Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP has been long supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in fostering youth-led MSMEs. The initiative was sharpened in 2021 under the Supporting Employment and Entrepreneurship for Women and Youth (SEEWAY) Project and later was scaled up and sustained under the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Skills (YEES) Project from 2022-2027. To this date, UNDP has been supporting over 300 youth-led enterprises across the country in different sectors and value chains aligning with the government’s priority, such as in agriculture, tourism, and small industry. The youth entrepreneurs were supported through a series of business training and financial access, such as soft loans and grants through the Business Innovation Challenge.
The YEES project is focusing on producing two medium-term sub-outcomes: 1) youth become employed and 2) youth become entrepreneurs, which will contribute to UNSDCF/CPD outcome 2: By 2025, institutions and people throughout Timor-Leste in all their diversity, especially women and youth, benefit from sustainable economic opportunities and decent work to reduce poverty, with three interrelated outputs:
Output 1: Youth obtain skills, competencies, and knowledge to be employed.
Output 2: Service providers are available to deliver holistic support to enhance employability.
Output 3: Youth, including migrants/returnees, obtain skills, knowledge, and services to start or expand their business.
In order to achieve outputs 1 & 2, the YEES Project will deliver numerous activities to enhance the employability of youth and to foster an enabling environment to facilitate the match-making between job seekers and job providers. Against this backdrop, the YEES Project will hire a Youth Employment Associate to oversee and facilitate project activities related to increasing the capacity of Timorese youth to be employed and encouraging service providers to deliver holistic support to raise employability.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide support to coordinate the development of training modules including soft job skill training module and career counseling module, facilitating relevant training on trainers (ToT), and training for youth;
- Assist project to develop the work plan and operate routinely project activities including the Youth Internship Programme and facilitating necessary training on soft job skills, career counseling training, etc;
- Facilitate the communication between project stakeholders to deal with project activities on the employment components such as developing the SIMU-web, holding a career fair, operating an internship program, providing training on soft job skills and career counseling, etc;
- Provide support on management, collection, and making the database of beneficiaries of youth who participated in the project activities under employment components or relevant activities under the UNDP;
- Assist the project team in facilitating workshops on various topics of enhancing employability such as career fairs, education fairs, learning sessions, business networking events, etc;
- Assist project effective coordination between project stakeholders and relevant institutions on related issues on employability skills development and effective service to the youth;
- Provide support in monitoring of the track progress and timely delivery of project activities regarding all project activities related to youth employment.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
The Youth Employment Associate will work under the supervision of the Project Manager of the YEES project. On a day-to-day basis, the Youth Employment Associate will work closely with the YEES Project team, especially with the Youth Employment Assistant and field coordinators in four municipalities (Dili, Liquica, Ermera, and Baucau) to provide necessary services to the youth. The Youth Employment Associate will work at the project office in Dili to conduct the work described in ‘3. Scope of Work’ within the duration of the contract.
Competencies
| Core |
| 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 a 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 (insert up to 7 competencies) | Thematic Area | Name | Definition | | Business Management | Project Management | 1. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals | | Business Management | Monitoring | 1. Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results | | Business Management | Communication | 1. 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 2. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels | | Business Management | Partnerships Management | 1. Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies | | Business Management | Operations Management | 1. Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. 2. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms. | | 2030 Agenda: Peace | Governance | Youth socio-economic empowerment | | 2030 Agenda: Peace | Recovery Solution and Human Mobility | Youth Employment | |
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Education requirements:
- Secondary Education or
- A university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Business Administration, Economics, Management, or any relevant major will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Min. years of relevant work experience:
- Minimum of six (6) years (with secondary education) or three (3) years (with a bachelor’s degree) of working experience in providing support on youth employment, job skill training, career counseling, and/or any activities related to youth empowerment.
- Experience and knowledge of facilitating workshops, training, meetings, or events such as career fairs are necessary.
- Experience in the use of computers, office software (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web- based management systems such as ERP is required.
Required skills:
- Experience and knowledge of facilitating workshops, training, meetings, or events such as career fairs are necessary;
- Experience in the use of computers, office software (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web- based management systems such as ERP is required.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:
- Experience and knowledge of operating or establishing a job portal website are desired;
- Has experience in coordination with project team and the stakeholders
- Previous experience with UNDP or United Nations/INGO youth innovation and entrepreneurship program would be an advantage.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, prepare reports, and deliver audience-focused training is an asset;
- Experience in maintaining databases and monitoring the progress of work is desired;
Language:
- Fluency in English and Tetum, both writing and speaking is required.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.