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UNFPA·Mar 18, 2026

Programme Associate - Youth Development

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst, Youth Development, the UN Volunteer will provide programme and administrative support in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of initiatives aimed...

On-siteInternationalAssociate UCoS from Apr20265. Gender equality
On-site

Zambia

Lusaka

Duration

365 days

Extendable

Positions

1 Available

Deadline

Apr 13, 2026

9 days ago

🎯

Sustainable Development Goal

5. Gender equality

General Information

Description of assignment title

Programme Associate - Youth Development

Assignment country

Zambia

Expected start date

May 15, 2026

Sustainable Development Goal

5. Gender equality

Volunteer category

Associate UCoS from Apr2026

Host entity

UNFPA

Type

onsite

Duration

365 days
(with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments

1

Duty stations

Lusaka

Assignment Details

Mission and Objectives

UNFPA is formally named the United Nations Population Fund. The organization was created in 1969, the same year the United Nations General Assembly declared “parents have the exclusive right to determine freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children.” UNFPA calls for the realization of reproductive rights for all and supports access to a wide range of sexual and reproductive health services – including voluntary family planning, maternal health care and comprehensive sexuality education. Since UNFPA started its work, the world has seen progress: The number and rate of women dying from complications of pregnancy or childbirth has been halved. Families are healthier. Young people are more connected and empowered than ever before. But too many are still left behind. More than 760 million people are mired in extreme poverty. Sexual and reproductive health problems are a leading cause of death and disability for women in the developing world. Young people bear the highest risks of HIV infection and unintended pregnancy. Many millions of girls face the prospect of child marriage and other harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation (FGM). Much more needs to be done to ensure a world in which all individuals can exercise their basic human rights, including those that relate to the most intimate and fundamental aspects of life.

Context

The UNFPA Zambia Country Office works to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, promote safe childbirth, and empower young people, in line with the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Its key focus areas include family planning, maternal health, midwifery, HIV prevention, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health, alongside strengthening national capacity for evidence-based planning, population data systems, and policy integration. Young people, especially adolescent girls, remain disproportionately affected by poor reproductive and maternal health outcomes and UNFPA reaffirms its commitment to eliminating Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and all forms of harmful practices, so all individuals, especially women and girls, can be free from violence, coercion, and discrimination. It is committed to supporting partners in scaling up comprehensive, survivor-centred interventions that strengthen prevention, support marginalised groups, and expand access to inclusive services.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst, Youth Development, the UN Volunteer will provide programme and administrative support in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of initiatives aimed at advancing adolescent health and youth empowerment, gender equality, and the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in line with the organisation’s mandate and strategic priorities. She or He will provide support to ensure the smooth execution of programme Interventions by fulfilling the following tasks: - Support the implementation of Life Skills and Health Education (LSHE) and adolescent safeguarding programmes in collaboration with key partners such as Government Ministries, Civil Society Organizations, UN agencies, and faith-based partners; - Support community engagement and advocacy/social behaviour change initiatives aimed at promoting menstrual health management, safeguarding and adolescent wellbeing; - Support the review, updating, and dissemination of LSHE curriculum frameworks and teaching/learning materials for both in-school and out-of-school adolescents; - Contribute to the operationalization of the multisectoral approach under the National LSHE Steering Committee and other relevant Technical Working Groups; - Collect, analyze, and document programme data and lessons learned to inform adaptive programming and reporting; - Support the use of research evidence on LSHE/CSE and adolescent SRH to strengthen advocacy and programme design; - Prepare basic gender and youth related correspondence in line with organizational rules and regulations and policies, and procedures.

Eligibility Criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

0 years

Nationality

Open to all nationalities

Assignment Requirements

Relevant experience

0 years

Language Requirements
EnglishRequired
Fluent
Required education level

Bachelor's degree

Area(s) of expertise

Communication, Health, Social work

Driving license

-

Competencies and values
• Respect for Diversity • Adaptability and Flexibility • Integrity • Commitment and Motivation • Communication • Professionalism
Skills and experience
- Demonstrated interest or experience in Youth Programming, Gender Equality, Women and Youth Empowerment. - Demonstrated interest or experience in policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, social behaviour change and capacity building interventions. - Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment. - Creativity and innovation including ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.

Additional Information

Living conditions and remarks
Zambia is a land-linked, resource-rich country with sparsely populated land in the centre of Southern Africa. It shares its border with eight countries (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe) that serve as an expanded market for its goods. Lusaka is the capital of the Republic of Zambia. The climate is sunny and temperate, but it can be very cold during a few months, with freezing temperatures at times especially during the night. It is therefore advisable to bring warm clothing and foresee using heaters and other heating options when necessary. As the commercial and cultural centre of Zambia, Lusaka has seen rapid development in recent decades, with reasonable transportation connections and widely spoken English making the city highly attractive to vacationers and experts alike. Unemployment and poverty are issues in the city, and beyond. Key industries for the region and Zambia as a whole, include mining, agriculture, and tourism. Like most Southern African cities, life in Lusaka will require some adjustments for a person moving from outside the region, but the potential rewards and opportunities for experiences are well worth the effort. Lusaka hosts several international organisations and embassies/diplomatic missions, therefore there is a very large community of expatriates from around the world. Housing is most of the time readily available and good standard options are available. Most foodstuffs, beverages, household goods, furniture, and clothing, mostly imported from South Africa, Europe, and China while some ranges of local brands are available at a competitive price to imports. Meat, fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables are reasonably priced and abundantly available. The basic infrastructures - roads, utilities, and telecommunications are of reasonable standard, although the city experiences power outages from time to time. Medical facilities are still largely inadequate, although several private clinics and hospitals provide reasonably good routine care. Several restaurants around the city serve local or international cuisine and there are numerous social and sports facilities (fitness, tennis, swimming, riding, golf, etc.) in the major hotels or in different establishments around the city. There are no major or special security concerns within Lusaka city limits. For more information, please visit http://zambiatourism.com.
Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity without distinction.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to vaccination requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), in line with the applicable host entity policy.

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