Youth Advisory Committee –  Accelerating Change Through InnoVation in Agricultural TVET (ACTIVATE) – Ghana

 BACKGROUND

The World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is one of Canada’s leading non-profit international development organizations, committed to building a more equitable and sustainable world. Our vision is a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world for youth. It is a world in which all young people, especially women and refugees, are empowered to secure a good quality of life for themselves, their families, and their communities. We work with a diverse network of students, volunteers, institutions, governments, and businesses to improve education, economic, and empowerment opportunities for youth, and to improve the lives of millions of disadvantaged people around the world.

 Accelerating Change Through InnoVation in Agricultural TVET (ACTIVATE) 

With extensive experience in the agriculture and TVET sectors in Ghana, WUSC, as the lead partner will work in close collaboration with two key partners, Social Enterprise Ghana (SEG) and CERATH Development Organization (CDO), as well as other sub implementing partners in the TVET, Agriculture and Adjacent ecosystem.

The Accelerating Change Through InnoVation in Agricultural TVET (ACTIVATE) program is a 5-year project in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, which aims to improve the well-being and resilience of young women and men by strengthening an industry-led demand-driven Agriculture Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) system nationwide in Ghana. It blends education and skills training while building collaboration and linkages among key stakeholders such as public and private actors, academia, and agriculture value chain actors. Over the course of five years, this program will respond to key challenges facing the Agriculture and Adjacent sectors (defined as sectors  that are directly or indirectly aligned with agriculture such as ICT and logistics)  including: 

• Low quality of ATVET instruction, curriculum and equipment/infrastructure; 
• Non-alignment of new TVET policies and reforms across ministries; 
• Lack of ATVET engagement with industry to understand their human resource needs; 
• Poor business skills among young people and insufficient entrepreneurship support to the diverse needs of agripreneurs;
• Insufficient management capacity of ATVET providers, regulators and support organizations 

The project will reduce gender specific barriers, elevate the voice and aspirations of youth and integrate a strong inclusivity lens, with respect to gender and disability.

The project’s ultimate goal is “Improvement in well-being and resilience of young women and men as a result of strengthened ATVET Systems, quality education and industry relevant skills training in agriculture and adjacent sectors”. 

The project will have a total reach of over 80,340 individuals out of which 79,360 will be youth aged 15 to 35 years old with 85% youth in work and 70% young women. As well as stronger and resilient ATVET Institutions, changes in practices of ATVET organisations, improved coordination, and confident youth with enhanced skills are expected results.

THE YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Participation of youth will be paramount to the ACTIVATE Program, to ensure their voices, perspectives and aspirations are elevated and integrated into all program areas. To achieve this, there will be a Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) made up of 16 young women and men representing each of the 16 regions of Ghana to ensure that youth perspectives and priorities are reflected, help identify connections with other initiatives and programs in ATVET, support the design and participate in the program and amplify and champion the ACTIVATE Program.

In order to meet the objectives of the Mastercard Foundation and ensure that ACTIVATE activities are designed and delivered to meet the needs of young people, a YAC composed of individuals with varied experiences in Agriculture, ATVET, Gender Equality, Disability among others is needed to advise and provide guidance to WUSC, Mastercard Foundation, and  program implementing partners.  

The YAC will provide guidance on three key areas of focus:

• Inclusion in Education and Skills Training
• Improved access to economic opportunities in Agriculture value chains
• Strengthen ATVET Institutions and Ecosystems 

Purpose and Key Functions:

The purpose of the YAC is to ensure the inclusion of  the  perspectives, experiences, needs, aspirations and guidance of young people, and host community members in the design, development, delivery and evaluation of activities undertaken by the ACTIVATE Project.  The roles of the Advisory Committee will include: 

• Provide overall strategic guidance to ensure alignment of projects with youth needs, objectives and expected outcomes of the ACTIVATE program as they relate to the inclusion of young people, young women and young people with disabilities;
• Provide advice and feedback regarding the design and delivery of initiatives and broader systems change to ensure that they are informed by and reflect the perspectives and experiences of young people;
• Provide recommendations on the content and delivery of trainings and workshops;
• Attending events and participating as guest speakers/facilitators on occasion; and
• Support  the dissemination of information and building linkages and opportunities with other existing networks of youth within the ATVET ecosystem.

YAC members can expect:

• To be provided with complete, accurate and meaningful information in a timely manner;
• To be given reasonable time to make key decisions; and
• Open and honest discussions and feedback;
• Commitment to reflecting feedback in the design and delivery of initiatives (within the limitations of project scope); and 
• Opportunities for professional development in identified areas of interest in the project.

Composition:

• Membership of the YAC will be determined through an open and transparent process
• Selection will be done by WUSC according to the qualifications and background of the nominees. 
• The YAC will be composed of up to 16 people representing each region with diverse perspectives and backgrounds, and ensure that young women (at least 50%) and persons with disabilities are represented within the Committee.  Considerations will include but not be limited to:
  • Gender 
  • Geographic location
  • Area of expertise
• Youth appointed to the YAC shall meet the following essential criteria:
  • Possess experience in Agriculture and or adjacent sectors; 
  • Currently enrolled or Graduate from an ATVET program in Ghana (desired)
  • Variously employed or self-employed along the agricultural value chain in Ghana
  • Be between the ages of 18 – 35 
  • Be able to demonstrate relevant experience or knowledge, abilities and skills related to the mandate of the Committee
  • A clear track record of personal and professional conduct. 

Administration:

• WUSC will be responsible for convening the Advisory Team and will work with team members to facilitate participatory processes with Team members 
• The Advisory Team will function under the WUSC ACTIVATE Director, and will advise the Mastercard Foundation and its partners on the 3 key areas of focus mentioned above. 
• WUSC will be responsible for preparing an agenda and taking minutes of each meeting. Advisory Team members will be invited to recommend agenda items prior to each convening.
• All documents pertaining to the Advisory Team will be kept in a shareable space for each member to access when needed.
• Team members will be trained on and expected to uphold WUSC’s Code of Conduct 
• WUSC and Mastercard Foundation can decide to dissolve the Team or remove a member and reappoint members as required.

TERM AND COMMITMENT

• Each membership term will be for a period of 2 years and may be renewed for the duration of the program (5 years) on mutual agreement.
• The YAC will be asked to participate in a minimum of two regular meetings per year (one in person).   
• YAC members may be asked to review publications and other documents developed throughout the project and to participate in additional working sessions of the Program throughout the year
• The time commitment will vary by committee member but in general, the Advisory Committee Members will be asked to contribute an average of 5 hours per month, depending on the activities and events planned. 

Remuneration and Costs:

• Membership is on a voluntary basis; 
• In recognition of their contributions to the project’s strategy, work plans, and research, policy and communications products and convenings, members will receive a small honorarium of 1000 USD annually;
• Expenses related to participation in meetings and/or project activities, such as travel and accommodations will be reimbursed; and
• Members will be provided with professional development opportunities during their term.

Key Competencies:

• Ability to offer critical, constructive advice and feedback
• Capacity to work in a team context
• Passion for giving back to their  communities
• Commitment to youth leadership
• Demonstrated leadership in their communities

Applications:

WUSC is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Reasonable Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit their CVs and register their interest at https://forms.gle/B12VaXgfX45ythJT8

by the deadline of 9th May 2024 at the close of the day by 11:59 pm (GMT).