Position Title: Youth Engagement Associate
Number of positions: one
Reference: ICPAC-YEA
Organizational Unit: IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC)
Duty station: Nairobi with frequent travel in the IGAD region
Duration: One-year contract, including a three-month probation period, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds
Deadline for Applications: 10th December 2025
- BACKGROUND
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is a regional economic community that forms one of the building blocks of the African Union. It works to strengthen regional cooperation and integration, supporting its eight member states – Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda – in their pursuit of peace, security and prosperity.
The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) is one of the specialized institutions of IGAD mandated to provide climate information services in support of sustainable development in the region. Key functions of ICPAC include climate monitoring, prediction, sectoral applications, disaster risk reduction, climate change and capacity building. The Centre caters its services for the eight IGAD member countries in addition to three non-IGAD member countries – Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania. ICPAC generates several knowledge and information products including 10 days, monthly and seasonal climate monitoring and prediction bulletins, climate watches, technical reports and data sets. In addition to monitoring products, the institution also provides forecasting information on weekly, monthly and seasonal timescales for different climate sensitive sectors such as Agriculture, Food Security, Health, Water, Energy and Conflict.
In recent decades, the region has seen a rise in the frequency and severity of climate extremes, including droughts and floods, that threaten agricultural productivity, water availability, and overall socio-economic stability, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. At the same time, a rapidly growing youth population, the majority of whom are unemployed, presents a pressing demographic challenge. If left unaddressed, this poses a significant risk to social cohesion and economic development.
The convergence of climate vulnerability and youth unemployment necessitates a holistic and integrated approach that both strengthens climate resilience and expands economic opportunities for young people, while empowering them as agents of change in climate and agri-food systems. Despite their potential to drive innovative climate solutions, many youths continue to face significant barriers, including limited access to climate services, skills training, and green job opportunities.
ICPAC seeks to address these challenges by equipping the youth in the region with knowledge, skills and opportunities to drive climate action, while recognizing that investing in youth-driven climate solutions is not just as necessity but also an opportunity to harness innovation, drive sustainable economic growth, and creates a more climate-resilient region.
About AGRA- ICPAC project
ICPAC with a grant from Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is implementing a 2-years and eight months project entitled, “Enhancing the Preparedness of African Countries/Regions for Climate Change Solution Planning and Implementation Capacity” which aims to enhance resilience and climate adaptation of agrifood systems in Africa through capacity building, youth and women empowerment and delivery of effective climate services. The geographic coverage of the project include AGRA and ICPAC focused countries.
The specific objectives of the project are:
Objective 1: To enhance youth engagement in the climate services value chain
Objective 2: To advance climate change action in Africa by providing technical support for NAPs and NDC updating and implementation
Objective 3: To strengthen collaboration among African Regional Climate Centers for improved quality of climate services in the continent
In this context, ICPAC seeks to recruit a qualified Youth Engagement Associate to design, implement and coordinate initiatives that support the youth to drive climate action through climate-resilient agri-food systems, green job creation and advocacy under the AGRA-ICPAC project.
- DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Youth Engagement Associate will support the planning, coordination, and implementation of youth-focused activities of the project. The role requires working closely with youth groups, partners, and stakeholders to ensure meaningful youth participation and effective project delivery including AGRA-ICPAC project team and various departments of ICPAC and IGAD especially with the communication and gender teams. She/He will work with youth organizations, young people and supporters of youth working in Africa in general and the project focus countries in particular.
The Youth Engagement will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Map youth-led climate-focused organisations, innovation hubs, cooperatives, associations, networks and groups across select countries
- Collaborate with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to co-produce tailored climate services and deliver them to youth in the agri-food systems value chain
- Train youth farmers in the Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) approach
- Foster partnerships with existing agricultural extension systems to expand young farmers access to advisory services
- Facilitate consultation forums with youth and youth groups to capture their priorities and challenges, and advocate for their perspectives to be considered in climate-related decisions
- Build youth capacity through training in a range of topics including climate adaptation, climate justice, advocacy and effective communication strategies
- Organise interactive sessions with experts, agri-preneurs, and private sector actors on climate services, green jobs and innovation
- Support the design and launch of youth-led digital tools that can facilitate the delivery of localised and user-friendly climate services
- Explore partnerships with private sector actors, such as climate-tech firms, to support and scale youth-led initiatives
- Facilitate youth participation in national, regional and international climate and agri-food systems forums
- Capture, document and disseminate best practices and lesson learnt from youth engagement to foster peer learning, scale successful models, and inform policy.
