UNESCO O3 Young Change Makers Entry, 2025

Are you a young advocate between the ages of 18 and 25, interested in raising awareness on key issues that young people face? Here is an opportunity for you!

Background

Position* title: O3 Young Change Makers 
Location: Eswatini, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe 

Duration: July 2025 – July 2026 

* Please note that the UNESCO Young Change Makers position is not a job with remuneration but rather it is a voluntary position.   

It is often assumed that students in tertiary levels of education, have already received knowledge and education that equips them to avoid adverse health outcomes as they transition from childhood to adulthood, however, evidence has shown that this is often not true. As young people in higher and tertiary education institutes continue to be exposed to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)-related concerns and risks such as unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, and gender-based violence (GBV), the Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future O3 Plus project aims to bridge this gap by focusing on these education institutions. By addressing the specific needs of students at this level, the project aims to improve their knowledge, access to services, and overall well-being.  

UNESCO strongly believes in the power of education to transform the lives of young people, while recognizing that inclusive and transformative education cannot be achieved if students are not safe, well-nourished, healthy, and free from violence and discrimination. 

As such, UNESCO is seeking inspiring young candidates to help infuse transformation in the way we work, bringing in youth creativity to reach more young people in the region. In a region where young people make up a significant percentage of the population, UNESCO recognizes that investing in young people can help in reaching other young people. As such, UNESCO is looking for Young Change Makers who can work with us to raise awareness on pertinent issues that young people face in society, while advocating for meaningful change so every young person can learn and thrive in a safe and inclusive environment. 

Scope of work

• Engage youth in conversations about advancement of sexual and reproductive health rights, including reproductive health services, ending gender-based violence and other forms of violence and discrimination within learning spaces. 
• Advocate for access to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)
• Foster youth leadership and empowerment through the Programmes
• Increase engagement and mobilization for the O3 Plus Mobile Application 

Key responsibilities of the Young Change Makers

1. Be an advocate for key young issues that young people face (i.e. sexual and reproductive health rights, including reproductive health services, ending gender-based violence and other forms of violence and discrimination within learning spaces)
2. Participate in select UNESCO-facilitated capacity development training sessions regionally and at country level on comprehensive sexuality education, gender equality and social inclusion, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence, and other issues that affect youth. 
3. Engage with the assigned mentor on a monthly basis to identify upcoming priorities. 
4. Under the direction of the mentor, engage in O3 activities, where relevant.
5. Produce and disseminate atleast one social media video per month related to the areas of sexual and reproductive health rights, including reproductive health services, ending gender-based violence and other forms of violence and discrimination within learning spaces.  

UNESCO will provide the following support to the selected Young Change Makers

1. Hands-on training on sexual reproductive health and rights, Comprehensive Sexuality Education, and gender equality, including ending gender-based violence. 
2. Through a mentor-mentee initiative, the Youth Change Makers will have an opportunity to be coached, get advice, and learn from UNESCO staff. 
3. First-hand experience volunteering with a UN agency.
4. All Young Leaders will be given a certificate of participation. 
5. A travel stipend will be provided, whenever relevant. 

Qualifications and requirements

1. A national of one of the countries listed above, aged between 18 and 25 years old at the time of application. Preferably a second-year student in university. 
2. Good track record volunteering with any CSO or NGO. Affiliation or membership will be an added advantage.
3. Good English public communication skills. The ability to speak in your home-country language will be an asset.
4. A strong social media presence with public active profiles on major social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, X (Twitter), Facebook with atleast 5000+ followers when combined. Please share links to accounts.
5. Knowledge and proactive demonstration of interest in the field of youth advocacy, promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights and youth leadership, and ending gender-based violence are strongly required. Examples of demonstration of interest would include but are not limited to active social media activities related to these mandate areas, the experience of being a spokesperson, participation in a media campaign, educational background / work experience in a relevant field.
6. Strong passion and drive to deeply engage with other young people. 
7. Willingness to commit, participate in events, calls, and communications, and be available to participate in advocacy events. 

Coordination mechanism

1. Each Young Change Maker will be paired with a UNESCO mentor from the same country of residence.
2. An online/physical onboarding workshop will be held with all the Young Change Makers.
3. Quarterly meetings will be held online with all Young Change Makers.
4. Ad-hoc meetings, workshops and other engagements will be scheduled in advance. 
5. Regular virtual communication, mainly through email, online meetings, and WhatsApp shall be undertaken for coordination, preparation, and advocacy related work. 

How to apply

Please send the below documents in English via email to z.monta@unesco.org by 25 July 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.  

1. CV (one page maximum) – please make sure to include links to your public social media accounts 
2. One to two minutes video stating motivation to apply to be a Young Change Maker (Please provide a valid private/unlisted link to the video. The video must not be made public). 
3. Contact information (working phone number and email address) and affiliate association, organization, business, or occupation of minimum two referees who are not related to you, who are familiar with your character and qualifications, and who may be contacted for a reference.