JOB DESCRIPTION

General Information

Position Title

Member: UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform

Job Category

Diversity and Inclusion

Duty Station(s)

Home based

Seniority Level

Entry Level

ICS Level

Internship

Contract Type

Internship

Contract Level

Internship

Posting Start Date

26-Nov-2025

Posting End Date

31-Dec-2025

Duration

12 months

Job Highlight

This role is an exceptional opportunity for young leaders to help shape the future of UNOPS and sustainable development by bringing a clear, grounded youth perspective into high-level decision-making. As a member of the Youth Engagement Platform, you will contribute to UNOPS’ strategic initiatives by analysing emerging development challenges affecting young people, advising on policies and programmes, and proposing concrete, youth-informed recommendations.

The position offers a unique platform to collaborate with global leaders and technical experts across regions, influence organisational culture and practice from within, and represent youth perspectives in key internal and external forums. While not a personnel position, it provides meaningful exposure to the UN system, hands-on experience in policy analysis, public speaking and advocacy, and a chance to drive tangible change towards the 2030 Agenda, together with a diverse cohort of peers from around the world. Please note that participation in this platform is not subject to remuneration. Compensation will be provided solely for travel undertaken on behalf of UNOPS.

Job Specific Context

The UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform (YEP), under the motto “30 below 30, to get 2030,” was established by the UNOPS Executive Director to serve as an advisory group. The Platform aims to harness the perspectives, creativity, and expertise of young leaders to shape UNOPS’ contributions to global sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda.

The Platform provides strategic input and recommendations to UNOPS Management and Leadership on youth-centric and inter-generational perspectives to be considered and integrated in driving UNOPS” mission and agenda forward.

The Platform also serves as an ambassadorial group, representing UNOPS externally at key events and engagements as part of UNOPS outreach and engagement efforts. You can read more about the platform in this TOR.

UNOPS is looking for young leaders between the ages of 17 and 29 who bring a passion for sustainable development, demonstrated through diverse experiences. We value the unique perspectives and contributions from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities. We are searching for 15 internal UNOPS talents and 14 external visionaries to collaborate with our leadership in bringing innovative solutions to the table and representing UNOPS on the global stage for a one-year term on a pro-bono basis.

*** IMPORTANT INFORMATION ***

Please note that to complete the application, you will have to upload the following materials in one combined PDF document:

1. Your Resume/CV describing relevant experiences and qualifications
2. Description of a project or initiative you have been involved in that demonstrates your commitment to sustainable development. (max. 2000 characters)
3. Open-source link to a video submission, up to 90 seconds long, explaining why you are passionate about sustainable development and how your involvement adds value to the UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform.

Role Purpose

As a YEP member, you will serve as a youth advisor to UNOPS leadership, bringing lived experience, fresh ideas, and youth-informed insights to global development and the SDGs. You will help analyse emerging challenges affecting young people, review and advise on UNOPS strategies and initiatives from a youth lens, and propose practical recommendations to make UNOPS’ work more inclusive and impactful for your generation.

In this high-profile role, you may also represent UNOPS youth perspectives in internal briefings and selected international forums, contribute to youth-inclusive approaches in projects and operations, and collaborate with peers from different regions. The position is not a personnel role, but it offers a unique opportunity for young leaders to influence decision-making at the heart of a UN organisation while building skills in policy analysis, public speaking, leadership, and inclusive advocacy.

Please note that participation in this platform is not subject to remuneration. Compensation will be provided solely for travel undertaken on behalf of UNOPS.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Generate Youth-Led Insights on SDG and Development Trends

The YEP acts as a youth intelligence hub for UNOPS, providing analysis and lived-experience perspectives on emerging and evolving development challenges linked to the SDGs.

Key functions include:

• Identifying trends, risks, and opportunities affecting young people in UNOPS’ areas of work (infrastructure, procurement, project management, climate, fragility, etc.).
• Providing rapid feedback on global and regional developments from a youth lens to inform UNOPS strategies, policies, and programming.
• Contributing youth-informed viewpoints to internal analyses, strategy reviews, and foresight exercises.

2. Provide Strategic Advisory Input to UNOPS Leadership and Initiatives

The YEP serves as a consultative advisory body to UNOPS senior leadership and key corporate initiatives, ensuring that youth perspectives are embedded upstream in decision-making.

Key functions include:

• Reviewing and advising on selected strategic frameworks, policies, and flagship initiatives from a youth, DEI, and intergenerational equity perspective.
• Participating in targeted consultations with the Executive Director, UNOPS Management Team, and relevant units on issues where youth experience and innovation can add value.
• Co-creating recommendations and practical proposals that strengthen the relevance, legitimacy, and impact of UNOPS’ work for and with young people.

3. Advance Youth Representation in UNOPS External Engagement and Thought Leadership

The YEP positions UNOPS as a credible, youth-engaging actor in multilateral and development forums, ensuring that young voices are visible and heard in global dialogues.

Key functions include:

• Representing UNOPS youth perspectives at selected international/ regional events, in coordination with UNOPS leadership and external relations.
• Contributing to speaking points, panel interventions, and advocacy messages that highlight youth priorities and showcase UNOPS’ youth-related work.
• Supporting UNOPS’ participation in system-wide youth engagement initiatives and partnerships, in line with the UN Youth Strategy and Youth2030.

4. Strengthen Youth-Inclusive Operational Approaches and Project Delivery

The YEP contributes to youth-inclusive design and implementation of UNOPS operations, so that projects and initiatives better reflect and respond to the realities of young people.

Key functions include:

• Providing practical feedback on project management approaches to enhance youth participation, access, and benefit-sharing.
• Identifying good practices and lessons from youth-engaging projects and feeding them into corporate guidance, tools, and operational standards.
• Advising on how UNOPS can engage young people safely, ethically, and meaningfully as partners, beneficiaries, and innovators in its programmes.

Skills

Intercultural Communication, Leadership, Policy Analysis, Public Speaking, Research, Stakeholder Management

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Age Requirement:

• 17 – 29 years old

Desired Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent

Experience Requirements

Required:

• Demonstrated youth leadership or community engagement (Involvement in a youth-focused initiative, student organisation, community project, volunteer network, or social-impact activity).
• Engagement in national, regional, or international youth platforms (Participation in youth summits, Model UN, youth councils, regional youth networks, or SDG-related youth consultations)
• Experience representing youth perspectives (Examples include speaking at a school/university forum, youth dialogue, community event, or taking part in advocacy or peer-led initiatives).
• Exposure to SDG-related issues or international development (This could come from coursework, volunteering, activism, personal lived experience, or participation in youth networks).
• Demonstrated experience in leading/engaging/contributing on platforms requiring collaboration across diverse groups (group projects, youth organisations, online communities, or volunteer settings).

Desired:

• Experience with the UN system, multilateralism, or global development (Demonstrated through reading, coursework, participation in UN events, youth programmes, or independent exploration of global issue)
• Experience contributing to policy discussions or youth advocacy (This may include: contributing to public campaigns; facilitating dialogues; advising local/community/national/regional/international leaders; or participating in thematic working groups (e.g., climate, gender, education)

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishIntermediateRequiredSpanishFluentDesirableFrenchFluentDesirable

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.