UNFPA SURGE RESPONSE ROSTER

Adolescent and Youth (A&Y) Experts in Humanitarian Settings

Are you a dedicated professional with expertise in Adolescent and Youth (A&Y) responsive programming and a passion for making a tangible difference during humanitarian crises?
If so, the UNFPA Surge Response Roster needs you!
UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. We promote gender equality and empower women, girls, and young people to take control of their bodies and their futures.
UNFPA champions the crucial role of young people in humanitarian action, advocating for their rights, needs and agency during emergencies. This commitment is underscored by our leadership of the Compact for Young People in Humanitarian Action, a key multistakeholder platform that works to transform the humanitarian system. Our operational mandate is guided by UNFPA’s Global A&Y Strategy: “My Body, My Life, My World”, which centres on empowering young people to realize their full potential, claim their rights and exercise agency over their bodies, lives and communities, even in emergencies.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a direct impact during humanitarian emergencies, protecting the health and rights of young people, contributing to resilience building and sustaining peace.
• Deployment for short-term (3 to 6 months with possibility of extension) surge missions as part of UNFPA's humanitarian response.
• A platform to utilize your expertise in Adolescent and Youth responsive programming

Major Duties and Responsibilities (A&Y Focus)

We are seeking experts to contribute to UNFPA's A&Y program, recognizing young people as a vital resource throughout the humanitarian programme cycle. A&Y Surge Experts will focus on policy, strategic planning, technical guidance, and coordination in line with the following duties:

Policy and Advocacy

• Collaborate closely with government counterparts (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Youth,  Ministry of Social Policy, and relevant agencies, including at the sub-national level) to develop, review, and advocate for rights-based evidence-informed Adolescent and Youth policies and guidelines. These policies must be aligned with international standards, especially concerning youth leadership, meaningful participation and empowerment, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), Preventing and Responding to GBV and Mental Health, and Climate Resilience efforts.
• Identify and leverage opportunities within the multilateral framework (UN agencies, international and national NGOs, donors) to advance Adolescent & Youth advocacy priorities and secure sustained support including strengthening youth-specific inputs into the Humanitarian Needs Overview, and Humanitarian Responsive Plans.

Strategic Program Planning and Implementation

• Lead the identification and updating of UNFPA’s Adolescent & Youth programme to ensure it effectively responds to the priorities and needs in the present protracted humanitarian situation in the country while also addressing recovery needs in-line with UNFPA’s new Strategic Plan(2026-2029).
• Identify capacity needs in relation to the Country Office and partner organizations, including youth-led organizations and develop an Action Plan in response to such needs and gaps.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of innovative Adolescent and Youth interventions, ensuring they are contextually relevant, youth-informed and focused on building resilience..

• Lead the strategic planning and implementation of high-quality, youth-friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) programs, including Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), and preventing harmful practices programs.
• Ensure services align with the “My Body” and “My Life” components of the A&Y Strategy, enhancing the availability of high-quality SRH and GBV services for youth. SRH services will include family planning, prevention and treatment of Sexually Transmitted infections, and CSE. GBV services include the meaningful engagement of youth in the provision and benefitting from awareness sessions on GBV, designing youth-friendly safe spaces, and comprehensive youth-friendly, survivor-centred GBV case management.
• Establish linkages between existing youth, Gender, RH  programmes to ensure synergies between programmes that maximize programme impact, leveraging interlinkages on the youth, peace and security (YPS) agenda and youth- responsive programming in humanitarian settings to promote a “peace dividend” and long-term stability. 

Technical Guidance and Team Leadership

• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to the in-country Adolescent and Youth team, strengthening their capacity in program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, with a focus on gender-transformative approaches and youth agency.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment, promoting knowledge sharing and best practices.
• Lead Adolescent & Youth advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the Country Office by preparing relevant documentation (e.g., program summaries, donor profiles) and participating in donor meetings and public information events. UNFPA's programming in areas like SRH and GBV prevention makes critical contributions to peace by addressing long-term drivers of conflict and youth marginalization.
• Provision of capacity-development for CO staff and implementing partners on youth programming during emergencies using UNFPA operational Guidance for Adolescents and Youth Global Strategy “My body, My life, My world”, the IAWG adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health in emergencies guidelines and IASC Guidelines on working with and for young people in humanitarian and protracted crisis.

Coordination and Partnership

• Enhance coordination and collaboration with national and international partners, including UN agencies, NGOs, civil society organizations, and donor communities, to ensure a harmonized and effective Adolescent and Youth response. This includes actively advocating for the inclusion of diverse youth-led organizations in national SRH and GBV coordination mechanisms.
• Actively promote and engage in Inter-Cluster Coordination to ensure young people's specific needs and agency are consistently addressed across the broader humanitarian response. Aligned with the IASC Guidelines on working with and for young people in humanitarian settings and protracted crises.  Inter-cluster coordination is beneficial for effectively responding to young people's specific needs , with examples of entry points in the Health, Protection, Education, WASH, and Nutrition sectors.
• Work closely with UNFPA field offices in advancing the A&Y programme while effectively responding to specific needs, including in relation to marginalized and highly vulnerable adolescents and youth, including Internally Displaced Adolescents and Youth and young people with disabilities.

Key Deliverables

• Action plan for strengthening the Adolescent and Youth Team.
• Reports from capacity-building sessions for Adolescent and Youth staff and partners.
• Adolescent & Youth policy briefs and technical guidance notes.
• Concept notes or proposals for innovative Adolescent and Youth interventions.
• Monthly technical updates and biannual Adolescent and Youth progress reports.
• Documentation of coordination meetings with partners, including youth-led organizations.
• Established and strengthened partnerships with youth-led organizations, movements and groups.
• Mechanism(s) for structural and meaningful engagement with young people developed or strengthened, ensuring youth voices shape policy and programmatic decisions throughout humanitarian response.
• Advocacy briefs and stakeholder engagement summaries.
• Coherent and dynamic Adolescent and Youth team in action.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree in Public Health, Reproductive Health, International Development, Youth Work or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing, and managing Adolescent and Youth programmes, preferably in humanitarian or fragile contexts.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying the principles of meaningful youth participation (MYP) and youth-responsive programming in complex environments.
• Proven experience establishing and sustaining effective partnerships and collaboration with youth-led organizations, youth networks and movements.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with government counterparts, influencing policy, and engaging in advocacy within a multilateral framework, specifically advancing youth rights and agency.
• Proven experience in strategic program planning, including the development of Country Programme Documents or similar strategic frameworks.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to guide and mentor diverse, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English is essential; additional language skills are a strong advantage.

How You'll Be Assessed

The assessment process is comprehensive to ensure candidates have the right mix of technical expertise and soft skills for crisis settings:

• Resume & Application Review: Your experience and skills will be vetted against UNFPA's surge needs.
• Technical & Soft Skills Assessment: You may complete a technical assessment tailored to the A&Y area of expertise and answer questions on soft skills.
• Video Interview: You may be invited to a recorded video interview covering both technical and behavioral aspects relevant to humanitarian work.
• Reference Checks: Professional references may be requested to gain further insights into your work ethic, performance under pressure, and suitability for surge deployments.

We look at the whole picture, considering your technical and soft skills, adaptability, commitment to UNFPA's mission, and proven ability to operate successfully in crisis settings. Selected candidates will be added to UNFPA’s Surge Response Roster and contacted for any opportunities that meet their profile.