Youth Networker (Youth Network Officer)

Role Overview

This position is a deliberate career-building placement for a young professional ready to turn passion for sexual and reproductive health and rights into practical action. You will work alongside the Youth Action Movement, Member Associations, and regional colleagues to make sure young people are not just consulted but genuinely driving decisions, programmes, and advocacy across Africa. Day to day, you will coordinate youth networks, support planning and accountability processes, and help connect grassroots youth energy with the wider IPPF Federation.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and energise the regional Youth Action Movement so it becomes a stronger, more inclusive network that actively shapes IPPF Africa Region’s strategy and priorities.
• Support member associations to build or strengthen their own youth networks, embedding youth-led approaches into their local programming and advocacy.
• Ensure youth perspectives are woven into regional projects, campaigns, workshops, and communication materials by facilitating direct input from young people.
• Help organise regional and global youth forums and other participation spaces, making sure they are safe, accessible, and meaningful for all participants.
• Work with colleagues and partners to create clearer pathways for young people to move into leadership roles within the Federation, including mentorship and network development.
• Promote a safeguarding-first culture and champion anti-racist, inclusive, and intergenerational practices across all youth engagement activities.
• Act as a bridge between the Secretariat and youth networks, amplifying young voices in internal decision-making and external advocacy.
• Support monitoring and reporting on youth engagement and safeguarding requirements, ensuring accountability at every step.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A degree in social sciences, public health, international development, youth development, human rights, gender studies, communications, or a related discipline.
• Aged 25 or under at the time of application, in line with the organisation’s youth inclusion approach.
• Some hands-on experience in civil society, youth-led organisations, community networks, or programmes focused on youth participation and leadership.
• Demonstrable commitment to SRHR, gender equality, youth empowerment, and social justice, with a clear understanding of why meaningful youth engagement matters.
• Ability to connect with and mobilise diverse groups of young people, including those from marginalised or less visible communities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, comfortable working across cultures and generations, and able to build trust with different stakeholders.
• Solid organisational and coordination skills, with the capacity to juggle multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Confident using Microsoft Office, digital collaboration tools, and social media platforms for engagement, networking, and advocacy.
• Fluency in English, French, or Portuguese; knowing at least two of these languages is a definite advantage.
• A proactive, creative mindset with a willingness to experiment, learn quickly, and contribute fresh ideas.

What We Offer / Why Join

This is more than a job — it is a structured development opportunity designed for an emerging professional who wants to grow into a future leader in the SRHR movement. You will gain practical experience in programme coordination, advocacy, partnership building, and youth engagement within one of the world’s leading sexual and reproductive health organisations. Along the way, you will build a strong professional network, receive mentorship and guidance, and help shape a more inclusive, youth-powered future for the region.