Ten young leaders will advise, influence, and drive youth-led change across the continent!
-Ministries in charge of youth and YCA country partners are invited to recommend candidates.
Send nominations to: info@youthconnektafrica.org
Full details & ToR available at: www.youthconnekt.org
1. Introduction and Rationale
YouthConnekt Africa (YCA) is a pan-African initiative dedicated to empowering young people across the continent. To strengthen its governance, enhance its legitimacy, and ensure its strategies and programs are youth-centric and impactful, YCA is establishing a Youth Advisory Council (YAC). This council will serve as an essential, independent voice, providing strategic advice and authentic youth perspectives directly to YCA’s leadership.
The establishment of the YAC underscores YCA’s commitment to meaningful youth participation, recognizing young people as active partners in shaping Africa’s future.
2. Purpose and Overall Mandate
The primary mandate of the Youth Advisory Council is to provide strategic advice, diverse youth perspectives, and relevant, differentiated insights to the YCA Secretariat, represented by the Executive Director, thereby strengthening YCA’s policies, programs, and overall impact across its 37 member countries. The YAC will ensure that YCA’s work remains relevant, responsive, and truly representative of the diverse needs and aspirations of African youth.
3. Roles and Responsibilities of the YAC
The YAC will fulfill its mandate through the following key roles and responsibilities:
- Strategic Guidance:
- Offer youth perspectives on YCA’s roadmap and long-term vision.
- Advise on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities affecting African youth, including socio-economic, political, technological, and environmental shifts.
- Program and Policy Input:
- Review and provide constructive feedback on YCA programs, initiatives and policy briefs, ensuring their relevance, contextual appropriateness, and potential impact on young people.
- Identify gaps or areas for improvement in existing YCA interventions from a youth lens.
- Advocacy and Representation:
- Serve as official youth ambassadors for YCA, promoting its mission and advocating for youth empowerment priorities at national, regional, and international forums.
- Bring forward specific youth concerns and recommendations from their respective countries or regions to YCA leadership.
- Accountability and Transparency:
- Provide independent feedback on the perceived effectiveness, reach, and impact of YCA’s work.
- Contribute to fostering a culture of transparency and continuous learning within YCA regarding youth engagement.
- Innovation and Partnerships:
- Generate fresh ideas and creative approaches to address youth development challenges in Africa.
- Support YCA in identifying potential new partnerships and collaborations with youth-led organizations, private sector entities, and other stakeholders.
- Mobilization and Engagement:
- Support the mobilization of young people for YCA initiatives, campaigns, and events within their networks and countries.
- Facilitate broader youth participation and consultation in YCA activities.
Note: The YAC serves strictly in an advisory capacity, offering valuable recommendations and insights. It does not carry executive or fiduciary responsibilities; final decision-making authority remains with the YCA Executive Director and the YCA Co-Chairs, in line with YCA’s established governance.
4. Composition and Membership
- Size: The YAC shall consist of 10 members. This number aims to ensure broad representation while maintaining an effective working size.
- Representation: Members shall be selected to ensure broad diversity, reflecting:
- Geographic spread: Balanced representation across YCA’s five sub-regions of Africa (North, South, East, West, Central) and from a significant number of member countries.
- Gender Balance: A minimum of 50% female representation.
- Thematic Diversity: Members with experience and interest across YCA’s key pillars (e.g., entrepreneurship, civic engagement, climate action, trade policy, health, education, peace and security), combined with demonstrable achievement and future potential in these areas.
- Inclusivity: Active efforts will be made to include youth from marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, rural youth, indigenous youth, and internally displaced persons.
- Age Diversity: Members will represent a range within the defined age bracket.
- Age: Members must be between the ages of 23 and 35 years old at the time of appointment.
- Nationality/Residency: Members must be citizens or permanent residents of a YCA member country.
- Language: Members should be proficient in at least one of YCA’s working languages (English, French).
- Term Limits: Each member shall serve a term of two (2) years, renewable once for a maximum of four (4) years, to ensure both continuity and fresh perspectives.
Selection Process: Members will be selected through a transparent and merit-based application process. Candidates must be recommended by reputable institutions or recognized individuals within the youth development sector. Recommendations, including the candidate’s name and contact information (email, phone, LinkedIn, etc.), along with a brief statement of support, should be submitted to info@youthconnektafrica.org by August 28th, 2025, by 5 PM CAT. The selection process will be overseen by a diverse YCA-appointed selection committee, as outlined in YCA’s YAC Establishment Guidelines. Only selected candidates will be contacted. In case there is any question regarding the process, please contact us at info@youthconnektafrica.org.
NOTE: Each institution (partners and ministries) can recommend a maximum of three (3) people ONLY.
5. Operations and Modus Operandi
- Meetings:
- The YAC will hold regular virtual meetings quarterly, or as otherwise deemed necessary by the YAC leadership in consultation with the YCA Secretariat.
- An annual in-person meeting may be organized, subject to funding availability and strategic need.
- Meeting agendas and relevant documents will be shared in advance to allow for thorough preparation.
- Leadership: The YAC members will elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson from among themselves for a 2 years term, renewable once. Their roles will include facilitating meetings, liaising with the YCA Secretariat, and representing the YAC externally.
- Communication:
- A dedicated YCA staff member will serve as the primary Liaison to the YAC, facilitating communication, providing support, and ensuring information flow between the YAC and the YCA Secretariat.
- Formal communication channels (e.g., dedicated email group, secure online platform) will be established for ongoing dialogue and document sharing.
- Reporting:
- The YAC will submit formal recommendations, insights, and feedback to the YCA Executive Director and relevant departments as required.
- The YAC Chairperson will provide periodic reports or presentations to the YCA Secretariat.
- Support and Resources: YCA commits to providing necessary administrative, logistical, and technical support to the YAC, including access to virtual meeting platforms, relevant documents, and capacity-building opportunities.
6. Code of Conduct and Accountability
- Commitment: YAC members are expected to actively participate in meetings, contribute meaningfully to discussions, and fulfill assigned tasks within agreed timelines.
- Confidentiality: Members must adhere to YCA’s confidentiality policies regarding sensitive information shared during YAC activities.
- Code of Conduct: Members shall uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and respect, aligning with YCA’s values and principles. Any breaches of conduct may lead to review of membership status.
- Performance Review: The YCA Secretariat, in consultation with the YAC leadership, will periodically review member participation and contributions. The Secretariat reserves the right to remove members who consistently fail to meet their commitments and uphold YCA’s values and principles.
7. Review and Amendment
These Terms of Reference shall be reviewed and may be amended by the YCA Executive Director, in consultation with the YAC, every two years or as deemed necessary to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.
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