- Report progress to internal and external stakeholders via meetings, written reports and presentations
- Prepare and contribute to reports, including progress reports and final reports in consultation with AGRA-ICPAC project team and relevant ICPAC departments for soliciting report content.
- Support implementation of overall project activities
- Participate in organizing project activities (gatherings, workshops, trainings, etc.) and support implementing team as needed
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with relevant youth organizations across Africa, universities, and local communities to foster collaboration and engagement
- Work with African youth to amplify their voices and ensure they are represented in speaking opportunities
- Track the success and impact of youth engagement programs through regular assessments and feedback mechanisms
- Create reports to inform project objectives and implementation of initiatives
- Facilitate young people to build their skills and confidence so that young people’s participation and contribution are maximised and that they are able to express their views
- Work closely and effectively with AGRA-ICPAC project team to achieve the aims and objectives of the project
- REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Academic Qualification
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Climate Change, Agriculture, Community Development, Social Sciences, Gender studies, or Communications.
- A Master’s level study in the aforementioned field of studies will be considered an added advantage.
Professional Work Experience
- At least three (3) years of progressive experience in youth engagement, climate change, agriculture and agrifood systems, and| or development projects.
- Strong understanding and practical experience in the climate services value chain, including co-production of climate information, tailoring services to user needs, and supporting dissemination through extension systems, digital platforms, or other delivery channels.
- Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering training programs, capacity-building initiatives or participatory approaches for youth groups, farmer associations or cooperatives, with a focus on climate solutions such as climate-smart agriculture.
- Experience managing partnerships with various stakeholders, including government institutions, community-based groups and private sector actors.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate diverse perspectives into evidence-based insights that can inform decision making.
- Practical experience with digital tools, including online engagement platforms, mobile applications, as well as social media for outreach.
- Knowledge of financial inclusion mechanisms such as microfinance, agricultural banking, insurance, or climate finance, is an added advantage.
- Experience working with youth in multiple projects.
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse actors and maintain strong relationships with youth organizations across Africa in general and in Eastern Africa in particular
- Strong project management skills, including in planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting.
- Ability to understand and communicate the needs of young people to a range of stakeholders
- Excellent communication skills (oral, written, and digital), with the ability to develop training materials, youth-friendly knowledge products, and policy briefs
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with proven ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
- Good planning and organizational skills.
- Strong report writing abilities
- Computer skills: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Proficiency in English is required. Knowledge of French is an added advantage.
- Experience in the IGAD region is highly desirable.
- LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the French language is an added advantage.
- REPORTING
The selected candidate will be under the overall supervision of the Director of ICPAC, with technical reporting to the Coordinator of the IGAD Food Security, Nutrition and Resilience Analysis Hub (IFRAH) and the project manager.
- LOCATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The duty station is at ICPAC Office in Kenya, Nairobi.
- HOW TO APPLY
Qualified applicants from IGAD Member States are eligible to apply.
Interested candidates should send their applications in PDF accompanied by cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, academic credentials, copy of passports/ ID cards biometric page and three reference persons including the last employer.
Applications should be sent by E-mail to the following addresses: recruitment@igad.int with subject line “ICPAC-YEA”.
Closing date for application will be on 10th December 2025. Due to the large number of applications, we expect to receive; only successful candidates who meet the required experience & qualifications for this position will be contacted. Contact: + 25321354050
IGAD is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Download attached the ToR Document in PDF below
Vacancy Announcement – Youth Engagement Associate
