The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments. We promote democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. We work for peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action.
In the field of youth empowerment, the IPU works to enhance youth participation in parliament and empower young parliamentarians.
Objectives
The Junior Consultant will support the IPU Youth Participation Programme in: the implementation of the I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament! campaign (ISY) and the organization of youth-related meetings and conferences (in person and online) related to the European Union-funded Women and Youth in Democratic Engagement (WYDE)initiative. In this framework, UN Women, the IPU, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), are implementing the WYDE/Women’s Leadership component through a programme entitled: Advancing Women’s Political Participation and Decision Making through Social Norms Change, Networking and Global Advocacy.
The Junior Consultant will also support the IPU Executive Office in facilitating IPU leadership’s engagement in youth-related activities, and providing administrative support to sessions of IPU’s governing bodies, mechanisms for parliamentary dialogue, and participation of senior leadership in meetings and missions.
Deliverables
Under the supervision of the Manager of the Youth Participation Programme and the Senior Executive Assistant to the IPU Secretary General, the Junior Consultant will contribute to the following:
For the Youth Participation Programme
The promotion and implementation of the ISY campaign. This includes: the promotion of the campaign at events; preparation of assets (in line with the existing campaign and IPU branding); preparation of briefings, concept notes, speaking notes and reports; regular exchanges and correspondence with parliaments and other key stakeholders who have signed up to the campaign; liaison with partners; monitoring and evaluation of the campaign, and facilitating the processing of the community of signatories; and drafting of new campaign material. Assistance will also be provided for the IPU’s wider support to parliaments and partners on implementation of campaign pledges.
- The organization of online and offline IPU meetings related to the WYDE project, the Forum of Young Parliamentarians, the Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, and other events. This includes the drafting of background documents, concept and speaking notes, agendas and reports, as well as administrative support for registration and liaison with parliaments and partners.
- Facilitating, promoting, and tracking research related to youth participation in national parliaments, including for the forthcoming report on youth participation in national parliaments, the IPU Parline database, etc.
- Supporting the promotion of the ISY campaign for IPU leadership, including through the preparation of speaking notes, briefings, reports, etc.
- Supporting the administrative functioning of the Office, including providing backstopping to the Secretary General for correspondence inflow and outflow; assisting with preparations associated to regular sessions of the IPU governing bodies and mechanisms for parliamentary dialogue; preparing, attending and reporting on meetings involving the Secretary General and IPU President in the context of the Secretary General’s support to transitional parliaments and IPU mechanisms for parliamentary dialogue.
- Supporting the IPU leadership efforts in engagement with parliaments and partners, with a focus on those who are French-speaking.
- Providing general administrative and logistical support to the operations of the EO as required.
- Occasional ad hoc assignments related to the work of the Programme may also be required.
For the Executive Office
- Occasional ad hoc assignments related to the work of the Executive Office may also be required.
- Work implies frequent interaction with the following: IPU personnel, members and staff of parliament, representatives of regional and international partners (including the United Nations, regional parliamentary associations, etc.), experts, representatives of youth associations, and the general public who sign up to the various campaigns.
Requirements
- University degree in political science, international relations, communications, law, or a related field. A graduate-level degree would be a strong advantage.
- Dedicated experience in youth political participation in the work of parliaments.
- Dedicated experience in promoting an international political-oriented campaign.
- Dedicated experience supporting high-level political officials in meetings and overseas missions.
- Experience of work in the IPU would be a strong advantage.
- Good research and analytical skills.
- Excellent oral and writing skills in English and French.
- General computer skills (MS Office applications, internet).
Time frame and conditions
The Junior Consultant will undertake this work, on a full-time basis, over a timeline commencing on 22 September 2025 and concluding on 21 September 2026. During this period, they shall be expected to work 220 days (7.5 hours/day). In principle, the Junior Consultant shall be based in the IPU Headquarters in Geneva, with the possibility of telecommuting. There shall be no expectancy of further contractual engagement at the end of the time frame.
The IPU shall cover the expenses related to the missions that the Junior Consultant will need to carry out for purposes of the above assignments.
The Junior Consultant is an independent contractor, is not considered to be an official or employee of the IPU and is not subject to the IPU Staff Regulations and Staff Rules. The Junior Consultant is not entitled to recover from the IPU any income tax payable in respect of the fee provided under this contract and shall be solely liable for the payment of any national income tax due in respect of the emoluments payable under this contract.
