UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform

Context and Background

Against the backdrop of the forthcoming Summit of the Future, UNOPS recognizes the need to bring a global youth perspective to the challenges and opportunities of multilateralism facing the present and future generations. To this end, the Executive Director has established the UNOPS Youth Platform to serve as an advisory group which will advise UNOPS on approaches to anticipate and address new challenges and build practical solutions to accelerate sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda. 

Purpose

 The UNOPS Youth Platform, with the motto ‘’30 below 30, to get 2030’, aims to harness the energy, creativity, and expertise of young leaders to drive sustainable development and advance the 2030 Agenda. Through collaboration, innovation, and strategic guidance, the Platform will co-create meaningful contributions with UNOPS and its partners towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

Expected results

• Shape the UNOPS contributions to the Summit of the Future, including youth-centric and inter-generational perspectives on proposed solutions. 

• At the conclusion of the Summit of the Future, the insights gained by UNOPS from this youth engagement approach will inform future strategic priorities and initiatives.

Composition

• The Platform shall consist of 30 young leaders below 30 years of age (but not younger than 17), serving for a term of one year, renewable at UNOPS decision following the Summit of the Future outcomes 

• Fifteen members will be selected from among UNOPS personnel, ensuring diversity across various intersecting identities, e.g. geographic locations, race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

• Fifteen members will be selected externally, ensuring representation from diverse backgrounds, expertise, race/ethnicity, and geographic locations, amongst others. While expertise in infrastructure, procurement, project management, and grants management is desirable, it is not mandatory. The selection process will prioritize a balanced representation to foster diverse perspectives and experiences.

• Members shall possess a passion for sustainable development, demonstrated through diverse experiences including, but not limited to, academic, professional, research, volunteer, or community involvement. We value the unique perspectives and contributions from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Reflecting the global youth’s perspective, it serves as a resource to  UNOPS on approaches to anticipate and address new challenges related to sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda.

• Provide input on emerging challenges and opportunities, drawing from diverse perspectives and expertise.

• Collaborate with the UNOPS teams to develop innovative solutions and approaches in support of the 2030 agenda and the SDGs.

• Collaborating with the UNOPS Youth Engagement Employee Resource Groups and Youth Communities to investigate evolving trends in youth involvement in development initiatives. This entails examining context-specific and context-sensitive approaches spearheaded or endorsed by young individuals in their diversity or youth organizations/movements in regions where UNOPS operates.

• Act as ambassadors for UNOPS, representing the organization at external events and engagements.

Governance 

• The UNOPS Youth Platform will be overseen by the UNOPS steering committee, with support from designated focal points across the organization.

• The Platform will convene twice annually – with one physical full-day meeting in the spring (May), hosted in a designated location, and one virtual meeting in the fall (November), lasting approximately 3 hours.

• The inaugural meeting will be held in early September in Copenhagen, preceding the Summit of the Future.

• Additional ad-hoc meetings may be convened as necessary.

• UNOPS will provide administrative and logistical support through designated focal points to facilitate the functioning of the Platform. 

• UNOPS will provide support, as needed and reasonable, to facilitate access to information, tools  and events to facilitate the members role

• A Secretariat will be set up by UNOPS management to support the Platform’s work, responsible for delivering relevant UNOPS data, development of thematic briefs, organization of meetings, note taking and minutes, and provision of resources as required.

• Members will serve on a pro-bono basis, volunteering their time and expertise, with UNOPS covering travel and accommodation expenses (in line with existing policies) for attending the annual in-person meeting.

Reporting

• The Platform shall provide an annual brief to the Executive Director summarizing key recommendations and outcomes from meetings and engagements.