Imagine being a young trailblazer whose ideas could actually steer the course of global sustainability – that's the exhilarating promise of joining the UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform (YEP). This isn't just another internship; it's a chance for emerging leaders to inject fresh, youthful energy into the highest levels of decision-making at the United Nations Office for Project Services. But here's where it gets intriguing: can a pro-bono role really amplify youth voices in a world dominated by established power structures? Stick around to discover how 30 young visionaries under 30 are aiming to accelerate progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As an exciting 12-month remote opportunity based from home, the YEP lets you partner with fellow innovators worldwide to influence policies, programs, and projects across UNOPS. You'll collaborate virtually with peers, exchanging ideas that could reshape how the organization tackles challenges like climate change, infrastructure development, and humanitarian efforts in fragile regions.
UNOPS, short for the United Nations Office for Project Services, is the go-to expert for delivering essential infrastructure, smart procurement strategies, expert project management, and operational support that drive sustainable development around the globe. Picture it as the behind-the-scenes powerhouse that builds schools in disaster-prone areas, procures medical supplies for remote communities, and manages projects that make sustainable cities a reality.
Launched by UNOPS's Executive Director under the rallying cry '30 below 30, to get 2030,' the Youth Engagement Platform is designed to weave in the authentic voices, bold creativity, and real-world experiences of young people into top-tier discussions. And this is the part most people miss: it's not merely an entry-level job – it's a launchpad for groundbreaking ideas, policy sway, and becoming a thought leader in the UN ecosystem. Participation is unpaid, yet it comes with incredible perks like insider access to the UN network, skill-building opportunities, and the privilege of advocating for youth in both internal meetings and public events. Travel expenses are covered only when you're officially representing UNOPS.
What exactly will you do as a YEP participant? Think of yourself as a dedicated youth consultant to UNOPS executives, infusing the organization with innovative concepts, personal stories, and insights grounded in young people's realities. Your input will empower UNOPS to tackle pressing issues impacting youth – from joblessness in unstable regions to unequal access to education – while crafting programs that truly include young voices and bolster the SDGs, those 17 global targets set by the UN to eradicate poverty, fight inequality, and protect the planet by 2030.
Here are your main duties, broken down for clarity:
- Crafting Youth-Driven Insights on SDGs and Emerging Trends
- Spot key risks, chances, and shifts that affect young individuals in UNOPS's focus areas, such as building resilient infrastructure, ethical procurement, adapting to climate threats, responding to fragility, and overseeing effective projects.
- Offer swift, youth-focused reactions to worldwide and local happenings, helping shape strategic plans, policies, and initiatives.
- Add youthful viewpoints to internal reports, future-thinking workshops, and strategic evaluations.
- Delivering Tactical Guidance
- Examine and suggest improvements to UNOPS's guidelines, rules, and activities through a lens of youth empowerment, diversity, fairness, and inclusion.
- Engage in dialogues with UNOPS leaders and specialists, sharing actionable advice rooted in youth experiences.
- Team up to develop plans that make UNOPS's efforts more pertinent, credible, and effective for and alongside young people.
- Boosting Youth Advocacy and Leadership
- Champion youth standpoints in UNOPS-internal discussions and select external gatherings, like international summits.
- Help craft talking points, promotional statements, and speaking engagements that spotlight what matters most to young generations.
- Back UNOPS's involvement in broader UN youth efforts, aligning with the UN Youth Strategy and the Youth2030 framework.
- Promoting Operations That Embrace Youth
- Share feedback to improve how young people get involved and share in the benefits of UNOPS projects.
- Draw out valuable lessons from successful youth-involved programs and incorporate them into operational guidelines and best practices.
- Guide the organization on creating secure, principled, and impactful ways to engage youth across all UNOPS activities.
Who fits the bill? The YEP seeks 15 talented insiders from within UNOPS and 15 external trailblazers aged 17 to 29 who exhibit:
- A deep enthusiasm for sustainable development and achieving the SDGs.
- Proven youth leadership, such as leading community groups, student campaigns, or advocacy drives.
- Background in voicing youth opinions at local, national, regional, or global levels.
- Skills in working with varied teams and making meaningful contributions to decision-making bodies.
- Familiarity with SDG topics or international development gained through volunteer work, activism, academic studies, or networking.
Bonus points for prior involvement with the UN, policy debates, youth campaigning, or global development. English fluency is essential, and knowing Spanish or French is a definite advantage.
Why dive in? Here's the appeal:
- Influence: Mold UNOPS's approaches and strategies with your unique youth outlook, potentially affecting millions.
- Visibility: Stand as a representative of young voices in UN policy rooms and global events – imagine speaking at a climate summit!
- Growth: Hone skills in analyzing policies, delivering presentations, managing relationships, and championing causes.
- Connections: Build a network of like-minded peers and seasoned pros in sustainability and the UN world.
- Impact: Play a hands-on role in fostering youth-friendly methods in worldwide development, edging closer to the 2030 Agenda's goals.
Ready to apply? Compile everything into one PDF file, including:
- Your resume or CV, highlighting pertinent experience and skills.
- A write-up of a project or endeavor that shows your dedication to sustainable development (keep it under 2000 characters).
- A public link to a 90-second video where you explain your drive for sustainability and what you'd bring to the YEP.
The submission cutoff is December 31, 2025, at midnight Copenhagen time.
UNOPS champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, warmly inviting applications from underrepresented and marginalized groups. This is a golden chance for young change-makers to embed youthful insights at the core of international decision-making, paving the way for a more sustainable, welcoming, and robust planet.
But let's stir the pot a bit: Is this truly empowering, or does the pro-bono model risk undervaluing youth contributions in an already unequal system? Do you believe young voices are underrepresented in global organizations like the UN? Share your take – agree or disagree – in the comments below!
APPLY (https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Member-UNOPS-Youth-Engagement-Platform/1326)
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