Youth Engagement Associate

The Youth Engagement Associate will support the planning, coordination, and implementation of youth-focused activities of the project. The role requires working closely with youth groups, partners, and stakeholders to ensure meaningful youth participation and effective project delivery, including working with the AGRA-ICPAC project team and various departments of ICPAC and IGAD, especially the communication and gender teams. She/He will work with youth organizations, young people, and supporters of youth working in Africa in general and the project focus countries in particular.

Key Responsibilities

The Youth Engagement Associate will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Map youth-led climate-focused organisations, innovation hubs, cooperatives, associations, networks, and groups across select countries.
• Collaborate with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to co-produce tailored climate services and deliver them to youth in the agri-food systems value chain.
• Train youth farmers in the Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) approach.
• Foster partnerships with existing agricultural extension systems to expand young farmers' access to advisory services.
• Facilitate consultation forums with youth and youth groups to capture their priorities and challenges, and advocate for their perspectives to be considered in climate-related decisions.
• Build youth capacity through training in a range of topics including climate adaptation, climate justice, advocacy, and effective communication strategies.
• Organise interactive sessions with experts, agri-preneurs, and private sector actors on climate services, green jobs, and innovation.
• Support the design and launch of youth-led digital tools that can facilitate the delivery of localised and user-friendly climate services.
• Explore partnerships with private sector actors, such as climate-tech firms, to support and scale youth-led initiatives.
• Facilitate youth participation in national, regional, and international climate and agri-food systems forums.
• Capture, document, and disseminate best practices and lessons learned from youth engagement to foster peer learning, scale successful models, and inform policy.
• Report progress to internal and external stakeholders via meetings, written reports, and presentations.
• Prepare and contribute to reports, including progress reports and final reports in consultation with AGRA-ICPAC project team and relevant ICPAC departments for soliciting report content.
• Support implementation of overall project activities.
• Participate in organizing project activities (gatherings, workshops, trainings, etc.) and support implementing team as needed.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with relevant youth organizations across Africa, universities, and local communities to foster collaboration and engagement.
• Work with African youth to amplify their voices and ensure they are represented in speaking opportunities.
• Track the success and impact of youth engagement programs through regular assessments and feedback mechanisms.
• Create reports to inform project objectives and implementation of initiatives.
• Facilitate young people to build their skills and confidence so that young people’s participation and contribution are maximised and that they are able to express their views.
• Work closely and effectively with AGRA-ICPAC project team to achieve the aims and objectives of the project.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Academic Qualification

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Climate Change, Agriculture, Community Development, Social Sciences, Gender studies, or Communications.
• A Master’s level study in the aforementioned field of studies will be considered an added advantage.

Professional Work Experience

• At least three (3) years of progressive experience in youth engagement, climate change, agriculture and agrifood systems, and/or development projects.
• Strong understanding and practical experience in the climate services value chain, including co-production of climate information, tailoring services to user needs, and supporting dissemination through extension systems, digital platforms, or other delivery channels.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering training programs, capacity-building initiatives or participatory approaches for youth groups, farmer associations or cooperatives, with a focus on climate solutions such as climate-smart agriculture.
• Experience managing partnerships with various stakeholders, including government institutions, community-based groups, and private sector actors.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate diverse perspectives into evidence-based insights that can inform decision making.
• Practical experience with digital tools, including online engagement platforms, mobile applications, as well as social media for outreach.
• Knowledge of financial inclusion mechanisms such as microfinance, agricultural banking, insurance, or climate finance, is an added advantage.
• Experience working with youth in multiple projects.