United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in around 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development results.

UNDP China is the China country office of the United Nations Development Programme – the global development network of the United Nations. UNDP has been working in China over the past 40 years, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development. We provide development advisory services and implement projects through innovation and applying our international experience and network in three pillars: supporting China’s transformation to a low-carbon economy so that more people enjoy a cleaner, healthier environment; facilitating China’s shift to using the SDGs as a standard for its inclusive development, economic decisions and investments, and supporting China’s international cooperation and south-south engagement for SDG attainment.

In the Asia and Pacific region, UNDP drives one of the largest youth movements for empowerment, equality, social inclusion, and social justice (Youth Co: Lab). The programme empowers and invests in youth, so that they can accelerate the implementation of the SDGs through leadership, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. Working with partners in government and the private sector, UNDP is co-creating national and regional programmes positioning young people front and center to solve the region’s pressing problems. Through our country offices we are working with young people to build entrepreneurial skills and capacity, help governments increase engagement with young people by creating supportive policy and regulatory environments; and working with private sector, academia and other partners to create an enabling ecosystem for young social entrepreneurs.

the UNDP BRH and UNDP China are looking for a project-based Youth Development Specialist to support the regional youth projects. In addition, The Specialist will lead UNDP China youth projects, promote strategic partnerships through partnership building and coordination, the organization of high-level events, project implementation for youth development with a focus in China and provide necessary youth relevant technical support to other teams in the office. This project-based position will be fully funded by UNDP BRH outposted in China.

While the recruitment will be initiated at the CO to manage both the youth programme activities and those of the RBAP’s Youth Portfolio, the Youth Development Specialist will report to the overall supervision of the Team Leader of People and Prosperity Team at UNDP China and the Programme Specialist of Civil Society and Youth, Governance and Peace Building Team at BRH.  The Specialist should ensure timely implementation of the activities of the youth programme, identification of potential risks, signal any delays in deliverables, and provide timely quality reporting as needed. Funded 100% with funding under the RBAP’s Youth Portfolio, the contract will be effective immediately upon signature by UNDP China.

UNDP BRH and UNDP China will have the following responsibilities: (i) Provide overall guidance as needed; (ii) Discuss and agree on the assignments as needed by both the CO and the Regional programmme; and (iii) Monitor and evaluate the progress of the assignment (as per PMD).

The present ToR may be subject to modification, without changing the overall objective and the scope of work, on the basis of mutual consultations.

The Youth Development Specialist will oversee resource mobilization, full project formulation, implementation, and management. The Specialist will coordinate project activities with relevant Government partners, private sector, local PMOs, and other stakeholders at international, national and local levels.

Ensure effective oversight of project Implementation and Management

• Take the lead in formation of youth development portfolio in China by developing an overall youth strategy with a focus on SDGs and a linkage with existing project in UNDP China.
• Manage and implement the ongoing UNDP China youth projects and UN Thematic Group on Youth (UNTGY) youth events.
• Monitor and ensure delivery of resources and results according to planned targets of the youth portfolio.
• Ensure the timeliness and quality of the outputs as well as timely preparation of reports on achievements and challenges faced within the youth projects in the CO.
• Ensure that UNDP rules and regulations concerning M&E, finance, procurement, and human resources are adhered to.
• Strategically provide youth-related advice to UNDP China office.
• Take the lead in integrating youth with other program portfolios and facilitate cross-team collaborations for SDG localization in China and in other developing countries.
• Ensure the timeliness and quality of the outputs as well as timely preparation of reports on achievements and challenges faced within the projects in the CO.

Establish and maintain strategic partnerships and lead the resource mobilization and advocacy to achieve programme outcomes.

• Manage strategic relationships with government agencies including All-China Youth Federation, Soong Ching Ling Foundation, CICETE.
• Take the lead in mobilization of resources from different partners.
• Develop pipeline projects with potential partners, including government, private sector and youth organizations.
• Develop and manage the partnership with other UN agencies within the UNTGY and co-lead the Youth Consultation Group of UNTGY along with UNICEF.
• Lead in designing portfolio communication strategy for the Youth Program.
• Develop and maintain youth-related knowledge products in China.

Ensure systematic integration of gender mainstreaming into project.

• Ensure the full implementation of the CO GES strategy in the team and more than 50% resources invested for gender equality.
• Lead the design and implementation of gender-responsive youth project activities.

Ensure the strategic management of UNDP BRH Youth Programme

• Lead the implementation of initiatives of UNDP BRH youth portfolio in China through Youth Co: Lab in close coordination with BRH youth team to apply for new regional initiatives.
• Develop initiatives on Youth and Environment in China in close coordination with Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP)
• Oversight the procurement and recruitment of related BRH project activities.
• Take lead in Localizing BRH youth-related knowledge products in China and giving country perspective advice.
• Manage regional youth social media campaign in China.
• Ensure delivery of resources and results of BRH youth portfolio in China.
• Ensure the timeliness and quality of the outputs as well as timely preparation of reports on achievements and challenges faced within the BRH outputs in China.

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

2030 Agenda: Peace

• Governance: Youth; Youth Leadership and Participation

Business Direction & 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 Management

• Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication
• Project Management : Ability to plan, organize, prioritise and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Resource Management: Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity.

Partnership management

• Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.