Job description
Background
Africa has the youngest population with over 40% of the population below the age of 15, while about 20% of the population fall between 15-24 years age. This is indeed the potential that exists to harness the potential of youth in the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s own Agenda 2063.
African countries have experienced a steady economic growth over the past decade. However, this economic growth has been characterised by high rates of inequalities including those facing its youthful population. Specifically, for youth, little attention has been paid to creating employment opportunities for young people. According to the African Development Bank- AfDB, six of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Research shows that the youth unemployment rate in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to continue on its downward trajectory, which began in 2012, reaching 10.9 per cent in 2016 and decreasing slightly to 10.8 in 2017. Young women are even more affected as it is easier for men to get jobs than it is for women, due to the structural limitations that exist across societies and within sectors. Through its young people, Africa finds itself faced with an unprecedented opportunity. Every year between 2015 and 2035, close to five million more people will turn 15 years of age across the continent, while the rest of the world’s population will grow older. As highlighted in the 2014 World Bank report on youth employment in Sub-Saharan Africa, only a quarter of the young people who enter the labour market each year over the next decade will find a salaried position, and only a small fraction of them will secure formal employment in “modern” enterprises, with the majority of young people remaining in the informal sector. Without concerted action, many African countries are likely to experience a backlash from the growing numbers of disgruntled and unemployed youth that are emerging. This could be associated with the increased youth participation in civil unrests and violent extremism. A World Bank survey in 2011 showed that about 40% of those who join radical movements say they are motivated by lack of jobs. As such development actions must not only consider the needs of the young people but also include young people in the development and decision-making processes.
The Africa Youth Conference
UN Women in Africa in collaboration with diverse stakeholders and partners propose to hold an Africa Youth Conference on Unleashing the Potential of Youth in Africa- Prioritizing Investment in Youth Development in the Post-2015 Agenda. The purpose of the conference is to open up spaces for young people to contribute to development and decision-making processes on youth especially in advancing gender equality and the empowerment of (young) women (GEWE). The convening, which brings youth delegates from across Africa, is an African youth event, open to international youth, with an aim of gathering and strengthening political, policy and investment commitments for governments to support prioritizing investment in youth development in the post-2015 agenda. The conference provides a perfect opportunity to promote inclusive and sustainable development strategies that devote increased attention to outcomes that improve the quality of young people’s lives. The SDGs and Africa’s Agenda 2063 must put young people at the core of the targets and indicators aimed at poverty reduction, reduced inequalities, decent jobs, enhanced access to clean water and modern energy, quality education, urban development, sexual and reproductive health, conflict prevention, peace and security.
UN Women recognizes that the youth need to have the space to participate in the operationalization of the SDGs and Africa’s Agenda 2063 and related development agendas including local, national and regional interventions, and in the monitoring and review of these efforts, and the promotion of strengthened government accountability to the same. Young people need to be given the space through which they can participate in development processes that have a clear impact in their lives. African governments need to demonstrate their political commitment and to design and implement youth responsive policies and related strategies- and make adequate investments to unleash the potentials of youth in Africa.
The Specific Objectives Will Be
The purpose of the conference is to provide a platform for young people to contribute to inclusive and equitable decision-making and development processes within the framework of the SDGs and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
To provide an inclusive platform for young people to engage in a dialogue with themselves and decision makers including high-level government representatives and other development stakeholders including the private sector and civil society, to share ideas, experiences and innovative approaches for effectively addressing development challenges facing Africa;
To galvanize governments and other stakeholders to make political, policy and investment commitments towards supporting young people’s development priorities, demands and aspirations for a better, equitable future for Africa in the post-2015 era;
To engage African countries and organizations including CSOs that will act as youth champions to push for the youth agenda in the localization and implementation of SDGs;
To develop a joint regional programme focusing on the youth in Africa.
