About the Opportunity

The UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform (YEP) offers a unique and prestigious opportunity for young leaders who want to influence global development and contribute directly to UNOPS’ strategic decision-making. As a YEP Member, you will bring authentic youth perspectives into high-level discussions, analyse emerging trends affecting young people, and shape policies, programmes, and organisational priorities.

This role is designed for young changemakers who want to strengthen their leadership, deepen their understanding of international development, and contribute meaningfully to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Important: Participation is voluntary. Compensation is provided only for travel undertaken on behalf of UNOPS.

General Information

Position Title: Member – UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform (YEP)

Job Category: Diversity and Inclusion

Duty Station: Home-based (Remote)

Seniority Level: Entry Level

ICS Level: Internship

Posting Start Date: 26 November 2025

Posting End Date: 31 December 2025

Duration: 12 Months

Why This Role Is Exceptional

• Influence UNOPS’ global policies and strategic frameworks.

• Collaborate with UN leaders, technical experts, and youth advocates worldwide.

• Gain experience in policy analysis, public speaking, inclusive advocacy, and strategic advisory work.

• Represent youth perspectives in regional and international forums.

• Contribute to shaping a more youth-inclusive UNOPS culture.

This platform provides rare, high-profile exposure to the UN system and a chance to help build development solutions that reflect the realities of young people across regions.

Role Purpose

As a YEP Member, you will serve as a youth advisor to UNOPS leadership. Your contributions will help ensure that policies, strategies, programmes, and operations reflect the needs, priorities, and lived experiences of young people globally.

You will:

• Analyse emerging SDG-related challenges affecting youth.

• Provide insights on UNOPS strategies and initiatives.

• Recommend youth-inclusive and intergenerational solutions.

• Represent UNOPS youth perspectives in internal meetings and selected international events.

This advisory role strengthens your skills in leadership, diplomacy, youth engagement, policy analysis, and multilateral development processes.

Participation is not remunerated, but travel costs for official representation are covered.

Key Functions and Expected Results

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

The YEP operates as a youth intelligence hub for UNOPS.

You will:

• Identify global and regional trends affecting young people in areas such as infrastructure, climate resilience, procurement, fragility, and project management.

• Provide rapid youth-lens analysis to strengthen UNOPS’ strategies and foresight work.

• Contribute lived-experience insights to internal reviews and strategic updates.

2. Provide Strategic Advisory Input to UNOPS Leadership

You will help integrate youth perspectives into UNOPS governance, policy, and initiative development.

Key responsibilities:

• Review major strategies, frameworks, and flagship initiatives from a youth, DEI, and intergenerational equity perspective.

• Participate in advisory consultations with UNOPS’ Executive Director and senior leaders.

• Develop actionable recommendations to enhance youth engagement and relevance.

3. Advance Youth Representation in UNOPS External Engagement

In this thought leadership and representation role, you will:

• Represent youth perspectives in selected international and regional forums.

• Contribute to advocacy messages, speaking points, and panel discussions.

• Support UNOPS’ participation in system-wide youth initiatives aligned with the UN Youth Strategy (Youth2030).

4. Strengthen Youth-Inclusive Operational Approaches

Help UNOPS improve youth participation and benefit-sharing in its programmes and operations.

You will:

• Provide feedback on project design and management approaches.

• Identify youth-engagement best practices and lessons learned.

• Promote safe, ethical, and meaningful youth engagement across UNOPS projects.

Eligibility Requirements

Education

• Minimum: High School Diploma or equivalent.

• University studies (ongoing or completed) are an asset but not required.

Experience Requirements

Required Experience

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Youth leadership or community engagement
  (youth organisations, activism, volunteer groups, student initiatives, social-impact projects).

• Participation in youth platforms
  (youth summits, Model UN, youth councils, SDG-youth consultations, regional youth networks).

• Experience representing youth perspectives
  (speaking at forums, advocacy activities, community engagements, peer-led initiatives).

• Exposure to SDG issues or international development
  (through coursework, volunteering, lived experience, online youth networks).

• Ability to collaborate across diverse groups
  (team projects, online communities, youth organisations, multicultural settings).

Desired Experience (Not Mandatory)

• Experience with the UN system, global development, or multilateral processes.

• Contributions to youth policy discussions, thematic working groups, or advocacy campaigns.

• Involvement in youth initiatives on climate, gender, education, governance, or social justice.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is ideal for young people who are:

• Passionate about sustainable development and the SDGs.

• Motivated to influence policies affecting youth globally.

• Skilled in communication, critical thinking, analysis, and collaboration.

• Eager to gain exposure to the UN system and global development leadership.

• Interested in amplifying youth voices in high-level decision-making spaces.

APPLY NOW 

The UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform is more than a volunteer advisory role—it is a space where young leaders can shape global development priorities, learn directly from UN experts, and influence systems that affect millions of young people worldwide.

If you are committed to driving youth-led impact and contributing to a more inclusive future, this is an outstanding opportunity to grow, contribute, and lead.