Youth Engagement Associate

Details

Mission and objectives

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger. Join us in creating a #ZeroHunger world.

Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations. The FAO mission is to work toward the eradication of hunger and strive for food security for everyone as stated in the 2030 Agenda. The FAO’s Strategic Framework aspires to transform agri-food systems so that they are more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The ultimate goals of these efforts include better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The FAO projects in Nepal currently implicate building technical capacity, developing policies, enhancing agri-production, strengthening agri-food systems, improving food security and nutrition, adapting to and mitigating the adverse impact of natural disasters and climate change. The FAO also embraces the One Health approach to address threats posed by zoonotic diseases to human health. Within the IASC framework, the FAO under the umbrella of food security cluster helps to coordinate humanitarian assistance and the recovery of livelihoods of agriculture dependent population. The FAO endeavours to eradicate hunger and malnutrition through its global initiatives. The CPF (2023-2027) prioritizes sustainable transformation of agri-food systems with inclusive socio-economic development, food security, safety, and sustainable consumption, NRM and climate resilience, and inclusive gender-responsive agri-food systems governance. For this reason, building resilient livelihoods are critical to the efforts of the FAO to help the most vulnerable people achieve food security and freedom from hunger — one of the most basic human rights. Thus, protecting people’s lives and livelihoods from shocks, and strengthening their capacity to absorb the impact of, and recover from, disruptive natural and adverse climatic events are important. In close collaboration with the Programme Specialist, the Youth Engagement Officer will play a crucial role in facilitating collaboration, organizing events, supporting campaigns, conducting training activities, identifying potential partners, and fulfilling any other duties necessary to promote youth engagement in agriculture and food systems in Nepal.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist, the National UN Youth Volunteer will: • Liaison with the World Food Forum Nepal Youth Chapter to carry out 2024 work plan. Collaborate with the chapter to align their work plan with the overall mission and objectives of the organization. • Support in organizing youth policy symposium, youth hackathon, youth agri food system investment forum (national and provincial). • Contribute to the development and implementation of campaigns aimed at raising awareness about issues related to youth involvement in agriculture and food systems. • Assist in creating promotional materials, coordinating outreach efforts, and engaging with target audiences. • Assist in the planning and execution of training sessions, workshops, and writeshops focused on building the capacity of youth in areas such as agricultural practices, entrepreneurship, and policy advocacy. Help identify relevant speakers, develop agendas, and coordinate logistics for these events. • Research and identify existing youth organizations and networks that are actively engaged in agricultural and food-related initiatives. • Establish partnerships and collaborations with these organizations to leverage resources and expand the reach of youth engagement efforts. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. 13. Results/Expected Outputs: • Increased Youth Engagement: A noticeable increase in the participation of young people in activities related to agriculture and food systems, as evidenced by higher attendance at events, workshops, and campaigns. • Innovative Solutions: The generation of innovative ideas and solutions to challenges facing the agriculture and food sectors, demonstrated through the outcomes of hackathons, youth forums, and other collaborative events. • Capacity Building: Enhanced skills and knowledge among young people involved in agriculture and food-related activities, as demonstrated by their increased ability to implement sustainable farming practices, entrepreneurship ventures, and advocacy efforts. • Network Expansion: Expansion of the network of youth organizations and stakeholders involved in agriculture and food systems, leading to strengthened partnerships, increased collaboration, and more coordinated efforts towards common goals. • Awareness and Advocacy: Increased awareness among youth and the broader community about the importance of agriculture, food security, and sustainable food systems, leading to heightened advocacy efforts and support for related initiatives. • Empowerment of Youth: Empowerment of young people to actively participate in decision-making processes, advocate for their interests, and take on leadership roles within their communities and the agriculture sector.