Youth Advisory Board Member

Job Description

Position Title: Youth Advisory Board Member

Position Location: Any country in Africa

Term: 2 years (renewable once)

Expected Start Date: August 2026

Application Deadline: July 5, 2026

Who we are:

WUSC is a Canadian global development organization working to catalyze positive education and economic outcomes for young people. We bring together and collaborate with a diverse network of partners (including students, volunteers, schools, governments, not-for-profits, and businesses) who share this mission. Together, we influence systems change and foster inclusive, youth-centered solutions that enable young people to thrive and belong. We work with all young people, with a focus on women and displaced populations. WUSC currently operates in 28 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Canada, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $65 million. Our global team includes over 100 staff in Canada and more than 250 staff internationally, implementing a diverse portfolio of development projects in collaboration with numerous multilateral and bilateral donors and philanthropic foundations.

About DREEM

DREEM 2.0 is a five-year initiative led by WUSC, which aims at driving lasting change for refugee, displaced, and host community (RDP) youth, particularly young women, across Africa, helping them secure dignified and fulfilling work. By deepening engagement, strengthening local ecosystems, and equipping Mastercard Foundation and its partners with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships needed, it strengthens organizational and institutional capacity, fosters inclusive policies and practices, and supports RDP youth leadership.

As part of these efforts, WUSC is setting up a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) that will play a central role in increasing the leadership and participation of RDP youth in the governance and oversight over the DREEM initiative. Through advice and guidance to WUSC, Mastercard Foundation, their stakeholders and program partners (including RLOs), YAB members will inform the design and implementation of WUSC’s work under this initiative to ensure it reflects the unique perspectives of refugee and displaced youth and meet their needs.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Mandate

The purpose of the Advisory Board is to ensure the inclusion of the perspectives, experiences, needs, aspirations and guidance of refugees, displaced young people, and host community youth in the design, development, delivery and evaluation of activities undertaken by WUSC, the Foundation and its partners.  The roles of the Youth Advisory Board will include:

• Provide strategic guidance and recommendations to ensure alignment of the initiative with the Foundation’s RDP framework, objectives and expected outcomes;
• Provide advice and feedback regarding the design and delivery of the DREEM initiative, mainly around the key areas of: 1) refugee-led organizations engagement and access to finance; 2) access to dignified and fulfilling work and; 3) higher education inclusion;
• Provide recommendations on the content and delivery of training and workshops, as well as taking a leadership role in the development of refugee-led events supported by DREEM;
• Act as advocates and ambassadors for DREEM, including through participation and representation at various events and forums as requested;
• Support in-person and virtual RDP inclusion events with the Foundation and its partners, including sharing best practices beyond the Mastercard Foundation network as requested;
• Support information dissemination and establishing connections and opportunities with other existing networks of refugee and displaced youth;
• Support community engagement efforts and build linkages and opportunities with other existing networks of refugee and displaced youth including advisory groups.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Youth Advisory Board

• Dedicate approximately 10-15 hours a month to the Board;
• Attend two in-person week-long meetings per year;
• Attend bi-monthly virtual meetings;
• Work collaboratively with DREEM staff, other board members, and the DREEM Youth RDP Inclusion Advisors/Export Pool to provide input into DREEM’s interventions, approaches, and activities;
• Members may be asked to review publications and other documents developed throughout the project and to participate in additional working sessions of the Foundation throughout the year;
• Act as ambassadors for DREEM within peer groups and at events when requested.

Composition

The YAB will comprise 15 members aged 18 to 35 (at the time of application), with lived experiences of displacement, from across the African continent, and will prioritize the inclusion of young women (at least 60%) and individuals with disabilities.

The YAB will elect two members to serve as the YAB coordinators. The YAB coordinators will serve as the main contact point between the YAB and the DREEM project. The coordinators serve a one year term and will receive additional compensation (additional USD75 or its equivalent in local currency per month).

Term

YAB members will be recruited for an initial two-year term and will receive professional development opportunities, governance training, and advocacy skills training. This will not only ensure that RDP youth are well represented in decision-making processes but also foster their growth as leaders in their communities and beyond.

Terms may be renewable for up to 4 years on mutual agreement. Membership on the Board is entirely voluntary. Members will receive a modest monthly honorarium  and communications stipend (a total of USD150 or its equivalent in local currency per month) in recognition of their contributions and to facilitate their participation in virtual events. Other benefits include access to the YAB Community Fund, which provides up to USD 10,000 for research, interventions, and events for RDP youth in alignment with the DREEM project’s priorities. Expenses related to participation in meetings or project activities, such as travel and accommodations, will be covered by WUSC.

YAB members can expect:

• To receive complete, accurate, and relevant information in a timely manner;
• To be given adequate time to make important decisions;
• Feedback and open and honest discussions;
• Commitment to incorporating feedback into the design and implementation of initiatives (within the limitations of project scope);
• Opportunities for professional development in project-identified areas of interest.

Administration

• The Youth Advisory Board will report to the DREEM Project Director. The day to day administration of the YAB will  be managed by the DREEM Senior Administrative Officer – Youth Advisory Board, in collaboration with the YAB Coordinators.
• WUSC will be responsible for convening the Advisory Board and will work with team members to facilitate participatory processes with team members.
• The Youth Advisory Board will be required to comply with WUSC’s Code of Conduct and the DREEM YAB Confidentiality and Conduct Agreement.
• WUSC reserves the right to dissolve the Board or remove and reappoint members as needed.
• Board members reserve the right to resign from the board upon providing two weeks written notice to the DREEM Project Director.

Qualifications

• Must have lived experience of forced displacement (i.e. refugee, asylum seeker, internally displaced person, returnee, stateless person)
• Ability to offer critical, constructive advice and feedback
• Capacity to work in a team context
• Passion for giving back to their communities
• Commitment to youth leadership
• Demonstrated leadership in their communities
• French or Arabic language speaking skills are considered an asset: We value linguistic diversity; candidates who can contribute in multiple project languages are strongly encouraged to apply!
• Experience with refugee-led organizations, grant-making, access to economic opportunities and/or higher education inclusion is considered an asset

Applications

Membership of the Youth Advisory Board will be determined through an open and transparent process. Selection will be done by WUSC according to the qualifications and background of the nominees. Refugees and displaced youth who meet the section criteria and are from any country on the African continent are encouraged to apply.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their CVs and letters of interest  by Sunday 5 July, 2026. In your letter of interest, please describe yourself, including your motivation to be a part of the committee, your leadership activities, what contributions you will bring to the committee, and your aspirations for the future.

We encourage applications from diverse individuals. We value a variety of backgrounds, experiences, skills, and perspectives. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

For any questions, please contact dreem@wusc.ca