The USAID 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 safety, and who are interested in reducing digital harm for children and youth. The Digital Youth Council will positively incorporate youth voices and strengthen the capacity of youth participants to both (1) allow USAID to get reactions and creative ideas towards successfully fulfilling the goals of its Digital Strategy, and (2) strengthen the next generation of digital changemakers and advocates.
In the Spring of 2021, the Digital Youth Council selected the first cohort of young changemakers from Bolivia, Cameroon, Georgia, Haiti, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zambia. The Council kicked off monthly member meetings with USAID. Their work aimed to reduce digital harm for children and youth and to provide USAID with a better, youth-informed understanding of how children and youth want to interact with digital assets. The Council also forms part of USAID’s new Global LEAD initiative to support one million young changemakers around the world with increased civic engagement and leadership opportunities.
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USAID is recruiting for a second Digital Youth Council to begin in 2023. The second council will include one graduate of the first Digital Youth Council who will serve as a guide and mentor to 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).
Digital Youth Council Member Roles and Responsibilities
Members of the Digital Youth Council will advise, inform, and contribute to USAID’s efforts to advance greater protection from digital harm and in alignment with the Agency’s Digital Strategy. With guidance from USAID, Council members will meet on a monthly-basis, and bring their personal and professional experiences working on digital platforms and safety to advise on key topics within the digital ecosystem.
The Digital Youth Council will not only serve as an important voice in helping to guide the implementation of USAID’s Digital Strategy, but they will also help to raise awareness of digital harm in their countries, and influence national leaders, the private sector, civil society, their community, and other youth on how best to keep safe while learning, playing, and exploring in the digital world.
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Roles and Responsibilities for Digital Youth Council Members
The Digital Youth Council will meet monthly (virtually) for 11 months to discuss and plan ideas and build their capacity as youth ambassadors on digital harm. The meetings will follow a thematic agenda, starting with an initial kick-off designed to connect members with one another and in ways that enable them to share their experiences online and interests in preventing digital harm. A full onboarding process will be used to orient members to the role of the Council and expected outcomes of the group. Subsequent meetings will have members of the Digital Youth Council work individually or in groups to propose innovative solutions to address the prevention and response to digital harm. Each member will undertake an individual or group project on a topic related to the prevention of digital harm and present their project findings in the final two meetings of the Council.
Key roles and responsibilities of council members include:
- Take part in 11 monthly virtual meetings on key topics of discussion for USAID and the young leaders;
- Respond in a timely manner to emails and communication from USAID requesting input;
- Form part of an ongoing community of practice on youth leadership on YouthLead.org;
- Select and pursue a sub-theme project over the course of their tenure: members will be encouraged to either champion their own topic or break into smaller groups to address specific issues or areas of interest;
- Present their project at the end-of-the year session;
- Develop a tailored social media awareness raising campaign for their specific geographic region;
- Serve an 11-month term based on active participation as outlined in their member agreement.
Eligible Requirements
in order to be considered for the USAID International Youth Digital Leadership Council , applicant should meet the following requirements:
- Aged 16 to 24 years as of January 1, 2023;
- Have promoted or engaged in digital literacy, prevention of digital harm, or similar issues at a local, national, or international level;
- Have a good understanding of digital harm and how youth are accessing digital platforms and the internet in their region;
- Have a strong peer network and social media presence and can reach large numbers of young followers in their region;
- Have a proven ability to inspire and a reputation for inclusive, innovative leadership;
- Have working ability in English (both written and spoken);
- Are from a low- and middle-income country and/or very well acquainted with low- and middle-income country contexts and digital harm issues;
- Are able to engage 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-time $300 stipend to be paid upon the start of their membership to defray internet costs for Council meetings. Council members will also receive a $700 honorarium to be paid upon the successful completion of their membership. Members must document their time to receive the honorarium. The reporting format and guidance will be provided by YP2LE.
How to Apply | USAID International Youth Digital Leadership Council
Interested candidates for the USAID International Youth Digital Leadership Council should submit their completed applications using the online application form here
Application Deadline: December 15, 2022