INTRODUCTION

Established in 2010, the African Union Youth Volunteer Corps (AU YVC) is a premier continental youth leadership initiative that recruits, develops, and places young African professionals from all 55 AU Member States to work as professionals volunteers for a year.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Candidates must posses these criteria;

1. Citizen of an AU Member State living on the continent or in the Diaspora.
2. Aged 18 – 35 years (must be under the age of 35 upon completing 12 months service)
3. Have a post-secondary certified qualification(s) (TVET, Bachelor’s, Master’s etc.)
4. Available in 2023/24 to dedicate 12 (twelve) months for professional volunteer service.
5. Willing to live and work in another AU Member State.
6. Is proficient in at least one AU working language (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Swahili , Spanish).
7. Has at least one-year verifiable volunteering experience and one-year professional work
experience.

Do you have these skills?

Proficient computer skills (MS Word, Excel and Power Point)
•    Proficiency with e-mail and internet applications,
•    Good interpersonal skills
•    Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
•    Proficiency in one of the AU officials working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish, Kiswahili) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage

You want to apply? follow this process;

1. Visit the AU careers website; careers.au.int, click on the AUYVC post.
i.    If you are a registered user, log in
ii.   If you are not a registered user, create an account
2. Fill out your personal information and complete the application form
3. Attach the following documents:
i. Your updated professional CV (no longer than 3 pages)
ii. Bio page of your passport or national ID
iii. Certificate copy of your highest completed qualification (transcripts are not acceptable)
iv. Attach a letter of recommendation (not older than 2 years) attesting to your
leadership qualities (in the manifesto folder)
4. Attach your cover letter. In your cover letter please respond to the following questions:
i. Why do you want to become an African Union Youth Volunteer?
ii. What makes you the best candidate for AUYVC?
iii. What skills are you bringing to the AUYVC and your host organization?
5. Review and submit your application before: Tuesday September 19, 2023 11h59 p.m. EAT.
Please note:
i. Incomplete and late applications will not be considered
ii. Only successful applicants will be contacted
iii. Providing incomplete or incorrect information is ground for immediate disqualification

More information and the applicaton form is provided in this link:

https://jobs.au.int/The%20African%20Union%20Commiss/job/Ethiopia-African-Union-Youth-Volunteer-Corps-%28AU-YVC%29/777053502/

UNA Tanzania collaborated with Policy Forumfor the  Breakfast Debate in August focusing on the theme, “Towards Sustainable Development: Reflecting on the 2023 Tanzania Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report. The debate was conducted at the British Council Auditorium in Dar es Salaam with the aim of sharing feedback to stakeholders on what transpired during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July, deep diving into what Tanzania as a country reported on the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Civil Society Organization’s engagement in the process ensuring no one is left behind.

Mr. Joseph Malekia from The National Planning Commission commenced by opening the debate with a presentation describing the entire VNR process to finally summarizing what was reported during the HLPF. He said that, “We are midway to 2030 and only 12% of the goals have been accomplished globally, this shows how much efforts is still required to achieve what we had set in 2015. For Tanzania it was confirmed during the forum that, there has been good progress in goals 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, and 16 and relatively moderate progress in goals 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 17”.

Mr. Joseph Malekia from the National Planning Commission in The Ministry of Planning and Investments under the Prsident’s Office

The presentation was followed by a panel discussion composed of Reynad Maeda; The Co-Convener of The Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform (TSDP) and Executive Director at UNA Tanzania, Stephen Chacha, Co-Convener of  The Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform, Nesia Mahenge, Country Director at CBM International in Tanzania as well as Mr. Joseph Malekia. The panelists shared their experience and lesson learnt from the High-Level Political Forum. During the forum UNA Tanzania together with other members of the TSDP conducted a side event which deliberated on leveraging partnerships to promote meaningful participation in advancing Agenda 2030 by those most at risk. Apart from that UNA Tanzania’s Executive Director was a speaker in several side events including; a side event organized by the governments of Finland and Tanzania with the theme , “Localizing the SDGs: Transformative partnerships to accelerate achievement of the Global Goals at local level”, a side event conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development to examine What happens after a community completes a Voluntary Local Review to measure local achievement of the SDGs. On top of that the Director spoke at a VNR Lab conducted by the German Council for Sustainable Development to  share from a stakeholders perspective, how Tanzania VNR process embraced the Whole of Government,  Whole of Society approach.

Panelists from left; Joseph Malekia, Nesia Mahenge, Stephen Chacha and Reynald Maeda

After the panel discussion, the attendees had a chance to explore the subject in a couple of groups before being given the opportunity to share their opinions. Key take aways from the debate include;

• Translating the SDGs into local contexts & local languages is key for the localization of the goals and ensuring the local community is fully on board.
• Realization of the SDGs in Tanzania should not only rely on charitable source of finance. We should focus on unlocking new innovative sources of finance for the SDGssuch as climate finance
• Media involvement in the SDGs is of the essence, to capacitate them to relate reported news with SDGsis crucial in stimulating its implementation.
• Young people have the power to act and mobilize others hence meaningful youth engagement in the implementation of the SDGs is

The Tanzania Youth Forum is an annual platform established in 2022 with the main objective of creating sustainable coordination mechanism between the government and youth through policy and legal frameworks that facilitate an enabling environment for youth inclusion and participation in pioneering the youth agenda in economic, social, political and leadership development sectors. This year UNA Tanzania was among the steering committee which included more than 32 CSOs. The 2023 forum took place on  the 3rd and 4th of  August at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre in Dodoma with the theme ‘Youth Participation in Leadership and Governance for Economic Development’, stressing on the significance of youths’ involvement in decision making and their economic growth. The 2023 forum mobilized more than 500 participants including government representatives, development partners, youth led/youth focused CSOs, inspirational youth leaders, youths in business, representatives from youth political wings, youths interested in international development issues and individual youth between the ages of 15 – 35 from all over Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar. UNA Tanzania moderated a panel discussion on the first day and led a break away session on the second day focusing on the topic ‘Youth Inclusion in Economic Opportunities’.

