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The recent unrest in the Arab world has shown the relevance of one particular triggering factor, that of youth dissatisfaction with social, economic and political status quo in the region. To respond to this challenge, UNDP has recently formulated a specific "Strategy to the Transformative Change Championed by Youth in the Arab Region". It underscores, inter alia, that the drivers of this youth-led and broad-based popular uprisings in the region are due to a strong feeling of exclusion and disenfranchisement.

In Kuwait, according to the Ministry of Planning, around 60% of the population is under the age of 25, with the youth’s percentage of the total population increasing every year.   Despite these statistics, the Kuwaiti government does not have a national youth strategy, nor does it have youth development indicators.

Kuwaiti nationals make up a small percentage of the total labour force, of which the majority works in the Civil Service, with few in the private sector. Every year about 20,000 graduates (of different educational levels) enter the labour market, waiting to find a job and increasing pressure on the Government to provide them with unemployment benefits.  The combined effect of plentiful oil revenue together with a ‘welfare tendency’ on the part of the State, have created a social situation whereby citizens have come to expect myriad types of subsidies. The unemployment benefits for the youth feed this inclination. Despite generous incentives for private-sector enterprises to employ Kuwaiti nationals, the private sector prefers to recruit expatriates; the average increase of Kuwaitis employed by the private sector was only 4% in 2007, despite the State's efforts and incentives.

Kuwait is determined to ensure that youth concerns are addressed in the national strategic goals as prescribed in the 2010-2014 national Mid-range Development Plan. A number of policies have been proposed to support youth employment and self-employment through legislative schemes as well as developing existing youth centers and promoting multi-purpose youth organizations to empower them to participate in development interventions. These policies seem to only scratch the surface. There is no tangible progress to note or an overall strategy/work-plan to guide the government and its partners in this particular area.

UNDP Kuwait is taking the initiative to support the Government in developing a national youth programme with the concerned institutions to ensure national ownership and accountability. UNDP has initiated this process through a participatory approach, by ensuring that youth concerns and expectations are considered in the planning stage. A series of consultations were conducted through focus group discussions with selected categories of youth. The findings of these discussions will influence the design and scope of the programme. UNDP will engage with various stakeholders dealing with issues relating to or affect the country’s youth, as well as undertaking resource mobilization initiatives to obtain funds for the programme.

Scope of the consultancy:

UNDP Kuwait is currently undertaking a Rapid Assessment Process (RAP) to identify the priority areas for the programme. The consultant’s role will be to contribute to the needs assessment process by offering expert advice, identifying key partners and leading the process of developing a national youth programme with the government. The key responsibilities include:

• Leading the defining, design, and planning phases of the programme, in accordance with UNDP policies and procedures;
• Engaging with key Government stakeholders and strengthening national ownership of the programme; 
  Serving as the main interlocutor with the Government lead agencies to develop a comprehensive programme, ensuring their involvement and endorsement;
• Ensuring harmonization and coherence of the programme with the national youth plans and other parallel youth interventions;
• Offering strategic recommendations regarding the sustainability of the youth development programme.

The following are the expected outputs of the consultancy:

Concept note for a comprehensive national youth programme for stakeholders; 
National youth programme document; 
Recommendations for programme sustainability and partnerships.

Proposed methodology of the consultancy

• Comprehensive desk research review [of global sources and regional research as well as inputs from the CO prior to the mission] including publications, research papers, previous programme/project documents, interview transcripts etc;
• Develop a concept note for a comprehensive national youth programme to present to selected stakeholders; 
  Present the concept of the programme to selected stakeholders. These include, but not limited to: the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, Public Authority for Youth and Sports (PAYS), LoYAC and other relevant CSOs, Private sector enterprises and Youth-led organizations; 
  After the initial consultations, the consultant will present recommendations regarding the appropriate Government agency to take the lead to ensure national ownership;
• Outline the programme’s scope in consultation with the government lead agency. This involves setting the nationally-owned outcomes of the programme;
• Design and develop a programme document with input from Government counterparts. This involves developing the outputs required to achieve the nationally-owned outcomes and setting targets and indicators for each output; 
  Engage with potential partners in the private sector and civil society to leverage technical, in-kind, and financial support for the programme;
• Provide recommendations for programme sustainability and evaluation beyond the allocated timeframe. The evaluation of the programme will be subject to formal endorsement.
• UNDP programme staff will provide technical support to the consultant to ensure quality assurance with regard to corporate programme policies.

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
• Ability to research and analyze national development situation;
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills. 

Education:

• An advanced degree in social sciences, economics, law or political science.

Work Experience:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience developing social programmes or projects and working with Government partners on the implementation of complex and socially sensitive programmes.
• Experience working in GCC countries is favourable. Knowledge of UNDP programme policies and procedures is an added advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.