Youth Networker (Youth Network Officer)

The Youth Networker plays an important role in advancing meaningful youth participation and leadership across IPPF Africa Region. Working within the Membership Support & Development Team, the postholder will strengthen IPPF Africa Region’s youth network (Youth Action Movement/YAM), support Member Associations to embed youth-led approaches, and ensure that young people's voices influence programmes, advocacy, governance, and accountability mechanisms.

This is a development opportunity designed for an emerging young professional who is passionate about SRHR, youth leadership, and social justice. The successful candidate will work closely with the YAM, other youth networks, MAs, regional colleagues, and global IPPF teams to build an inclusive and vibrant youth movement that champions the rights, leadership, and meaningful participation of young people across Africa.

The role offers hands-on experience in programme coordination, advocacy, partnership building, and youth engagement within one of the world's leading SRHR organizations, providing an excellent foundation for future leadership opportunities within the Federation.

To promote youth-centered action for expanded SRHRJ in the Africa region and connect a global community for youth participation across the Federation.

This is a youth development opportunity for a young professional (at most 25 years old at the time of application in line with IPPF's Youth Inclusion Initiative) with some experience in the NGO, youth development, or Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) sector. The role is designed to support professional growth while providing practical experience in youth leadership, advocacy, programme coordination, and regional engagement.

• Organize youth action to ensure that the region has a vibrant IPPF youth network that is inclusive of marginalized groups, working to advance in the goals of the new strategy with MAs. Support the YAM to set and/or deliver on their plans. Support the promotion of meaningful youth participation and youth-led accountability across the region and MAs, including contributing to Regional and Global Youth Forums.

• Support the integration of youth perspectives into regional programmes, advocacy initiatives, communications, workshops and other Federation-wide activities, ensuring meaningful youth participation and amplification of youth voices.

• Contribute to initiatives that strengthen youth leadership pathways across the Federation by supporting youth engagement, mentorship opportunities, and regional network development.

• Champion youth participation within the Secretariat by promoting safe, inclusive and meaningful engagement of young people, while supporting safeguarding, diversity and anti-racist practices.

• Is a champion for Youth centered action within the Secretariat and amplify youth voices into the work of the Secretariat.

• Support MAs to develop youth networks in their location of work and foster youth centricity/ youth led programming in their local work in collaboration with Architects of Cooperation.

• Support and enable a safe environment, adhering to the safeguarding reporting and monitoring requirements of this role.

The essential skills required are: 

· A degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, International Development, Youth Development, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Communications or a related field.

· Fluent in English, French or Portuguese; knowledge of at least two languages is an advantage.

· Experience working with youth-led organizations, youth networks, community groups, civil society, or programmes promoting youth participation and leadership.

· Demonstrated commitment to SRHR, gender equality, youth empowerment, and social justice.

· Experience engaging, mobilizing, and supporting diverse groups of young people, including those from marginalized and underrepresented communities.

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships across different cultures and backgrounds.

· Good planning, coordination, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

· Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multicultural, multilingual, and intergenerational teams.

· Strong facilitation, networking, and stakeholder engagement skills.

· Good analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify practical solutions and learn from experience.

· Competent in Microsoft Office applications and confident using digital collaboration tools and social media platforms for engagement and advocacy.

· Demonstrates creativity, curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn and contribute new ideas.