The panel discussion began with a key note address on Youth Participation in Inclusive Economy for Job Creation by Mr. John Ulanga, The Chief Executive Officer at The Tanzania Private Sector Foundation. He provided a brief overview of the job market and the critical skills required by the job market which included technology, emotional intelligence, data analysis, creativity, leadership and critical thinking skills. In his address Mr. Ulanga put much emphasis on the education system that fosters skills. He said,  “ we need to establish an education system that will focus on creating young people with skills, determination and self-confidence, not a system that puts higher value on obtaining ​​certificates without critical skills”.

Mr. John Ulanga presenting key note address as he opens the panel discussion

The panelists were from diverse areas each stipulating issues on youth inclusion in inclusive economy in their respective areas; Mr. Jeremia Mwambange from the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) highlighted youth economic empowerment policies. Mr. Aloyce Andrew from The Tanzania Commission of Science and Technology called attention to youth businesses & start-ups and Octavian Kimiro from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spotlighted youth and cross border trade (EAC, SADC & AcFTA).

On the second day of the forum UNA Tanzania led a breakaway session with over 170 youth with the aim of obtaining recommendations on how youth inclusion in economic opportunities can be enhanced.

Among other things youth recommended;

• Improved access of information on the available funds for youth economic development
• Reformation of the education curriculum to cater for entrepreneurship skills, digital skills and the 21st century skills required by the job market
• Less bureaucracy and realistic requirements in accessing finances to support youth initiatives
• Ensuring inclusivity for all youth subgroups without leaving behind those residing in villages.
• Access of finance should go hand in hand with training on entrepreneurship skills, financial literacy and business compliance.

One of the paricipants providing his recommendations during the breakaway session

Do you have an initiative that adresses the impacts of climate change and help communinities adopt to it?

If yes, the 2023 Local Adaptation Champions Awards offered by the Global Centre on Adapatation is totally for you.

The awards honor creative, innovative, and scaleable locally led initiatives to combat climate change and increase community resilience in at-risk areas. The awards are accessible to any person, group, or organization who has adopted or is currently implementing climate change adaptation and resilience interventions anywhere in the globe. The 2023 awards has 4 categories;

1. Capacity Building
2. Business adaptation solutions
3. Women in leadership
4. Innovation in devolving finance

UNA Tanzania led a discussion on “Empowering Tanzania’s Youth: Unleashing Potential and Fostering Sustainable Development” at The Breakfast Debate organised by UNA Tanzania in collaboration with Policy Forum in July  held at the British Council Auditorium in Dar es Salaam city center. The informal conversation over breakfast provided a space that promoted youth engagements and debate on what it takes to empower the youth of Tanzania to reach their full potential. The debate was one of the avenue UNA Tanzania uses to mobilizes stakeholders together to discuss what works for the youth of Tanzania so as to influence policy processes.

Lucas Kifyasi, The Head of Programs at UNA Tanzania introduced the topic with a focus on; Overview of the Tanzania Youth, Youth Priority, Belief and Aspiration, Barriers towards Unleashing Youth Potential and last but not least what should be done to unleash the potential of Tanzania youth for inclusive and sustainable development.

Lucas Kifyasi, Head of Programs at UNA Tanzania introducing the topic

The debate featured a panel discussion with the following speakers; Ocheck Msuva from Bridge for Change, Mr. Jeremiah Wandili from Wote Initiative for Development Empowerment (WIDE) and Ms. Happy Samuel who is the Youth Development Officer from Ilala District.  The speakers offered in depth assessment of the topic and their recommendations. Mr. Msuva emphasised that it is crucial for Tanzania to have well equipped entrepreneurship centres that will build youth with entrepreneurship skills and make them able to employ themselves. On the other hand Mr. Wandili stressed on the need to create enabling business environment for youth entrepreneurs, “Youth’s businesses are hit with high taxes and many licenses upon establishment which causes early demise. The goverment should learn how to tax youth businessesss in a way that enables youth to start their businesses and keep it running”, he said.

Panelists from left; Ocheck Msuva, Lucas Kifyasi, Happy Samuel and Jeremiah Wandili

Followed by the panel discussion, the participants had a chance to discuss the subject in small groups then the floor was opened for them to provide their two cents. Ms. Josephine Doglas from UNDP spoke about the need for systemic reform if at all full youth potential is to be unleashed. She said that, “Changing the education curriculum alone will not suffice, youth empowerement requires a systemic approach.The government should prioritise reforming the entire education system from the means of instructions, equipments to incentives offered to the teachers”.

Ms. Josephine Douglas from UNDP speaking during the open floor session.

Key take aways derived from the session include;

• Systemic change: Laws, Policies, Plans and their implementation needs a system change. young people in Tanzania crave an enabling environment across political, economic, technological, educational, cultural, and social spectrums to allow them to fit in the rapidly changing world
• Unleashing youth potential needs to go hand in hand with effective implementation of Development frameworks commitment in particular SDGs 4, 5, 8 16 in line FYDP III Objective no 8.
• Building productive capacity of youth, by creating empowerment initiatives, development opportunities and space for engagement is an end in itself, as well as a means to build a better young person to lead and change the community.