Forum in particular. Accordingly, develop specialized content for communication products (including visuals, social media posts, materials, etc.), set visibility targets, and design and undertake communication activities to raise awareness of the objectives and impact of the Programme and of the relevant projects.
o Events: Contribute to the organization of specific events, notably but not limited to a high-level event with Nestlรฉ and youth grantees in the framework of the Grant Scheme, and a concert at the Forum. In particular, help identify and mobilize participants for such events, and advise on their format and content, with a view to ensuring their high visibility.
o Publications: Develop a communications and dissemination strategy to ensure the outreach and impact of the Youth Programmeโs publications, and develop specialized content accordingly (e.g. brochures, social media posts, etc.)
o Partnerships: Contribute to identifying and mobilizing relevant partners, notably for the UNESCO Global Youth Grant Scheme.
Outputs and achievements
o Communications strategy to enhance the visibility of the Youth Programme as a whole and UNESCOโs work on youth.
o Communication products to raise awareness of the objectives and impact of the Youth Programme, and the Grant Scheme, the Forum and publications in particular.
o Communicationโs report presenting visibility targets achieved, lessons learnt, and good practices.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C)Communication (C)Innovation (C)Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)Planning and organizing (C)Results focus (C)Teamwork (C)Professionalism (C)
- For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
โข Advanced university degree in communications, marketing, or social sciences.
Work Experience
โข Between 5 and 10 years of relevant experience of which preferably 2 years acquired at international level.
โข Demonstrated expertise in communications.
โข Demonstrated experience with youth-relevant programming and/or in collaborating with youth.
โข Demonstrated experience in contributing to complex multi-stakeholder and/or multi-country initiatives.
โข Demonstrated event-organization experience.
Long Description
Skills and Competencies
โข Creativity and capacity to innovate.
โข Excellent drafting skills.
โข Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
โข Strong coordination skills.
โข Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
โข Solid knowledge of relevant technological solutions and systems.
Languages
โข Excellent knowledge of English and French
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
โข Expertise in youth leadership.
โข Experience in partnership mobilization.
โข Experience working with UN or UNESCO programmes.
Skills and Competencies
โข Knowledge of UNESCO's activity areas and relevant partners and donors.
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
Proposal Submission:
Interested candidates are requested to submit:
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae
- A 1-pager cover letter, specifying their relevant experience and interest in the mission defined above.
- A written proposal outlining their approach and methodology for the assignment, along with the total cost of the assignment, expressed as a lump sum.
Evaluation Criteria:
The consultants will be evaluated based on qualifications and relevant experience.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as an interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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