Adolescents and Youth Specialist

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA's new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.
UNFPA ethics

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. Thus, UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

UNFPA strategy in Lao PDR
UNFPA is starting its 7th Country Programme in Lao PDR. In response to Lao's socio-economic context and, in line with its strategy on modes of engagement in lower-middle-income countries, UNFPA has prioritised upstream work, with a focus on stronger policy-advocacy and communication and networking to mobilise strategic partnerships. At the same time, innovative pilots and new initiatives are being supported to accelerate delivery on the three transformative results in this decade of action.

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organisation’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Policy Dialogue, Advocacy and Visibility:
- Support evidence-based policy dialogue with parliamentarians on adolescent and youth issues, including adolescent pregnancy, lack of youth empowerment and engagement opportunities, and addressing harmful practices (such as Child, Early and Forced Marriages - CEFM).
- Contribute substantive policy inputs on Adolescents and Youth (AY) and CEFM to UN coordination processes, particularly through the UNSDCF (e.g., relevant Results Groups) and inter-agency mechanisms on harmful practices (Child, Early and Forced Marriages - CEFM).
- Support the visibility of UNFPA's leadership on adolescent and youth programming and the TUSIP CEFM programme in relevant strategic forums.
- Identify and provide evidence-based, substantive policy advice on UNFPA’s role in advancing the AY agenda, ensuring the centrality of investing in youth for harnessing the Demographic Dividend is integrated into national youth policies and sectoral development plans.
- Enhance UNFPA's leadership and visibility as a key partner on adolescent and youth development and the elimination of CEFM agenda.

Strengthening the CO’s Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation:
- Maintain collaborative relationships with government counterparts (e.g., Lao Youth Union, NCAWMC, Lao Women's Union, Ministry of Education and Sports), TUSIP programme partners (UN Agencies, CSOs), development partners, and other stakeholders.
- Actively participate in UNSDCF technical working groups and national coordination mechanisms for AY programming and the elimination of CEFM (National Advisory Group/ Technical Working Group on elimination of CEFM).
- Lead the preparation of donor reports, project briefs, and visibility materials for the entire AY-portfolio, including the TUSIP CEFM programme.
- Lead the development of funding proposals for the AY-portfolio, aligning with the Country Programme's resource mobilisation strategy and the ongoing joint resource mobilisation initiatives.
- Pursue innovative partnerships, including with youth-led organisations, CSOs, and the private sector, to advance the AY-SRH, CSE, MHPSS and CEFM agendas.
- Further strengthen the on-going public-private partnership with the hospitality sector, for enhancing the skills set of young people in the country, while providing them with economic opportunities.

Evidence Management, Knowledge Management and Innovation
- Collect, analyze, and synthesize information/data and experience on good practices and programme priorities related to AY programming, and the TUSIP CEFM programme.
- Support the development of briefings and infographics for evidence-based policy dialogues on youth development, SRHR, and ending CEFM.
- Participate in relevant UNFPA technical networks (e.g., regional AY/CEFM networks), maintaining communication and feedback loops on all substantive work.
- Contribute to knowledge-sharing platforms on Adolescents and Youth.
- Disseminate and promote evidence, lessons learned, and success stories and ensure their use to improve effectiveness.
- Provide comprehensive inputs and technical support to the scale-up of CSE interventions for both in and out-of-school young people, including development of technical resources, guidelines, workshops etc.

Management and Coordination for the AY-Programme and the UN Joint Regional TUSIP Programme on Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriages (CEFM)
- Manage and coordinate the implementation of the TUSIP CEFM programme, aligning with Government priorities and UNFPA programme policies and procedures, in close collaboration with internal programme teams, UNICEF Lao CO, other partner UN Agencies, CSOs, government counterparts, and the regional technical advisors.
- Oversee the drafting of annual work plans and budgets for the AY Programme with all implementing partners, ensuring alignment with UNFPA financial and programmatic procedures.
- Provide substantive technical, programmatic, and financial oversight to partners (UN Agencies, CSOs) in the implementation of interventions.
- Ensure results are achieved by applying UNFPA policies and procedures and by establishing robust monitoring, evaluation, and financial oversight mechanisms for the portfolio.
- Lead the timely preparation and submission of all consolidated programmatic and financial reports to the donor and internal stakeholders.
- Identify and source technical assistance needs for the TUSIP programme and the wider AY-portfolio from various sources, including national institutions/experts and international consultants.
- Ensure effective knowledge management strategies are implemented, capturing lessons learned and best practices for future planning.
- Support the capacity building and training needs of implementing partners and project personnel on both programmatic and financial management.
- Lead advocacy and resource mobilisation efforts for expanding the CEFM and AY portfolio, using evidence and results from the TUSIP programme.

General Support
- Overall management of the AY-Programme team, including HR support and performing supervisory functions.
- Stand in for other team members on selected functions as may be required.
- Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.