Duties and Responsibilities
UN Women East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) seeks to recruit a consultant to undertake the overall coordination of the Africa Youth Conference, scheduled for 15-17 October 2018. The consultant will report to the Knowledge Management and Research Specialist and work under the guidance of a Multi-Stakeholder Technical Planning Committee comprising UN agencies, CSOs (including INGOs) and private sector with comparative merits and experiences in the identified thematic disciplines for the conference. The United Nations defines “youth” as those between 15 and 24 years of age, while the African Youth Charter defines youth as those between 15-35 (African Union, 2006). The proposed conference will adopt the Africa Union definition as it targets governments and other stakeholders outside the United Nations.
The Specific Tasks Of The Consultant Will Be
Specific tasks for the Consultant:
Coordinate the planning and successful execution of the conference under the guidance of the Knowledge Management and Research Specialist and the Multi-Stakeholder Technical Planning Committee;
Coordinate the meetings of the Multi-Stakeholder Technical Planning Committee and ensure that any agreed actions are followed up on and undertaken by responsible parties including maintaining records of agreed decisions and actions, providing regular updates and liaising with members of the Multi-Stakeholder Technical Planning
Committee and other stakeholders outside of the committee and generating reports as requested;
Coordinate the logistical arrangements and related operational requirements for the conference in line with UN Women corporate financial rules and regulations;
Coordinate the development of background papers on youth on the three identified thematic areas of the conference including documenting good and promising practices to inform the conference;
Harnessing the power of technology and innovation for youth development and empowerment focused on inclusive economic growth, employment and entrepreneurship for the youth;
Youth focused engagement and participation in governance/ political participation, leadership and decision making at national and regional level;
The role of the youth in preventing Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa including Technology Assisted Violence Against Young Women.
Facilitate the call for innovations and documentation of youth-led innovative solutions/approaches addressing youth challenges in Africa and subsequent vetting and award process;
Support the identification of potential resource mobilization opportunities for the conference and follow up on resource commitments towards the conference;
Coordinate the rapporteuring and other documentation of the conference- in collaboration with the Communication sub-committee of the Multi-Stakeholder Technical
Planning Committee;
Review, edit and format documents and reports for and of the Conference under the guidance of the Knowledge Management and Research Specialist in line with the objectives of the conference;
In collaboration with the Communications Sub-committee of the Multi Stakeholders Technical Planning Team, be responsible for developing and implementing a Branding
Strategy for the Conference;
Working closely with the UN Women (internal) Conference team to prepare high quality event progress reports to the team, and;
Working with the Communications Sub-Committee to support media relations and ensure the successful implementation of the conference media strategy. In this role, the consultant shall be facilitative while media engagements will be led by the Communications Sub-Committee;
Ensure appropriate translation facilities are provided for the conference;
Pursuant to the conference, to develop a programme document including a feasible and comprehensive theory of change for the Africa Youth Programme (under the guidance of the Multi-Stakeholder Technical Planning Committee) which is informed by the conference deliberations and outcomes;
Perform ad hoc duties as required during the time of the assignment.
Competencies
Core Values
Respect for Diversity
Integrity
Professionalism
Core Competencies
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
Accountability
Creative Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Inclusive Collaboration
Stakeholder Engagement
Leading by Example
Functional Competencies
Ability to demonstrate programme development and project management experience especially on youths, and young women in particular;
Skills and expertise in planning high level multi stakeholders conference and events;
Skills in research and expertise in conducting desk reviews in the area of gender and development;
Ability to mobilize resources;
Strong IT and communication skills.
Education
Required Skills and Experience
Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Communications for Development, Media, Journalism, Project Management, Gender and Development and/or related fields of study;
Experience
At least five years of practical experience in planning and facilitating high-level regional event management;
Demonstrated experience of working in the engagements in the field related to this Terms of Reference;
Experience in branding high-level events including in developing communications strategies, in communication including in content management;
Previous resource mobilization experience would be an asset.
Language Requirements
Fluency in English is required;
Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.
