Caritas promotes integral human development and integral ecology by serving, accompanying, defending and listening to people living in poverty, whilst together caring for our common home. We respond to emergencies and natural, humanmade and complex humanitarian crises, providing essential and social services, and health care.

We speak out against the causes of poverty and injustice, and work together, as brothers and sisters, advocating and campaigning for a just world built on love, peace, and solidarity. Our work is informed by reflecting on the 'signs of the times' through a 'see, judge and act' methodology. We strive to bring about a long-term, positive impact on the lives of those we serve. This requires us to be both effective in our work, and good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.

Our times are challenging and complex. Whilst it could be argued that recent decades have seen progress in health and living standards for many people in the world, this has happened at the cost of growing inequality in wealth and power, social fragmentation and environmental degradation, underpinned by an unjust economic system.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

To contribute to increasing the effectiveness of the Caritas Confederation by coordinating the work on enhancing youth (aged 18-35) inclusion, empowerment and leadership;
To contribute to develop, and to revise; to implement, monitor and evaluate a Confederation-wide strategy to promote youth empowerment, inclusion and leadership at all levels, as part of the implementation of the CI Strategic Framework. This work is carried out in close coordination with the Inclusive Leadership Senior Officer, who is responsible for developing and overseeing Caritas Internationalis’ long-term strategy on youth inclusion, leadership, and empowerment, and for ensuring continuity of the workstream across Youth Officer contract cycles;
To facilitate and coordinate cross-cutting, inter-department initiatives on youth inclusion and empowerment, and provide support to relevant bodies to ensure that the voices and experiences of young people are known and adequately considered in the Confederation’s work: This includes sensitizing and animating Caritas youth on the most pressing and urgent issues that the Confederation addresses;
To strengthen young people’s capacities to participate in the mission of Caritas at all levels through professional development and spiritual formation initiatives;
To animate and support the Confederation to effectively empower and include young people in their work, leadership, and decision-making at all levels, in coordination with relevant global, regional and national structures;
To facilitate the creation of and support existing regional youth networks, in coordination with the Regional Secretariats, and work with them to identify priorities and best practices;
To animate and mobilize the global Caritas youth network of professionals and volunteers;
To liaise with and provide support to the youth representatives in the various CI governing and strategic bodies, in coordination with the Inclusive Leadership Senior Officer;
To support and facilitate the work of the Confederation’s working structures related to youth (e.g. task forces, working groups, etc.);
To gather, analyse, and share data on youth participation and engagement across the Confederation, and track progress, by identifying strengths, best practices and gaps. Share this data in reports, and circulate this information widely across the Confederation;
To contribute to the work with relevant Holy See Dicasteries, other organisations, universities and institutes of higher education to promote young people and their experiences and perspectives in relevant structures and decision-making process;
To work with the relevant Regional Secretariats and Member Organisations to coordinate and lead Caritas’ youth delegations to global events and initiatives (e.g. World Youth Day festivals);
To communicate Caritas’ youth strategies and actions via Caritas Youth’s social media channels, collaborate with the Department of Engagement to share youth-related initiatives through Caritas’ mainstream communications channels, and provide information on CI’s youth strategy in any relevant forum (e.g. ad limina visits to the office, in meetings with relevant bodies, etc.);
To attend, contribute to, and organise meetings on youth participation/leadership and related subjects both within and outside of the Caritas Confederation;
To contribute to training, workshops and CIMS assessment processes in the area of youth inclusion and empowerment;
To make sure that activities and initiatives related to the work areas above are in line with the operational plan and budget;
To contribute to the overall work of the Confederation Development Department and to the growth of the team.
PROFILE

University degree(s) in a subject related to humanitarian aid, development, international relations, social sciences, faith-based contexts, and/or other relevant field(s);
At least 5 years of professional and/or volunteering experience in a Caritas/Church organisation, including an active role in animation, and/or programme implementation;
Working proficiency in written and oral English; knowledge of French, Spanish and/or Italian is a strong asset;
Knowledge of the Church and Caritas structures;
Interest in and knowledge of organisational development and capacity strengthening processes, developing training modules and facilitating training sessions;
Ability to lead and animate a global programme and develop a sense of ownership of it by all members by synthesizing diverse inputs into a clear, coherent action plan
Familiarity with and ability to effectively and creatively use digital platforms that allow for global collaboration (e.g. zoom, shared online documents, social media, etc.);
Good understanding of and ability to adapt to current and changing communications trends, especially those used by young people;
Strong understanding of global trends and systems that impact and inform Caritas Internationalis’ mission;
Strong public communications and speaking skills;
Strong analytical, monitoring, evaluation and reporting skills;
Capacity to work in a diverse team and a multicultural environment with a spirit of respect and service;
Understanding of an “accompanying attitude” and ability to promote it with Member Organisations;
Capacity and willingness to be flexible and to work well under pressure;
Capacity and willingness to work with discretion regarding matters of high confidentiality or importance;
Ability to communicate clearly and to a high standard (oral and written);
Ability to meet assigned deadlines and to be results-oriented;
Adaptability, flexibility and availability to travel in different countries, even with short-term notice;
Proficient computer skills and experience working with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.), and other digital communications platforms (e.g. Zoom, shared online documents, social media, etc.);
Demonstrable empathy and respect for the faith and values of the Catholic Church;
Understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

Please send the CV, the cover letter (English language) and the Job Application