Youth Programme Specialist, Maputo, Mozambique

General

Description of assignment title: Youth Programme Specialist

Assignment country: Mozambique

Duty stations: Maputo

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 09/12/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 4. Quality education

Host entity: UNESCO Mozambique

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• UNESCO's mission is to contribute to the building of a culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information

Context:

• The Youth Program Specialist will be based within UNESCO's programme operations, contributing to the Organization's mandate of building peace and sustainable development through education, science, culture, and information, with a strong focus on youth engagement and empowerment. The assignment is implemented in a dynamic, multi‑sectoral environment that supports the design, coordination, and delivery of youth‑focused initiatives aligned with UNESCO's Global Medium‑Term Strategy, global agendas, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, UNESCO Mozambique country strategy in collaboration with the UN Youth Group, and National Youth Council and it's network of affiliated Youth Associations.
• The Specialist will play a key role in strengthening the integration of youth perspectives across UNESCO Mozambique programmes, with a particular focus on supporting the ongoing update of the National Youth Strategy and the implementation of youth-related policies and initiatives. This will include providing technical and coordination support to ensure that youth voices are meaningfully reflected in policy processes, programme design, and implementation frameworks.
• A core component of the assignment will be to facilitate and strengthen collaboration with key national and inter-agency stakeholders, including the UN Youth Group and the National Youth Council, as well as its network of affiliated youth associations. The Specialist will support joint planning, coordination of youth engagement initiatives, and alignment of interventions across UN agencies and national partners, contributing to a more coherent and impactful youth agenda in Mozambique.
• The position is embedded within a collaborative and multidisciplinary team, working closely with colleagues across programme sectors at country level, within the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA), and at Headquarters (HQ), as well as with Government of Mozambique counterparts and partners. The work environment offers exposure to inter‑agency coordination, evidence‑based programming, and international policy processes, providing a strong platform for learning and professional development. Key stakeholders include government institutions, UN agencies, civil society and youth‑led organizations, academic institutions, and development partners. This assignment presents a valuable opportunity for young professionals to gain hands‑on experience in youth programming within the UN system while contributing to inclusive and youth‑responsive development outcomes at national, regional, and global levels.

Task description:

• Under the direct supervision of the UNESCO Head of Office and Representative, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• 1. Youth programme design and implementation
• Support the planning, implementation, and follow‑up of youth programmes and projects aligned with national strategies and UNESCO priorities.
• Contribute to the development of workplans, activity schedules, and budgets for youth‑related initiatives.
• Support the integration of youth perspectives across relevant thematic programmes (e.g. education, culture, skills, digital transformation, social inclusion).
• Assist in identifying opportunities to strengthen youth leadership, volunteerism, and civic engagement within ongoing and new programmes.
• Provide technical inputs to the updating and operationalization of the National Youth Strategy, ensuring alignment with international frameworks and youth-responsive approaches.
• Contribute to the design of innovative and digital approaches to youth engagement, including the use of online platforms and tools.
• 2. Coordination and Partnerships
• Support coordination with government counterparts, particularly ministries, departments, and agencies responsible for youth, education, culture, or social development.
• Liaise with youth‑led organizations, civil society partners, academic institutions, and UN agencies to promote collaboration and avoid duplication.
• Assist in organizing and following up on meetings, consultations, workshops, and youth dialogues, including preparation of agendas, minutes, and action points.
• Contribute to inter‑agency coordination mechanisms on youth‑related issues, when re-quired.
• Support UNESCO's engagement with the UN Youth Group, including joint planning, reporting, and participation in inter-agency initiatives.
• Strengthen collaboration with the National Youth Council and its network of affiliated youth associations, facilitating their engagement in programme activities and policy processes.
• 3. Youth Engagement and Participation
• Support the meaningful inclusion of young people and youth networks in consultations, programme activities, and policy dialogue.
• Help design and facilitate youth‑focused events, forums, campaigns, and capacity‑building activities.
• Contribute to the promotion of gender equality, inclusion, and participation of marginalized youth, including young women, youth with disabilities, and youth in vulnerable contexts.
• Facilitate feedback mechanisms to ensure youth perspectives inform programme de-sign and decision-making.
• 4. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
• Support data collection, documentation, and analysis related to youth programmes and activities.
• Assist in tracking progress against planned outputs and indicators for youth related in-interventions.
• Contribute to the preparation of narrative reports, donor updates, briefs, and success stories highlighting youth impact.
• Document good practices, lessons learned, and youth led innovations for knowledge sharing.
• 5. Knowledge Management and Communication
• Support the development of youth focused knowledge products, briefs, and presentations.
• Contribute content to internal and external communication products (news items, social media inputs, website updates) related to youth activities.
• Assist in mapping youth initiatives, stakeholders, and emerging trends relevant to the country context.
• 6. Administrative and Operational Support
• Provide day to day operational support to youth related activities, including logistics, procurement follow up, and coordination with operations staff.
• Support the organization of missions, field visits, and partner engagements related to youth programming.
• During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Donor priorities:

• .

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria:

• This assignment is funded by the Government of Korea and therefore specific criteria apply:
• - Candidates must be Korean nationals. Fluency in Korean is required.
• - Candidates must be 27 years of age at the time of application.
• - Candidates who have already served as UN Volunteer Specialist funded by the Government of Korea are not eligible to apply (former UN University and UN Youth Volunteers are eligible).
• - Serving UN Volunteers will not be considered for other UN Volunteer assignments until they reach three (3) months before the end of contract date of their current UN Volunteer assignment. This provision applies equally to first and subsequent contracts.
• - Candidates may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the 'Additional remarks' field when filling in the application form.
• - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment.
• APPLICATION DEADLINE: 19 July 2026
• +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• Portuguese, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level:

• Bachelor's degree in International Development / Development Studies; Education; Social Sciences or Public Administration.

Competencies and values:

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Building Trust
• Client Orientation
• Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Creativity
• Empowering Others
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity
• Judgement and Decision-making
• Knowledge Sharing
• Leadership
• Managing Performance
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Technological Awareness
• Vision
• Working in Teams

Skills and experience:

• Proven experience supporting the design, implementation, or coordination of youth‑focused programmes or projects, preferably within development, humanitarian, or public sector contexts.
• Experience working with or alongside government institutions, UN agencies, international organizations, NGOs, or civil society organizations.
• Familiarity with national youth policies, youth strategies, or international frameworks such as the UN Youth 2030 Strategy.
• Experience in partnership building and stakeholder coordination, including engagement with multiple actors (government, UN, civil society, academia).
• Experience integrating cross cutting issues such as gender equality, inclusion, human rights, peacebuilding, or digital transformation into youth programming.
• Experience in communications, advocacy, or youth mobilization campaigns, including support to events, forums, or conferences.
• Skills in:
• Programme and project support skills.
• Youth engagement and facilitation skills.
• Communication and writing skills.
• Coordination and partnership skills.
• Analytical, organizational and problem‑solving skills.
• Digital and Administrative skills

Area(s) of expertise:

• Community development, Communication, Education

Driving license:

• -

Other information