The UNOPS Youth Engagement Platform (YEP), under the motto “30 below 30, to get 2030,” was established by the UNOPS Executive Director to serve as an advisory group. The Platform aims to harness the perspectives, creativity, and expertise of young leaders to shape UNOPS’ contributions to global sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda.
The Platform provides strategic input and recommendations to UNOPS Management and Leadership on youth-centric and inter-generational perspectives to be considered and integrated in driving UNOPS’ mission and agenda forward.
The Platform also serves as an ambassadorial group, representing UNOPS externally at key events and engagements as part of UNOPS outreach and engagement efforts. You can read more about the platform in this TOR.
UNOPS is looking for young leaders between the ages of 17 and 29 who bring a passion for sustainable development, demonstrated through diverse experiences. We value the unique perspectives and contributions from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities. We are searching for 15 internal UNOPS talents and 15 external visionaries to collaborate with our leadership in bringing innovative solutions to the table and representing UNOPS on the global stage for a one-year term on a pro-bono basis.
*** IMPORTANT INFORMATION ***
Please note that to complete the application, you will have to upload the following materials in one combined PDF document:
As a YEP member, you will serve as a youth advisor to UNOPS leadership, bringing lived experience, fresh ideas, and youth-informed insights to global development and the SDGs. You will help analyse emerging challenges affecting young people, review and advise on UNOPS strategies and initiatives from a youth lens, and propose practical recommendations to make UNOPS’ work more inclusive and impactful for your generation.
In this high-profile role, you may also represent UNOPS youth perspectives in internal briefings and selected international forums, contribute to youth-inclusive approaches in projects and operations, and collaborate with peers from different regions. The position is not a personnel role, but it offers a unique opportunity for young leaders to influence decision-making at the heart of a UN organisation while building skills in policy analysis, public speaking, leadership, and inclusive advocacy.
Please note that participation in this platform is not subject to remuneration. Compensation will be provided solely for travel undertaken on behalf of UNOPS.
1. Generate Youth-Led Insights on SDG and Development Trends
The YEP acts as a youth intelligence hub for UNOPS, providing analysis and lived-experience perspectives on emerging and evolving development challenges linked to the SDGs.
Key functions include:
Identifying trends, risks, and opportunities affecting young people in UNOPS’ areas of work (infrastructure, procurement, project management, climate, fragility, etc.).
Providing rapid feedback on global and regional developments from a youth lens to inform UNOPS strategies, policies, and programming.
Contributing youth-informed viewpoints to internal analyses, strategy reviews, and foresight exercises.
2. Provide Strategic Advisory Input to UNOPS Leadership and Initiatives
The YEP serves as a consultative advisory body to UNOPS senior leadership and key corporate initiatives, ensuring that youth perspectives are embedded upstream in decision-making.
Key functions include:
Reviewing and advising on selected strategic frameworks, policies, and flagship initiatives from a youth, DEI, and intergenerational equity perspective.
Participating in targeted consultations with the Executive Director, UNOPS Management Team, and relevant units on issues where youth experience and innovation can add value.
Co-creating recommendations and practical proposals that strengthen the relevance, legitimacy, and impact of UNOPS’ work for and with young people.
3. Advance Youth Representation in UNOPS External Engagement and Thought Leadership
The YEP positions UNOPS as a credible, youth-engaging actor in multilateral and development forums, ensuring that young voices are visible and heard in global dialogues.
Key functions include:
Representing UNOPS youth perspectives at selected international/ regional events, in coordination with UNOPS leadership and external relations.
Contributing to speaking points, panel interventions, and advocacy messages that highlight youth priorities and showcase UNOPS’ youth-related work.
Supporting UNOPS’ participation in system-wide youth engagement initiatives and partnerships, in line with the UN Youth Strategy and Youth2030.
4. Strengthen Youth-Inclusive Operational Approaches and Project Delivery
The YEP contributes to youth-inclusive design and implementation of UNOPS operations, so that projects and initiatives better reflect and respond to the realities of young people.
Key functions include:
Providing practical feedback on project management approaches to enhance youth participation, access, and benefit-sharing.
Identifying good practices and lessons from youth-engaging projects and feeding them into corporate guidance, tools, and operational standards.
Advising on how UNOPS can engage young people safely, ethically, and meaningfully as partners, beneficiaries, and innovators in its programmes.
