Inclusive Development Associate - Youth and Sport

Role Overview

UNESCO is seeking a dedicated Inclusive Development Associate - Youth and Sport to advance its fundamental humanist mission of supporting people in facing contemporary challenges, fostering mutual understanding, and building lasting peace. This pivotal role sits at the intersection of youth empowerment, sport for development, and inclusive social policy. The successful candidate will contribute to the design, implementation, and monitoring of programmes that leverage sport as a tool for social inclusion, gender equality, and youth leadership across diverse communities. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape international development initiatives within a globally respected UN agency committed to education, science, culture, and communication.

Core Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of inclusive development strategies that integrate youth engagement and sport-based methodologies.
• Conduct research and analysis on trends in youth development, sport for development (S4D), and social inclusion to inform programme design.
• Assist in the management of project cycles including planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting for youth and sport initiatives.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder partnerships with governments, NGOs, sports federations, and youth networks to promote collaborative action.
• Contribute to the production of knowledge products such as policy briefs, case studies, and best practice guides on inclusive sport programming.
• Support capacity-building activities for local partners, including training workshops on inclusive coaching, safeguarding, and participatory monitoring.
• Monitor programme implementation through field visits, data collection, and performance tracking against key indicators.
• Ensure mainstreaming of gender equality, disability inclusion, and human rights principles across all youth and sport interventions.
• Assist in resource mobilization efforts including donor reporting, proposal writing, and partnership outreach.
• Represent UNESCO at relevant conferences, working groups, and coordination mechanisms related to youth and sport.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in International Development, Sports Management, Social Sciences, Education, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in programme management, project coordination, or research within international development, youth work, or sport for development contexts.
• Demonstrated understanding of inclusive development frameworks, youth participation models, and the role of sport in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Strong analytical and writing skills with ability to produce high-quality reports, concept notes, and communication materials in English.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with data analysis tools; familiarity with monitoring and evaluation frameworks (LogFrame, Theory of Change).
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills; ability to work effectively in diverse, multicultural teams.
• Commitment to UNESCO's values of integrity, professionalism, respect for diversity, and accountability.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with UN agencies, international NGOs, or government institutions on youth or sport policies.
• Knowledge of Arabic or French is a strong asset given the regional context.
• Familiarity with safeguarding policies, child protection, and gender-responsive programming in sport settings.
• Background in facilitation of participatory approaches, community engagement, or youth-led programme design.
• Experience with digital tools for project management, virtual collaboration, and knowledge sharing platforms.
• Track record of successful grant writing, fundraising, or partnership development for development programmes.

What Makes This Role Unique

This position stands at the forefront of UNESCO's innovative work harnessing the power of sport to drive inclusive development for youth worldwide. Unlike conventional programme roles, this associate will directly contribute to shaping global norms and standards in sport for development, influencing policy at national and international levels. The role offers exposure to high-level intergovernmental processes, collaboration with Olympic and Paralympic movements, and the chance to pilot transformative approaches that empower marginalized youth — including girls, refugees, and persons with disabilities — through inclusive sport. Based in Cairo, the role provides a strategic vantage point for regional programme delivery across the Arab States, with direct impact on advancing UNESCO's Social and Human Sciences agenda. Join a mission-driven team where your work translates into tangible opportunities for youth to lead, participate, and thrive.