Professional Role – Regional Youth Engagement

Duties and Responsibilities

The DCO Regional Office for Africa (DCO-Africa), established in July 2019 in Addis Ababa, provides strategic support to 53 Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams (UNCTs) across Africa in the integrated implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the African Union Agenda 2063. The Intern will be based at the UNDCO Regional Office for Africa in Addis Ababa and will report to the Regional Communications Officer, in close collaboration with programme colleagues. The internship will support the Regional Office in strengthening youth engagement across Africa through analysis of youth priorities and how they are reflected in UN Cooperation Frameworks, including how innovation and digital solutions can support youth participation in accelerating SDG implementation. The insights generated will inform the Regional Office’s communications outreach and knowledge products on youth engagement, among others, in support of the roll-out of the Pact for the Future.

The Intern’s Scope of Work will Include:

Programme Analysis on Youth Engagement

• Support analytical work on youth engagement across Africa, including reviewing UN Cooperation Frameworks to identify how youth priorities are reflected in national development efforts.
• Contribute to analysis on how innovation and digital solutions can support youth participation in accelerating SDG implementation, identifying relevant practices from UN Country Teams and partners.
• Assist in identifying examples of youth engagement initiatives and innovative approaches that can inform regional outreach and knowledge sharing.

Events and Campaigns

• Provide substantive and operational support to the organization of a regional youth engagement event linked to the roll-out of the Pact for the Future in Africa.
• Support coordination with Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams to facilitate country-level parallel sessions aligned with the regional event.
• Assist in preparing concept notes, background materials, campaign materials, talking points, run-of-show documents, and post-event summaries.
• Support outreach to youth networks, partners, and stakeholders to ensure broad and inclusive participation.

Knowledge Products and Media Monitoring

• Translate analytical insights on youth engagement into inputs for communications outreach and knowledge products, including briefs, summaries, and key messages.
• Support the compilation of inputs for the DCO Policy Bulletin, liaising with colleagues, drafting summaries, and ensuring timely consolidation of content.
• Compile daily morning headlines relevant to Africa and sustainable development.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as requested by the Regional Office, such as organizing webinars and meetings, taking notes, etc.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• Applicants must meet one of the following requirements at the time of application:
• a. Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher),
• b. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent),
• c. Have graduated with a Bachelor's degree, Master's, PhD, or equivalent.
• Preferred areas of study include International Relations, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Communications, or other relevant areas. Applicants from a wide range of academic disciplines are welcome to apply.
• International experience is an asset.
• Intercultural communication skills and experience are desirable.
• Experience working with AI and digital tools is desirable.
• Experience building partnerships for development is desirable.
• Experience in analytical research is desirable.
• Good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Teams.
• Demonstrated interest in youth engagement and sustainable development is desirable.
• Applicants must be a student in the final year of their first university degree (Bachelor or equivalent), Master’s, or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. Programme.
• Proof of meeting the criteria must be attached to the application.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. Fluency in English is required for this internship.

Additional Information

• No professional work experience is required. Experience in youth engagement, event coordination, research and analysis, or communications is desirable.
• International experience is considered an asset.
• Experience organizing large events is desirable.

Intern Specific Text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation, and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

Skills Required:

• Any / Field