Intern: Support to the UNCT on Youth Engagement, Volunteerism and Advocacy

Work Location

Skopje - in person

Expected duration

17.08.26-16.02.27

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations works to empower young people as active contributors to sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through youth engagement initiatives, volunteerism programmes, partnerships and advocacy efforts, the UN supports meaningful youth participation in decision-making and community action.

The Future Makers Programme and other youth-focused initiatives aim to strengthen youth leadership, civic engagement, volunteerism and sustainable development awareness among young people. These initiatives bring together youth organizations, volunteers, civil society, educational institutions and development partners to advance collective action for sustainable development. The Future Makers Programme in North Macedonia is co-organized by the SustainEd University Coalition and the United Nations North Macedonia to build a culture of volunteerism and strengthen youth engagement around the Sustainable Development Goals. It brings together motivated students from the eight SustainEd Coalition universities to develop practical initiatives, participate in meaningful volunteering opportunities, and work with UN focal points, mentors and partners on issues such as education, gender equality, health, climate action, social cohesion and strong institutions. Through group work, peer exchange and guided action design, the programme supports young people to translate their ideas into community-oriented actions and to become future advocates for sustainable development. At the moment, the first cohort of the programme includes 38 young students.

This internship is located in the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office. The Intern will support the work of the RCO in advancing youth engagement and participation across UN initiatives, with a particular focus on the Future Makers Programme, volunteerism, advocacy and partnerships with youth organizations. In particular, the tasks include:

• Support the coordination and implementation of the Future Makers Programme, including communication with participants, mentors, partners and stakeholders, organize meetings, notes of meetings, slides development, among others.
• Assist in organizing youth engagement activities, workshops, consultations, campaigns and events.
• Support the development and implementation of volunteerism initiatives and programmes involving young people.
• Assist in mobilizing youth participation in UN campaigns, events and sustainable development initiatives.
• Support outreach and engagement with youth organizations, youth networks, educational institutions and civil society partners.
• Provide support in maintaining regular communication with youth participants and partners and facilitate follow-up actions.
• Support advocacy efforts related to youth participation, volunteerism and sustainable development.
• Assist in preparing communication and visibility materials, presentations, briefing notes and social media content related to youth initiatives.
• Support promotion and content development of the SustainEd Platform and related youth engagement tools.
• Review and analyze relevant documents, strategies, studies and reports related to youth development, participation and sustainable development.
• Maintain and update youth stakeholder databases, contact lists and engagement records, ensuring accessibility and accuracy.
• Support the organization of meetings and consultations with external stakeholders and youth representatives.
• Assist in drafting summaries of meetings, reports and activity updates.
• Other required tasks as per management request.

Qualifications/special skills

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

(a) be enrolled in, or have completed, a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher); (b) be enrolled in, or have completed, the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor's degree or equivalent). Previous studies or participation in youth organizations, volunteer initiatives, student associations, youth councils or civil society activities related to sustainable development, civic engagement or youth participation. Applicants to the UN Internship Programme are not required to have professional work experience. However, a field of study closely related to youth development, social sciences, communications, economics, education, international relations, sustainable development or a related field is desirable. Applicants must be a student in the final year of the first university degree (bachelor or equivalent), Master's or Ph.D. Programme or equivalent, or have completed a Bachelor's, Master's or PH.D. Programme. Do you meet any of the above criteria? If yes, please indicate which one and attach proof to the application. Please note that you will have to provide an official certificate at a later stage. Applicants must have good knowledge of standard software applications, especially MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Teams and MS Excel and /or Google Workspace applications (Drive, Docs, Forms, Sheets, Gmail) as well as Whatsup. Previous engagement in youth initiatives, volunteering programmes, student organizations or community activities is desirable. Experience in organizing youth activities, events or campaigns is desirable. Strong communication, networking and facilitation skills are desirable. Interest in sustainable development, volunteerism, youth participation and civic engagement is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Macedonian and Albanian is desirable.

Additional Information

The intern must have access to a computer and reliable internet connection. The UN Mission will provide access to necessary software and databases.

Intern Specific text

Interns are not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country where the internship is undertaken, may be required to obtain the appropriate visa and work/employment authorization. Successful candidates should discuss their specific visa requirements before accepting the internship offer.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.