Duration: Twelve (12) months
Period: 1 September 2023 – 31 July 2024
The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC), established in 2013 with the support of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, was endorsed at the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka as an autonomous, youth-led organization.
CYC is the official representative voice of more than 1.2 billion young people in the Commonwealth. Led by a ten-member executive, the CYC acts as a coalition of national youth councils and other youth-led civil society and private sector bodies from across the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth.
CYC aims to further advance the youth development agenda by integrating young people into the development work of the Commonwealth at national, regional, and Pan-Commonwealth levels. It provides a sustainable platform for unified engagement with decision-makers and youth-led development initiatives.
The Commonwealth continues to reaffirm its commitment to youth development issues at CHOGM 2022 in Rwanda where the Commonwealth Heads announced 2023 as the ‘Year of Youth’.
Read about the Commonwealth Youth Networks and follow the Commonwealth Youth Council on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates on all our activities.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be aged between 18 to 29 years at the time of application, on 31 July 2023;
- Be a citizen of a Commonwealth member country;
- Have a strong commitment to CYC’s vision and mission;
- Have a proven track record in working in diverse and multinational, and remote teams;
- Have evidence of strong experience in managing a diverse, regional and/or international network;
- Have strong writing and reporting skills and excellent communication and project management skills
- At least a bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Public Policy, Business Management, Social Sciences or any other field;
- At least 5 years’ experience in youth capacity building, mentoring and managing networks of experts and youth leaders, particularly in Commonwealth countries;
- Proficient in developing strategic plans, trainings and workshops as well as youth policy development;
- Demonstrated experience in engaging and mobilising stakeholders and resources from governments, private sector, CSOs, academia, and youth networks for youth development and empowerment.
- Be available to commit 18 hours per week to network activities.
Key deliverables and responsibility
The main role of the CYC coordinator is to coordinate the activities and operational functions of the CYC under the leadership of the Executive Committee (EXCO) and report network activities back to the Secretariat. The coordinator must communicate regularly with the Commonwealth youth programme and the CYC Executive to assist in delivering the network’s mandate and work plan.
The CYC Coordinator must be committed to upholding the values and principles of the Commonwealth. The coordinator is responsible for protecting the personal information of CYC youth members and any related confidential information.
Task description
- Develop an effective working relationship with CYC Executives for effective management of CYC (administratively) and maintain logistical arrangements of the network including supporting the Executive team in their regular meetings and communications with their regions;
- Enhance Commonwealth youth participation by coordinating inclusive engagement of CYC executives and members at opportunities such as policy discussion and meetings internationally and across the Commonwealth;
- Strengthen the global and regional presence of CYC by supporting the production of consistent external communications, awareness raising, and capacity building of CYC membership;
- Work closely with the Chairperson to contribute to and coordinate engagements at high level meetings, in particular, the Commonwealth Youth Ministers’ Meeting and the Commonwealth Youth Forum and other meetings;
- Support the strengthening of communication, partnerships and collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC), Commonwealth Youth Networks, and other stakeholders as directed;
- Support knowledge management through the maintenance of the CYC information sharing system and platform, by ensuring that CYC has an updated, functioning and accessible library of assets;
- Support the CYC executive to ensure the effective delivery, measurement and documentation of their work, mandated responsibilities and engagements with stakeholders through monthly and annual CYC reports;
- Advise and support the regular measurement and improvement of the inclusivity, diversity and fair representation of the CYC throughout its structures. This includes maintaining the membership database, support the transition of CYC alums, formulate and maintain a fair and transparent membership selection process, and the regular onboarding of new members;
- Represent the network in various external partnerships and relevant advocacy groups to facilitate CYC’s participation in relevant Commonwealth events;
- Actively support the development of a sound and sustainable CYC structure and governance process, and CYC leadership transitions and handover;
- Support the production and implementation of surveys and consultations to have up-to-date data on various areas including periodic skills gaps, membership gaps, thematic youth needs, etc.
- Maintain frequent and consistent communication with the assigned staff(s) from the Commonwealth Secretariat managing the network, this includes ensuring regular updates of the network’s work and also sharing of opportunities and announcements to all members of the network.
Compulsory and desirable skills
1. Administration & Reporting Support
- The candidate should possess excellent administrative and people skills, ability to coordinate/support meetings
- The candidate must have experience in leading and/or writing publications, policy papers, support research and thematic policy areas.
2. Project Management & Implementation
- The candidate should be able to commit the time required, at ~18 hours per week
- Possess project management/project delivery skills, support partnerships development, implementation track record, build stakeholders/network relationships & strategic planning
- Candidate should be able to demonstrate resourcefulness, and working with limited time and resources
- Candidate should be well-versed in the effective use of remote-working tools
3. Networking
- The candidate should be able to demonstrate his/her network in the relevant space;
- The candidate should also account and share for the skills to grow a community and network, beyond personal networks.
Compulsory Characteristics
- Perseverance
- The candidate should demonstrate commitment and perseverance
- Diversity and Inclusion
- The candidate should be able to show interest and experience working in diverse teams and on diversity and inclusion matters.
- EQ
- The candidate should be able to show exemplary people management skills, be able to build relationships and be the liaison between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Executive team of the Network.
- The candidate should be organised, professional and emotionally intelligent.
How to apply
Applicants should apply by 31 July 2023 23:59hrs (BST). Only applications received via the application form will be accepted.
Please note that the form will require you to upload documents including but not limited to the following:
- Resume/CV (maximum 2 pages)
- A cover letter outlining your experience (maximum 1 page)
- Names and contact details of 2 referees