JOB OPPORTUNITY

Youth Engagement Associate

Assignment country: Nepal
Expected start date: 22/04/2024
Sustainable Development Goal: 2. Zero hunger
Volunteer category: National UN Youth Volunteer
Host entity: FAO Nepal
Type: Onsite
Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Kathmandu

Details

Mission and objectives

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.

Join us in creating a #ZeroHunger world.

Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations. The FAO mission is to work toward the eradication of hunger and strive for food security for everyone as stated in the 2030 Agenda. The FAO’s Strategic Framework aspires to transform agri-food systems so that they are more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The ultimate goals of these efforts include better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The FAO projects in Nepal currently implicate building technical capacity, developing policies, enhancing agri-production, strengthening agri-food systems, improving food security and nutrition, adapting to and mitigating the adverse impact of natural disasters and climate change. The FAO also embraces the One Health approach to address threats posed by zoonotic diseases to human health.
Within the IASC framework, the FAO under the umbrella of food security cluster helps to coordinate humanitarian assistance and the recovery of livelihoods of agriculture dependent population.

The FAO endeavours to eradicate hunger and malnutrition through its global initiatives. The CPF (2023-2027) prioritizes sustainable transformation of agri-food systems with inclusive socio-economic development, food security, safety, and sustainable consumption, NRM and climate resilience, and inclusive gender-responsive agri-food systems governance. For this reason, building resilient livelihoods are critical to the efforts of the FAO to help the most vulnerable people achieve food security and freedom from hunger — one of the most basic human rights. Thus, protecting people’s lives and livelihoods from shocks, and strengthening their capacity to absorb the impact of, and recover from, disruptive natural and adverse climatic events are important.

In close collaboration with the Programme Specialist, the Youth Engagement Officer will play a crucial role in facilitating collaboration, organizing events, supporting campaigns, conducting training activities, identifying potential partners, and fulfilling any other duties necessary to promote youth engagement in agriculture and food systems in Nepal.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist, the National UN Youth Volunteer will:

Liaison with the World Food Forum Nepal Youth Chapter to carry out 2024 work plan. Collaborate with the chapter to align their work plan with the overall mission and objectives of the organization.
Support in organizing youth policy symposium, youth hackathon, youth agri food system investment forum (national and provincial).
Contribute to the development and implementation of campaigns aimed at raising awareness about issues related to youth involvement in agriculture and food systems.
Assist in creating promotional materials, coordinating outreach efforts, and engaging with target audiences.
Assist in the planning and execution of training sessions, workshops, and writeshops focused on building the capacity of youth in areas such as agricultural practices, entrepreneurship, and policy advocacy. Help identify relevant speakers, develop agendas, and coordinate logistics for these events.
Research and identify existing youth organizations and networks that are actively engaged in agricultural and food-related initiatives.
Establish partnerships and collaborations with these organizations to leverage resources and expand the reach of youth engagement efforts.
Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

13. Results/Expected Outputs:

Increased Youth Engagement: A noticeable increase in the participation of young people in activities related to agriculture and food systems, as evidenced by higher attendance at events, workshops, and campaigns.
Innovative Solutions: The generation of innovative ideas and solutions to challenges facing the agriculture and food sectors, demonstrated through the outcomes of hackathons, youth forums, and other collaborative events.
Capacity Building: Enhanced skills and knowledge among young people involved in agriculture and food-related activities, as demonstrated by their increased ability to implement sustainable farming practices, entrepreneurship ventures, and advocacy efforts.
Network Expansion: Expansion of the network of youth organizations and stakeholders involved in agriculture and food systems, leading to strengthened partnerships, increased collaboration, and more coordinated efforts towards common goals.
Awareness and Advocacy: Increased awareness among youth and the broader community about the importance of agriculture, food security, and sustainable food systems, leading to heightened advocacy efforts and support for related initiatives.
Empowerment of Youth: Empowerment of young people to actively participate in decision-making processes, advocate for their interests, and take on leadership roles within their communities and the agriculture sector.

Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 – 26
Nationality: Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience

1 years of experience in specific thematic/technical area required

Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others;
Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills;
Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team;
Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;
Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions;
Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;
Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).

Area(s) of expertise: Development programmes, Agriculture, Energy and environment

Driving license –

Languages

Nepalese, Level: Fluent, Required
English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Rural development, International Development Cooperation, Environmental Science, Agriculture Science, Forest Science, or any other related field

Competencies and values

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to FAO; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to [FAO] procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and FAO in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards [FAO]’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Other information
Living conditions and remarks

Living conditions in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, are generally favourable. Comfortable and affordable flats, both furnished and unfurnished, are readily available. Imported and local food as well as clothing options are abundant. However, water availability is somewhat limited, and it is not safe to drink without treatment. Public transportation is easily accessible and generally dependable. Kathmandu experiences a temperate climate, with winter temperatures just above freezing at night and mild but humid conditions during the monsoon season from mid-June to the end of September.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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