Mission and objectives

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. The UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) based in Samoa, which covers Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau, implements the UNDP Subregional Programme Document for the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (2018-22), which is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and country priorities as reflected in national development plans. In close partnership with the four Governments, UNDP works in collaboration with donors, the private sector, civil society organizations and local communities, academia, media and regional organizations to provide global knowledge and integrated development solutions to development challenges. UNDP promotes a whole-of-society approach to deliver on the ambition of the 2030 Agenda, with greater involvement of civil society actors, emphasis on empowering women, youth and vulnerable groups, and centered on the principle of leaving no one behind. UNDP’s work is centred around six core development areas, known as our “signature solutions”: poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality. We help countries develop policies, skills, partnerships and institution-al capabilities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Guided by the UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025, advisory and implementation work focuses on three directions of systemic change: • Structural Transformation: including green, inclusive and digital transitions to effect change in systems and structures that shape a country’s sustainable development; • Leaving No One Behind: a rights-based approach centred on empowerment, inclusion, equity, human agency and human development; • Building Resilience: strengthening countries and institutions to prevent, mitigate and respond to crisis, conflict, natural disasters, climate and social and economic shocks. Our MCO works in partnership with the four Governments (Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau), non-Government organizations, civil society and the private sector, as well as international development partners and other United Nations agencies. We support them to design and implement large scale development initiatives that deliver lasting social, economic and environmental improvements in countries across the region. In Samoa, UNDP partners closely with the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD) of Samoa to support their work towards local communities, with a particular focus on women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Context

The context of youth empowerment The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the key role of youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and calls for action against the challenges faced by young people that limits their economic, social and political inclusion. To-day, young people are more connected and more informed than any previous generation. Young people are responding to the challenges of today with innovative approaches, contributing fresh ideas, creating the world they want, and driving human development for themselves, their communities and their societies. But inflation, cost of education, restrained job markets, early family responsibilities, long-lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other sociopolitical challenges leave many young people at the risk of economic insecurity. Today’s youth is the front liner generation to climate change, who will have to cope and respond to its direct impacts during their lifetime. In addition, young people tend to be left out of decision-making processes that will shape their future, which further contributes to their exclusion. The youth needs to not only benefit equally from development initiatives, but also have the opportunity to reach their full potential as agents of change in their communities. The modalities of the United Nations Volunteering UNDP and the MWCSD of Samoa are partnering to recruit a national United Nations Volunteer to support their work on youth engagement and empowerment in Samoa. (S)he will conduct activities to strengthen youth engagement in community projects and in climate action, through supporting the implementation of MWCSD projects, the Youth Engagement project design and fundraising, communications, and monitoring and evaluation. The time of the UNV will be shared among the two host entities, spending 60% of their working time at the MWCSD of Samoa (3 days a week) and 40% at UNDP (2 days a week).

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the MCO Assistant Resident Representative for the Governance and Prosperity Unit and guidance from the CEO of MWCSD, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Support the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development in their youth engagement initiatives: • Support the design and implementation of community outreach and consultations, with a focus on youth’s active participation • Support the organization of youth-targeted and youth-led projects activities. • Contribute to the data collection informing the Monitoring and Evaluation framework of undertaken projects. • Support the communications efforts, in English and Samoan, to best reach the target youth audience and to showcase best practices of youth engagement. 2. Support the UNDP MCO in building a youth engagement project portfolio with focus on green transformation: • Develop and support youth engagement in UNDP’s Pacific Green Transformation Project aiming to help Samoa transition to low-carbon mobility. • Work with the regional UNDP Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Plat-form (YECAP) and other youth empowerment initiatives such as Youth Co:Lab and Movers programme to identify entry points for these initiative in Samoa. • Produce a youth leadership mapping in Samoa compiling contacts and case studies of youth activists, youth groups, youth-led and youth-targeted development initiatives on climate and social topics. • Collect lessons learned and best practices on youth engagement from other UNDP country offices (including on convening Youth Parliaments), facilitating knowledge exchange in the Asia-Pacific region, in partnership with the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. • In collaboration with the UNDP Governance and Poverty Reduction Unit and the Environment and Climate Change Unit, and in consultations with partners, develop project concept notes on youth employment, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and youth-led activism on climate and social issues, exploring synergies with other UNDP priorities such as gender equality between young women and men. • Support the organization of a Policy Dialogue on youth engagement in Samoa reuniting a variety of stakeholders including youth representatives, community leaders, and experts • Support communications material on youth engagement for the MCO.

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

Living conditions and remarks

Samoa is an island country located in the Polynesian South Pacific subregion. Approximately 200,000 people reside in Samoa by the latest 2021 Population and Housing Census. Apia is the capital of Samoa, and the most populated area of the country. The climate is tropical, with the cyclone season running from May/June through October/November. Samoan and English are the two national languages. The cost of living in Samoa is 1.76 less expensive than the world average but still ranked 155th out of 197 countries by cost of living. Samoa is a car-dependent country with few public transportation options. The UNV Specialist will be hosted 3 days a week at the MWCSD Office and 2 days a week at the UNDP Office. (S)he will be provided with a working desk and a computer for professional use. The purpose of allowances for UN Volunteers is to enable them to sustain a modest and secure standard of living at the duty station. The allowances are in no way to be understood as a compensation, reward or salary in exchange for the volunteer work. • Monthly Living Allowance: WST 2200.74 • Entry Lump Sum: USD 400 • Medical and life insurance (Cigna) • Leave entitlements (annual leave, sick leave, learning leave, maternity/ paternity leave – details can be found in the Conditions of Service: https://explore.unv.org/cos • Access to UNV’s learning and career development resources • Exit Lump Sum: WST 183.40 for each month served, paid on completion of contract