Peace and Development Associate

UNDCO KOS organization mission TBD

During the past decades Kosovo has made notable progress in support of democratization, rule of law and effective governance and building resilient community. Kosovo’s development landscape is shaped by interconnected development, human rights, and trust-building challenges. A context analysis conducted by the UN Kosovo Team explored drivers of fragility and resilience, identifying risks affecting stability, peacebuilding, support to vulnerable groups and progress toward the SDGs. These insights complement the UNSDCF 2021-2025 and UN Integrated Strategic Framework (ISF) on Kosovo 2024-2026, which provide a coordinated platform for aligning trust building, governance, and development efforts. The ISF emphasizes collaboration between UNKT and UN Mission in Kosovo to build intercommunity trust and strengthen rule of law and human rights, creating a foundation for sustaining peace in Kosovo. Key entry points being implemented by the UN Kosovo Team includes trust-building initiatives, strengthening human rights monitoring and reporting, and improving community policing in the north of Kosovo. Priorities also include investing in education, enhancing government outreach, enforcing laws for marginalized communities, and combating hate speech. Strengthening data collection, addressing transgenerational trauma, implementing youth initiatives, and designing inclusive programmes were highlighted as critical steps.

Additionally, integrating peacebuilding efforts into environmental solutions, advancing Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) commitments, fostering youth engagement, and embedding transitional justice into education were identified as transformative pathways to sustainable peace and development

The UN DCO in Kosovo plans to hire an International Youth Volunteeras Peace and Development Associate to provide support to the UNDCO/UNKT in the advancement of work towards peacebuilding, social cohesion and building trust. The International UNYV will be based in the UN Development Coordinator’s Office (UN DCO) in Pristina, supporting the operations of the DCO and ultimately the work of the UN Development Coordinator and the UNKT.

Under the guidance of the Head of RCO and direct supervision of the Development Coordination Officer, the UN Youth Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

- Assists with UNKT activities related to the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the Youth for Peace and Security agenda, including through promoting the positive role of Kosovo young people in conflict mitigation, prevention and building trust;
- Assists in coordination of Peacebuilding Fund (PCF) supported projects (including Youth for Inclusion, Equality & Trust) through preparing DC participation in steering committees and supporting joint PBF activities;
- Assists DC/DCO and UNKT in coordination of activities with UNMIK under ISF 2024-2026;
- Supports coordination of UNKT youth activities;
- Contributes in enhancing the UNKT focus group on Youth and its further institutionalization
- Maps ongoing youth activities and supports to a long-term youth engagement strategy of UNKT;
- Assists in organization of the UN Youth Assembly;
- Participates in the regional programmatic coordination group Mitrovica, North Kosovo, ensures follow up of decisions and provides briefs, reports to DC/DCO;
- With support of DCO identifies and engages civil society actors in the peace and development agenda supported by the UN;
- Contributes to preparation of concept notes/proposals to the PBF;
- Supports the DCO in research work on peacebuilding, transitional justice and reconciliation related issues and their impact;
- Assists advocacy and communications initiatives to promote peace and reconciliation and highlight UNKT development results, including through use of social media;
- Assists the DCO team in compiling other regular and ad hoc reports as needed;
- Supports the organization of other DCO/UNKT meetings as required.