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The United Nations welcomes applications for the position of Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, as head of the United Nations Youth Office in New York

admin April 23, 2023

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DEADLINE: 01 May 2023

The United Nations welcomes applications for the position of Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, as head of the United Nations Youth Office in New York

Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs

The United Nations welcomes applications for the position of Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, as head of the United Nations Youth Office in New York. The Secretariat welcomes applications to supplement the Secretary-General’s search and consultations and would especially welcome candidates preferably under the age of 35 years, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 76/306 on the Establishment of the United Nations Youth Office. Applications from women candidates are highly encouraged.

Applications must be submitted through the following website: https://www.un.org/sg/en/vacancies/index.shtml by Monday, 1 May 2023 (midnight New York time).

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence, and short-listed candidates will be contacted directly to undergo an assessment process, reference and background checks, including human rights and conflicts of interest screening.

The Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs is a member of the Global Leadership Team of the Secretary-General and, as such, serves as a role model for the United Nations Values (Inclusion, Integrity, Humility and Humanity) and Behaviours Framework (Connect and Collaborate; Analyse and Plan; Deliver Results with Positive Impact; Learn and Develop; and Adapt and Innovate) and the desired behaviours of the United Nations System Leadership Framework.

Background

The United Nations Youth Office is being established after the adoption of resolution 76/306 on the Establishment of the United Nations Youth Office by the General Assembly on September 8, 2022, followed by General Assembly resolution 77/263 adopted on 30 December 2022, which approved the establishment of the United Nations Youth Office and its associated budget.

The United Nations Youth Office will, inter alia, lead engagement and advocacy for the advancement of youth issues across the United Nations, in the areas of peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. It will promote meaningful, inclusive and effective engagement of youth and youth- led and youth-focused organizations in the work of the United Nations. It will encourage greater United Nations system-wide collaboration, coordination and accountability on the advancement of youth issues, including support to Member States.

The full scope of the mandate for the Office is available at the following link: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3987020#record-files-collapse-header

Duties and Responsibilities

The Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs will represent the Secretary-General on all matters relating to the United Nations system-wide work on youth, subject to United Nations authorities and mandates, and will report to the Secretary-General. The Assistant Secretary-General will be responsible for implementing the mandate of the United Nations Youth Office, as specified in paragraph 3 of General Assembly resolution 76/306.

The Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs will lead high-level political advocacy and outreach for the effective advancement of youth issues and youth engagement across the work of the United Nations and will have overall responsibility for the management of the United Nations Youth Office.

The overall responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary-General will include:

leading collaboration, coordination, engagement and advocacy for the advancement of youth issues across the United Nations in the areas of peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights;

conducting regular high-level engagement with Member States representatives, Principals of United Nations organs and United Nations system senior management;

leading country visits and bilateral meetings with ministers responsible for youth, and participating in relevant international meetings;

engaging with youth-focused envoys, representatives and offices of regional and international organizations on advancing youth issues and facilitating intergenerational and intercultural dialogue, collaboration and solidarity; and

providing overall substantive and strategic guidance, including financial planning, organizing, guiding, coordinating and reporting on the activities of the United Nations Youth Office, and ensuring that the operations of the Office are conducted in compliance with United Nations regulations, rules and policies.

Skills and Expertise

The Secretary-General is seeking an inspiring individual with:

demonstrated expertise and commitment to youth issues including youth development and youth participation and to working with young people, including those from diverse and the most marginalized backgrounds;

excellent advocacy, communication and digital skills, including capacity to represent the views, interests and rights of young people at the global level;

proven experience in the field of youth affairs in multilateral, national or local settings, working with a youth-led or youth-focused organization, government and/or civil society organizations;

strong capacities in management and innovation, including management of

multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams; resource mobilization and entrepreneurial thinking;

international exposure, strong knowledge of the work of the United Nations and political acumen;

demonstrated commitment to the values of the United Nations and impeccable personal and professional integrity;

demonstrated understanding of the United Nations system, including, of current

and emerging issues/challenges impacting youth globally and familiarity with relevant intergovernmental processes; and

advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in international development, humanities or social sciences, is desirable. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified field of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in English is required. A working knowledge of another United Nations official language will be an advantage.

Human rights screening

Individuals who seek to serve with the United Nations in any individual capacity will be required, if short-listed, to complete a self-attestation stating that they have not committed, been convicted of, nor prosecuted for, any criminal offence, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and have not been involved, by act or omission, in the commission of any violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law, including sexual exploitation and abuse.

Conflicts of interest screening

All United Nations staff members are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. Senior leaders in particular, have the responsibility to serve as role models inupholding the Organization’s ethical standards.

A conflict of interest occurs when, by act or omission, a staff member’s personal interests interfere with the performance of their official duties and responsibilities, or call into question their integrity, independence and impartiality. Risk for conflicts of interest may arise from a staff member’s engagement in outside (non-UN) employment or occupation; outside activities, including political activities; receipt of gifts, honours, awards, favours or remuneration from external (non-UN)

sources; orpersonal investment. In particular, no staff member shall accept any honour, decoration, favour, gift or remuneration from any Government (staff regulation 1.2 (j)).

Where a real or perceived conflict of interest does arise, senior leaders are obligated to disclose this to the Organization without delay. In order to avoid real or perceived family influence or preferential treatment and conflicts of interest that could stem from such situations, the United Nations Staff Rules provide that appointments “shall not be granted to anyone who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister of a staff member” (staff rule 4.7 (a)).

Short-listed individuals will also be required to complete a pre-appointment declaration of interests for senior positions to identify possible conflicts of interest that may arise and to proactively prevent and manage, as much as possible and in a timely manner, situations in which personal interests may conflict or appear to conflict with the interests of the United Nations, should the individual be appointed to this position.