CEPPS Youth Advisory Group: Call for Applications

The CEPPS Youth Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) Cross-Sectoral Initiative (CSI) invites you to apply to the Youth Advisory Group! We seek young leaders from diverse backgrounds with experience working at the local or national level as activists, advocates, community organizers, and leaders.

Application Period: October 20, 2022 – October 31, 2022 (5 p.m. EST)

Duration of Advisory Group Membership: November 2022 – June 2023

Time Commitment: 4-6 hours per month

What is the CEPPS Youth DRG Cross-Sectoral Initiative?

Under the USAID Democratic Elections and Political Processes (DEPP) award, the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) is exploring the intersection of DRG and other youth development sectors, bringing together practitioners, donors, and young leaders from across the world. The CEPPS Youth DRG Cross-Sectoral Initiative is a discussion and knowledge-sharing forum dedicated to helping practitioners, donors, and young leaders across sectors explore opportunities and share promising practices that advance the political participation, representation, power, and leadership of young people in decision-making positions and processes.

What is the CEPPS Youth Advisory Group?

The Youth Advisory Group is a leadership opportunity for seven young people between the ages of 18 to 30 with a history of leadership and participation across youth development sectors, including but not limited to democracy, human rights and governance; health; peace and security; economic development; etc. Youth Advisory Group members will play a key role in expanding the knowledge and resources for designing and implementing youth-led cross-sectoral programs around the world.

As part of the program, the Youth Advisory Group members will highlight the importance of integrating cross-sectoral approaches to youth leadership and political participation across youth development sectors by:

Attending monthly virtual meetings, including one in-person meeting in Washington, DC planned tentatively for Winter
Providing input and recommendations for the design and approach of a training series to socialize CEPPS youth resources, including the Engaging Young People Across Sectors toolkit and the Practitioner’s Guide for Social and Behavioral Change, amongst young leaders, CEPPS staff, and partners through training and discussion forums. Serve as a co-facilitator during select trainings.
Review and provide feedback on youth inclusion tools and resources, including the Barrier Analysis Tool.

The activities of the Youth Advisory Group will take place virtually and will be led by the group members and supported by CEPPS staff. CEPPS will ensure that online meetings are accessible and provide reasonable accommodations. The Youth Advisory Group members will be competitively selected through an open application process. Selected applicants will commit 4-6 hours per month between November 2022 – June 2023.

Benefits for Youth Cross-Sectoral Advisory Group Members

Youth Cross-Sectoral Advisory Group members will receive a stipend of $2,000 USD at the successful conclusion of their term. Additionally, Youth Advisory Group members will have the opportunity to engage with leading practitioners and issue experts through working group sessions and events. They will also be featured in USAID CEPPS external communication, including the CEPPS newsletter, social media, and announcements to amplify their contributions to the cross-sectoral initiative. Youth Advisory Group members may request a letter of completion upon the conclusion of their term.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Applicant(s) must:

Be a resident in a low-or middle-income (LMIC) country, as listed here;
Be between the ages of 18-30 (at the time of application and through the end of June 2023);
Have demonstrated leadership and participation across one or more sectors, for example, democracy, human rights and governance; education; health; workforce development; peace and security; etc.;
Have demonstrated engagement with and support of peers;
Have experience with civic or political engagement, advocacy, community organizing and/or community engagement;
Have reliable internet access for participation in calls, webinars, and other activities;
Be willing and able to meet the tasks and responsibilities listed above;
Have strong collaboration and communication skills;
Have a good command of written and spoken English;
Be comfortable working online;
Be self-motivated and creative; and
Be willing to commit 4-6 hours per month.

Timeline

October 20, 2022: Applications Posted
October 31, 2022: Application Deadline
November 11, 2022: Announcement of Youth Advisory Group Members