Fund

The International Youth Digital Leadership Council or "Digital Youth Council" is a 12-member council of young leaders between the ages of 16 and 24 who are working on issues related to digital platforms and security, and who are interested in reducing digital harm to children and youth. The Digital Youth Council will positively incorporate youth voices and strengthen the capacity of youth participants to (1) enable USAID to get creative feedback and ideas to successfully fulfil the goals of its Digital Strategy and (2) empower the next generation of digital change agents and advocates. 

In spring 2021, the Digital Youth Council selected the first group of young change agents from Bolivia, Cameroon, Georgia, Haiti, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Rwanda and Zambia. The Council began monthly member meetings with USAID. Its work aimed to reduce digital harm to children and youth and provide USAID with a better youth-informed understanding of how children and youth want to interact with digital assets. The Council is also part of USAID's new Global LEAD initiative to support one million young changemakers around the world with greater civic engagement and leadership opportunities.  

USAID is recruiting for a second Digital Youth Council to begin in 2023. The second council will include a graduate of the first Digital Youth Council who will serve as a guide and mentor for new members in 2023. Council members are expected to start in February 2023 and serve for eleven months.

The Digital Youth Council is supported by YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation (YP2LE), a USAID-funded activity focused on building and disseminating evidence on Positive Youth Development (PYD).

Roles and responsibilities of Digital Youth Council members

Digital Youth Council members will advise, inform and contribute to USAID's efforts to promote greater protection from digital harm and in alignment with the Agency's Digital Strategy. With guidance from USAID, Council members will meet monthly and bring their personal and professional experiences working on digital platforms and security to advise on key topics in the digital ecosystem. 

The Digital Youth Council will not only serve as an important voice to help guide the implementation of USAID's Digital Strategy, but will also help raise awareness of digital harm in their countries and influence national leaders, the private sector, civil society, their community and other young people on how best to stay safe while learning, playing and exploring the digital world.

Roles and responsibilities of Digital Youth Council members

The Digital Youth Council will meet monthly (virtually) for 11 months to discuss and plan ideas and develop their capacity as young ambassadors for digital harm. Meetings will follow a thematic agenda, starting with a kick-off designed to connect members to each other and to enable them to share their online experiences and interests in digital harm prevention. A thorough onboarding process will be used to orientate members on the role of the Council and the group's expected outcomes. In subsequent meetings, Digital Youth Council members will work individually or in groups to propose innovative solutions to address digital harm prevention and response. 

The main roles and responsibilities of board members include: 

• Participate in 11 monthly virtual meetings on the main topics of discussion for USAID and young leaders; 
• Respond in a timely manner to emails and communications from USAID requesting information; 
• Be part of an ongoing community of practice on youth leadership at YouthLead.org;
• Select and follow a sub-theme project throughout your term: members will be encouraged to champion their own topic or split into smaller groups to address specific issues or areas of interest;
• Present your project at the end-of-year session;
• Develop a personalised social media awareness campaign for your specific geographical region;
• Serve for a period of 11 months based on active participation, as described in your membership contract.

Digital Youth Council member qualifications

Digital Youth Council members will work directly with Mattito Watson, Senior Technical Advisor, Children and Adversity, USAID DCHA/DRG, Children in Adversity Division. Additional support for members will be provided by the YP2LE team at Making Cents International.

Based on the aims and objectives of the DYC, members are expected to fulfil the following requirements: 

• 16 to 24 years from 1st January 2023;
• Have promoted or engaged in digital literacy, digital harm prevention or similar issues at a local, national or international level;
• Have a good understanding of digital harm and how young people are accessing digital platforms and the internet in your region;
• Have a strong peer network and social media presence and you can reach a large number of young followers in your region;
• Have a proven ability to inspire and a reputation for inclusive and innovative leadership;
• The ability to work in English (written and spoken); 
• They are from a low- and middle-income country and/or very well acquainted with low- and middle-income country contexts and digital harm issues;
• They can take part in regular Digital Youth Council meetings using platforms such as Google Hangout, Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Compensation

Digital Youth Council members will receive a one-off stipend of $ 300 to be paid at the start of their membership to cover internet costs for Council meetings. Council members will also receive an honorarium of $ 700 to be paid upon successful completion of their membership. Members must document their time in order to receive the honorarium. The report format and guidance will be provided by YP2LE.

How to apply 

Interested candidates should send in their completed applications using the online application form here: 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Submissions will be accepted continuously until 11.59pm EST on 15 December 2022.  

 About the USAID Centre for Children in Situations of Adversity (CECA) 

The United States government envisions a world in which all children thrive in protective and loving families, free from deprivation, violence and danger. Promoting Protection and Care for Children in Adversity: A U.S. Government Strategy for International Assistance describes the commitment and approach of the entire U.S. government to invest in the development, care, dignity and safety of the world's most vulnerable children and their families over the next five years. USG partners involved in implementing the APCCA Strategy include the US Departments of Health and Human Services, Labour and State; the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); and the Peace Corps.

USAID's Centre for Children in Situations of Adversity (CECA) supports the Special Adviser in leading the implementation of the goals and objectives of the APCCA Strategy:

• Objective 1, Build Strong Beginnings,
• Objective 2, Putting the family first and
• Goal 3, Protect Children from Violence.

Find out more about ECSC and APCCA Strategy here: https://www.childreninadversity.gov/

Region: Global, Indonesia, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America/Caribbean, Middle East.

Countries: Armenia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kenya, Kosovo, Liberia, Malawi, Philippines, Somalia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe