Apply Now to become the African Union Youth Envoy to the AU Commission in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia

Application Deadline: Monday 15th May 2018, 11 PM (Addis-Ababa time)

During the 30th Session of AU Heads of State and Government Assembly, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission, in his speech at the opening session announced the upcoming appointment of an AU Envoy on Youth. This information was well received by the Assembly. The creation of the position of the AU Youth Envoy derives from the report of Ministers during the meeting of the Specialized Technical Committee on Youth Culture and Sports (STC-YCS 2) and specifically decision 25 thereof which “ CALLS for the appointment of an AU Youth Envoy to assist in championing youth development issues in Africa and REQUESTS the AUC to develop terms of reference for the same.”

According to the United Nations statistics, the African population is estimated to

be more than a billion people of whom over 60% are young men and women under the age of 35. It is projected that, by 2020, 3 out of 4 people on the continent will have an average age of 20 years old

With the highest youth unemployment rate of any region in the world, the World Bank estimates that 11 million youth will enter Africa’s labour market every year for the next decade. Agenda 2063 recognizes that the future of the continent, in part, rests on the skills, knowledge, talents and commitment of its young people. The aspirations therein “reflect our desire for shared prosperity and well-being, for unity and integration, for a continent of free citizens and expanded horizons, where the full potential of women and youth are realized, and with freedom from fear, disease and want.”

Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063 specifically calls for an Africa where Development is People-

Driven, Unleashing the Potential of its Women and Youth.

At national levels, it is well noted that most AU Member States have youth related

policies and programs. There is full recognition of the challenges and great opportunities the youth presents and most African countries are making efforts to involve young people in political and decision making processes, as reflected in the establishment of national youth councils, appointment of youth in executive positions.

At regional and continental levels, Youth networks have been established including the Pan African Youth Union to serve as a channel for youth engagement and for conveying youth perspectives for integration into national, regional and continental policies strategies and programs.

Criteria & Qualification

Be an inspiring African Youth with demonstrated commitment to youth issues and to working with youth; applications of young women are particularly encouraged;
Have demonstrated commitment and leadership skills on youth issues and youth engagement;
Demonstrate managerial and leadership skills, and be capable to mobilize resources;
Have had national, regional, continental and international experience, and demonstrate political acumen;
Be an excellent communicator and computer literate, able to express and amplify the opinions, interests and rights of African Youths in all their diversity at the continental level and to develop and/or rely on communication tools to engage young people globally;
Have experience initiating and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues and processes;
English, French, Arabic, Portuguese are the working languages of the AU. Fluency in any AU working language is required; knowledge of another AU language would be an asset.

The Mission of the Envoy on Youth

The AU Youth Envoy is the spokesperson of the African youth before decision-making bodies on the continent.
He/she will advocate and raise awareness about the implementation of the African Youth Charter among other AU strategies and policies; to share established good practices.
He/she will generate adequate funding for advocacy efforts through strategic partnerships between the public, private and non-governmental sectors. In carrying out these activities, the Youth Envoy will work in close collaboration with the relevant AUC departments, entities and organizations.
He/she will encourage AU Member States to define and implement national, regional and continental policies on the youth.
He/she will also advocate for better youth mainstreaming in decision-making and will promote African values across the continent and beyond. In addition, he/she shall coordinate AU efforts for the youth and will try to reconcile the various AU initiatives of the African Union to the expectations and needs of the youth

To this end, his/her mission shall focus on 4 priority are including: Participation, Advocacy, Partnerships and Harmonisation.

It is within this context that the African Union Commission is hereby launching a call for nominations for the position of AU Youth Envoy who will be assigned to the Chairperson’s office and will directly report to him, while working in close collaboration with HRST Department. This call is open to all qualified young Africans. The scope and focus of the work of AU Youth Envoy will reflect AU vision and especially Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063 “An Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential of its people, especially its women and youth and caring for children…” which focuses on youth engagement and empowerment.

A completed application should include