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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network. Headquartered in New York City, UNDP advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. It provides expert advice, training, and grants support to developing countries, with increasing empha...
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
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:
Competencies
Core Values
Core Competencies
Functional Competencies
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
Language Requirements
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