Are you an African youth passionate about governance and policy? The Paid Youth Technical Experts Opportunity 2026 offers a chance to join a major project marking the 20th anniversary of the African Youth Charter. Organized by the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), YouLead Africa, and Restless Development, this program selects 20 young experts to assess youth inclusion across Africa. With a $1,000 stipend and remote work, it’s a paid role that lasts 3-4 months from May to August 2026.
Program Background
The African Youth Charter turns 20 in 2026, a key moment to check progress on youth empowerment in Africa. Youth make up over 75% of the continent’s population, so their role in governance, peace, and development matters a lot. This initiative, called “Technical Experts on Youth Governance and Development: Consultations and Policy Briefs on the African Youth Charter @20,” gathers input from young people.
Experts will review how African Union Member States, Regional Economic Communities, youth councils, civil society, and others put the Charter into action. Their work will feed into a big policy brief launched on Africa Youth Day and the APRM Africa Governance Report 2027, themed “Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity.”
Aim of the Role
Youth Technical Experts will run assessments on African Union frameworks like the African Youth Charter, Agenda 2063, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the Africa Governance Architecture Youth Engagement Strategy. They will check if institutions meet youth needs and create practical recommendations. This youth-led process highlights real experiences and best practices for better governance.
Main Objectives
The assessments cover several goals:
- Pull together results from youth consultations by APRM, YouLead Africa, and Restless Development.
- Study trends in governance and how frameworks boost youth involvement.
- Spot gaps and barriers to youth participation at all levels.
- Add recommendations to the policy brief.
- Share youth views in policy talks and the 2027 report.
- Help coordinate consultations tied to the anniversary events.
Thematic Areas to Cover
Experts pick from five focus areas to assess Charter implementation:
- Youth, Governance and Democratic Transformation: Look at political roles, elections, reforms, and online civic action.
- Peace, Security and Youth Agency: Check youth roles in peace structures, building peace, and handling conflicts.
- Economic Justice, Development and Employment: Examine jobs, the African Continental Free Trade Area, business starts, tech, finance, and gig work.
- Pan-Africanism, Identity and Youth Mobilisation: Review diaspora ties, cultural efforts, and Africa-centered learning.
- Policy and Institutional Responsiveness: Evaluate programs like the AU 1 Million Next Level Initiative, Agenda 2063 tracking, SDGs, and roles of AU bodies, regions, and countries.
Who Can Apply: Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, you must:
- Be 18 to 35 years old.
- Hold nationality from an African Union Member State.
- Work or volunteer in civil society, youth groups, youth-led orgs, schools, or local groups.
- Show interest in youth governance, policy, civic work, accountability, or growth.
- Commit to 3-4 months from May to August 2026.
- Speak and write English or French well. Portuguese, Arabic, or Swahili helps.
- Have some research, advocacy, engagement, or policy experience (nice to have; training offered).
What Makes a Strong Candidate
Organizers want people who:
- Get the challenges of different youth groups, including those often left out.
- Care about advocacy, governance, real youth input, and team efforts.
- Support inclusion, partner across ages, and represent overlooked youth.
- Match the Charter, Agenda 2063, and AU goals.
They welcome applications from young women, youth with disabilities, and those from rural or conflict areas.
Benefits and Incentives
Selected experts get:
- Official title as a Youth Technical Expert for the appraisal.
- A certificate.
- Training workshop on the Charter, AU frameworks, and methods.
- Mentorship and support during the project.
- Credit in the policy brief launch on International Youth Day.
- Chance to contribute to a policy book and the 2027 report.
- Network with leaders, experts, officials, researchers, and groups across Africa.
Time Commitment
Plan for 8 hours a week over 3-4 months (May-August 2026). Tasks include:
- Orientation and tool sessions in late May.
- Virtual consultations in May-June.
- Local or regional data gathering.
- Analysis and report drafting (due July 17).
- Policy launch on August 12.
Pay and Deliverables
You earn a $1,000 USD stipend total, plus funds for project costs. Payments link to work:
- 50% after the first draft report from online consultations (within 30 days of start).
- Full payment after final deliverables.
Key Dates
- Apply by: April 30, 2026 (12:00 SAST)
- Selections announced: May 7, 2026
- Training workshop: May 11, 2026
- Consultations: May to June 30, 2026
- Reports due: July 17, 2026
- Launch event: August 12, 2026
Selection Process
Shortlisted applicants face interviews and checks. Choices prioritize diversity, geography, gender balance, and inclusion. Everyone gets fair treatment.
How to Apply
Send these by email to [email protected] before April 30, 2026, at 12:00 SAST:
- Motivation letter (up to 500 words): Why you want this, your governance/Charter background, and your focus area/country/region.
- Bio (up to 150 words): Name, age, nationality, group (if any), contacts.
- CV.
- Scanned degrees or credentials.
Title your email: APRM/DP/YTE/IC/04/2026: CALL FOR YOUTH TECHNICAL EXPERTS TO APPRAISE THE AFRICAN YOUTH CHARTER @20
For details, check the full Terms of Reference PDF or APRM site. This Paid Youth Technical Experts Opportunity 2026 is remote with some local work, perfect for driven African youth ready to influence policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for the Youth Technical Experts role?
You must be 18-35 years old, from an African Union Member State, involved in civil society or youth groups, and able to commit 3-4 months from May to August 2026. English or French skills are required, and some experience in research or policy is a plus.
What is the pay and time commitment?
Experts receive a $1,000 USD stipend plus project funds, paid in stages based on deliverables. Plan for about 8 hours per week over 3-4 months.
When is the application deadline?
Applications are due by April 30, 2026, at 12:00 SAST. Selections are announced on May 7, 2026.
How do I apply?
Email your motivation letter, bio, CV, and credentials to [email protected] with the subject line ‘APRM/DP/YTE/IC/04/2026: CALL FOR YOUTH TECHNICAL EXPERTS TO APPRAISE THE AFRICAN YOUTH CHARTER @20’.