Apply here: https://www.civicus.org/index.php/get-involved/work-with-us/7147-terms-of-reference-youth-consultant
About CIVICUS
CIVICUS exists to defend people power. As a growing global alliance of over 15000 members in over 185 countries, we work together to monitor violations of basic civic freedoms, call out the perpetrators of violations and strengthen the power of people to organize by supporting a more accountable, effective, and innovative civil society. We strive to promote excluded voices, especially from the Global South.
About CIVICUS Youth
CIVICUS Youth is a committed and diverse community based in +150 countries, who collaborate, learn from each other, and strengthen youth action in civil society. Its goals are to:
- strengthen the networks and the power of young people to organise, mobilise and take action,
- to ensure civil society is accessible, inclusive and accountable to youth, especially those who are consistently excluded from decision-making spaces,
- foster safe and sustainable youth activism by promoting public dialogues on civil society restrictions, challenges and space for innovation.
About the Consultancy
The consultant/s will play a key role in shaping the future of youth engagement within CIVICUS by facilitating the design and development of our youth network and the Youth Action Team (YAT). The consultancy process will work to review, update, and plan new strategies of engagement to align with CIVICUS’ strategic vision, and consolidate the Youth Action Team guidelines, ways of working, and agenda.
Scope of work and Approach to consultancy
The consultancy will engage in a facilitation and consultative process with CIVICUS clusters and the Youth Action Team (YAT). By employing co-design principles, the consultant will collaborate closely with these groups to review and enhance youth engagement practices. This approach will involve online and in-person meetings to co-design strategies, strengthen governance, and improve communication. The consultant will ensure that all processes are inclusive and reflective of the needs and perspectives of youth members, culminating in the development of new guidelines and strategic initiatives for youth inclusion.
Deliverables
Expected number of days: 10-12
Delivery mode: Hybrid (combination of online sessions, with one face-to-face convening)
The key deliverables for this consultancy include:
- Review and analysis of internal and external youth engagement at CIVICUS
- Review and analysis of existing processes and mandate of the Youth Action Team (YAT)
- Facilitate consultative processes within CIVICUS clusters and active projects
- Facilitate co-design processes with the YAT to formulate clear guidelines of YAT structure, governance, communications, and operations
- Support development of a strategy to improve youth inclusion within CIVICUS’ projects and programmes
- Develop an engagement journey for CIVICUS youth members. This includes guidelines on how to strengthen communication with youth members
- Co-design and facilitate online and in-person meetings to develop and validate strategy development
- Support in the drafting of the new Terms of Reference for the YAT.
CIVICUS Secretariat role:
- Provide context, background, and direction to consultant/s
- Provide appropriate guidance and information on agreed deliverables
- Work with the consultant to convene an in-person meeting with the Youth Action Team
- Review deliverables stated above and any other agreed actions during the consultations and the YAT in-person meeting
Consultant Profile/Experience
- Experience in co-design and facilitation methodologies, focused on organisations and individuals working in challenging contexts
- In depth knowledge and understanding of the challenges facing young people, and civil society trends and issues more broadly
- Previous experience working with civil society networks
- Good knowledge on ways of working of youth networks and youth advisory structures
- Technical knowledge and expertise in organisational development
- Strong analytical and qualitative research skills
- Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation principles and practice
- Ability to communicate and meaningfully engage with diverse stakeholders
- Excellent writing skills, with the ability to be concise and clear without jargon
- Knowledge of additional languages, such as French and/or Arabic, is highly desirable
- Previous experience of completing a similar assignment is highly desirable
