Find Latest Jobs in Pakistan

Purpose of consultancy:

Development of adolescents and youth engagement strategy for the National Youth Development Program

Scope of work:(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Background:

Pakistan is currently one of the youngest countries in the world. While population below the age of 30 makes up nearly two-thirds of Pakistan’s 207.8 million population, young people (15-29 years) account for about 29% of the country’s total population. In other words, there are approximately 60 million young people in Pakistan. The share of young people in the population is likely to increase further in the coming years. This large cohort of youth is seen as the beacon of prosperity capturing the demographic dividend in Pakistan . Pakistan’s large youth bulge represents both an opportunity and a risk for the socio-economic development of the country. On the one hand, it means a rise in the proportion of working age population and entry of a large number of youth into labour market. If these new entrants to the labour market can be absorbed into productive activities, it will boost the income per capita and result in a demographic dividend. On the other hand, if these entrants can’t find decent work opportunities, then the youth bulge is likely to become a demographic time bomb. In short, the youth bulge is bound to affect the country’s socio-economic development one or the other way.

The window of opportunity presented by the youth bulge will not be available forever. Therefore, it is vital for the local and provincial governments as well as federal government to take all possible steps to tap the potential of the youth within the limited time window. Most importantly, governments will need to invest in young people to enable them to lead active and fulfilling lives

Pakistan has, in recent years showed its resolute commitment to youth development, evident from the adoption of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as various youth initiatives that acknowledges the need for positive youth development and empowerment. The Government first developed and approved the National Youth Development Framework and then launched the Prime Minister’s National Youth Development Programme known as “Kamyab Jawan”. This program is based on a pioneer framework that seeks to fulfil Pakistan’s global commitments through youth empowerment and engagement for achieving SDGs, with the main focus on mainstreaming marginalized youth groups.

UNFPA Pakistan has partnered with the Prime Minister Office – Kamyab Jawan team and under the leadership of the Special Assistant on Youth Affairs to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, is the leading partner for the youth engagement component of the National Youth Development Framework. In this regard, UNFPA is providing technical assistance to the Kamyab Jawan Program for the development of the ‘Youth Engagement Strategy’, to help guide the NYDF’s overarching objectives. This provides for an opportunity for individual consultant, to develop the strategy in close collaboration with the Kamyab Jawan team.

Duration and working schedule: 4 months (September to December 2021).

Place where services are to be delivered: Islamabad – Prime Minister’s Office

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

The key tasks of the consultant will include:

1. Desk Review: Conduct analysis of global best practices on youth engagement strategy.

2. Partnership mapping and coordination: identify key government and non-government counterparts/ youth-led platforms, youth-led organizations, stakeholders in influencing the development and implementation of the strategy at the national and provincial level.

3. Strategy development: develop an overall adolescents and youth engagement strategy, including an implementation plan based on the policy analysis, consultations, and mapping focusing on key priority areas of the National Youth Development Framework.

4. Consultation with stakeholders: conduct digital consultations/ online feedback mechanism for young people’s inputs on the draft strategy and implementation plan with internal and external stakeholders. Identify relevant stakeholders and approach them, set meetings and lead the process.

5. Finalization of the strategy.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The consultant is required to work in close collaboration with the Kamyab Jawan Program team. The consultant will report the progress to UNFPA on monthly basis in narrative report and is expected to work closely with UNFPA Programme Analyst (Youth) for matters related to relevant deliverables

Supervisory arrangements:

During the course of the assignment, the consultant will work under the immediate supervision of UNFPA Programme Analyst (Youth) and overall guidance of the Deputy Representative of UNFPA. Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the Deputy Representative and Representative – UNFPA.

Expected travel: No travel is required

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

The consultant will be expected to have his/her own computer and other equipment needed for this assignment and is expected to follow working modality of UNFPA. The consultant will be based at the Prime Minister Office, providing support to the Kamyab Jawan team.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Knowledge and Experience:

• Advanced university degree in communication, public health, social sciences or other relevant studies.

• At least 5 years of experience in conceptualizing, designing and/or managing programs in the area of youth engagement/ youth empowerment/ youth development.

• Proven experience of at least 3 years in designing and implementing youth engagement strategies and programs focused on positive adolescents/youth development

• Experience in developing communication tools/materials related to adolescents and youth empowerment

• Strong knowledge of contemporary development issues nationally and globally on adolescents and youth meaningful engagement, educational attainment, health and wellbeing, community engagement, participation in civic issues, livelihoods and employment, entrepreneurship and national and global planning frameworks

• Strong knowledge of SDGs and Pakistan’s commitments to the goals.

• Excellent networks/linkages with government and civil society partners

• Prior work experience with a UN agency is an asset.

Functional competencies:

• Advocacy/Advancing a policy oriented agenda

• Results-based programme development and management

• Innovation and adopting new approaches

Core Competencies:

• Values: Integrity/Commitment to mandate, Knowledge sharing/Continuous learning, Valuing diversity

• Managing Relationships: Working in teams, Communicating information and ideas, Conflict and self-management

• Working with people: Empowerment/Developing people/Performance management

• Personal Leadership and Effectiveness: Strategic and analytical thinking, Results orientation/Commitment to excellence, Appropriate and transparent decision making

Languages:

Written/ verbal competency in English and Urdu is required. Any regional language is desirable.