Job Description
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• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)  
• Tier 2: Staff holding UNDP temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts and Expert and Specialist UNVs with host entity UNDP
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
   

Background

UNDP’s governance and civic engagement initiatives are grounded in the belief that sustainable peace and inclusive development depend on effective, accountable, and participatory institutions. A key condition for such governance is the ability of citizens, especially young people, women, and marginalized groups, to actively and meaningfully participate in public affairs, hold institutions accountable, and co-create solutions that strengthen trust and cohesion between citizens and the state. Youth represent a significant portion of Nepal’s population and play a crucial role in shaping the country’s democratic processes. However, barriers such as lack of access to information, political awareness, social exclusion, and structural marginalization continue to hinder equitable youth participation in civic spaces, particularly for young women and other marginalized youth. 

In this regard, to translate civic engagement in practice, UNDP Nepal will focus on strengthening inclusive, participatory, and accountable governance in Nepal by advancing political literacy and civic education, empowering young people as informed, responsible, and engaged citizens, and fostering trust and cohesion between citizens and the state. Through civic learning, digital literacy, and critical engagement with information, the initiative seeks to transform civic awareness into active participation, ensuring that governance processes are transparent, responsive, and reflective of the voices of all citizens, particularly youth, women, and marginalized groups. The goal is to ensure that youth, including young women and youth from marginalized communities, hold more leadership roles and influence governance reforms, supported by safer civic spaces. 

Considering this UNDP Nepal will be addressing these challenges through the project “Advancing Civic Engagement for Democratic Participation (the Project).” 

The project focuses on strengthening the capacities of youth networks, partnering with civil society, academic institutions, and government to foster meaningful youth participation in governance. It envisions a series of civic and political literacy initiatives; the establishment and strengthening of youth councils and participatory mechanisms; building their capacity for evidence generation to support policymaking and advocacy and engagement with youth-led groups and marginalized communities to empower them to participate safely, counter misinformation, and drive civic-tech innovations that expand access to credible information and strengthen democratic accountability.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordination Specialist and overall guidance of Portfolio Manager, the Youth Engagement Analyst will provide dedicated technical support to ensure that the project’s youth, civic engagement, and inclusion components are coordinated and implemented according to targets and results set forth in the project document.

Under the day-to-day supervision of the Project Coordination Specialist and overall guidance of Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) (Governance) and in close coordination of Portfolio Manager, the Youth Engagement Analyst will be responsible for the following: 

Coordinate youth‑related activities to ensure effective project implementation

• Closely work among project teams to support in the formulation and implementation of the quarterly and annual project work plan
• Coordinate and engage in the full implementation of youth focused initiative on day-to-day operations
• Assist Project Coordination Specialist in the preparation of annual reports, documentation of good practices, learning and the progress to prepare reports including ROAR for Country Office and for donors
• Support Project Coordination Specialist to coordinate with experts to facilitate in the establishment, strengthening, and institutionalization of youth councils, civic forums, and participatory mechanisms at national and subnational levels.
• Provide technical inputs to embed youth evidence and participation within governance systems, including integration into local development plans.
• Collect and keep track of youth-related practices in Nepal, including the youth and partners database.
• Closely observe and document youth participation trends, barriers, and opportunities, producing regular analytical briefs to inform adaptive programming.
• Facilitate coordination with youth led organizations, civil society partners, academic institutions, digital rights actors, and government counterparts.
• Support project coordination specialist for the creation of a vibrant ecosystem for civic engagement, fostering collaboration and synergies across stakeholders.

Provide capacity development support on Civic, Political, and Digital Literacy

• Coordinate with partners/stakeholders and support them to design and deliver training modules, workshops, and learning materials on youth focused civic education, political literacy, leadership, and digital/media literacy.
• Support partners to facilitate peer to peer learning exchanges, mentorship programmes, and leadership programmes for youth networks.
• Evaluate training/orientations effectiveness through pre and post assessments, feedback mechanisms, and follow up coaching support.
• Contribute to sector wide coordination and joint planning in areas related to youth participation, civic education, and governance.

Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)

• Support Project Coordination Specialist to apply intersectional analysis to identify barriers faced by young women, marginalized youth, and excluded communities in civic participation.
• Ensure GESI principles are systematically integrated across project activities, tools, and partnerships.
• Develop and apply GESI sensitive monitoring indicators to track participation outcomes and ensure accountability.
• Document inclusive practices, lessons learned, and innovations to strengthen the project’s responsiveness to diverse youth populations.

Evidence Generation and Advocacy Support

• Assist youth led groups in conducting research and generating evidence to inform policymaking and advocacy.
• Integrate research findings into policy briefs, advocacy messages, and inputs for local and provincial planning processes.
• Support youth networks in organizing evidence-based advocacy campaigns, dialogues, and consultations with decisionmakers.
• Build capacities of youth organizations to collect, analyze, and use disaggregated data for inclusive governance reforms.

Ensure Operations Coordination and Compliance 

• Work closely among project teams and with UNDP operations (procurement, finance, HR) to ensure timely recruitment, procurement and contracting in compliance with UNDP policies. 
• Prepare terms of references, agreements and support in procurement of sub-contractors, and consultants for timely procurement of goods and services. 
• Coordinate with project coordination specialist and other experts to ensure effective implementation, including monitoring the progress and addressing challenges requiring adjustments.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing 

• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues. Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. 

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results:  LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business direction and strategy

• System Thinking - Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business development

• Knowledge Generation - Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
• Knowledge Facilitation - Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange

Business Management

• Communication:
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate Channels

Partnership management     

• Strategic engagement - Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their UNDP | People for 2030 – Competency Framework – Technical Competencies (2024) buy-in of high-level vision and objectives

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance - Youth Empowerment
• Governance - Inclusion and Participation of Marginalized Groups

2030 Agenda: People                             

• Gender - Innovation for Gender Equality

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Governance, Peace and Conflict management, Political Sciences, Social Studies, International Development, Human Rights, Law or related fields is required. OR 
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in development work including project implementation, coordination, quality assurance, monitoring in governance, civic engagement, youth, human rights, or related fields; 

Required skills

• At least 2 years’ experience directly working at the field level with local partners and CSOs. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and working experience with local, provincial governments and experience on governance, civic engagement and democratic participation. 
• Experience of working with youth, women and marginalized communities.
• Proficiency in computer applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 

Desired skills 

• Knowledge and experience of working with civil society, women’s groups, and youth groups will be an advantage. 
• Expertise in gender sensitive conflict analysis, do no harm and experience in applying such analysis to local development contexts in Nepal is an asset. 
• Direct experience in the design and/or implementation of development programmes.
• Proven experience in designing, coordinating, and delivering training programmes on civic education, political literacy, leadership development, and/or digital and media literacy for youth.
• Experience of coordinating with multiple stakeholders and partners, including CSOs, youth networks, government counterparts, and development partners.
• Proven ability to apply intersectional analysis to identify and address barriers faced by young women, marginalized youth, and excluded communities in civic and political participation.
• Experience developing and applying GESI-sensitive indicators and tools to track participation, inclusion, and outcomes.
• Proven experience of supporting research, evidence generation, or knowledge products related to youth participation, governance, or civic engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research findings into policy briefs, advocacy messages, or planning inputs for government or policy forums.
• Experience supporting or coordinating evidence-based advocacy initiatives, including campaigns, dialogues, or consultations with decision-makers.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting youth organizations to collect, analyze, and use disaggregated data to inform advocacy and governance reforms.
• Proven experience in strong coordination, facilitation, and partnership-building skills, with the ability to work across diverse stakeholders.
• Proven track record of excellent analytical, writing, and documentation skills, including preparation of reports and knowledge products.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Gender Equality and Social Inclusion will be considered.

Required Languages

• Fluency in written and oral English and Nepali is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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