Call For Consultant: Develop A Draft National Youth Agenda

The Nigerian Youth Employment Action Plan 2021-24 of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development published in August 2021, confirms that unemployment rates are increasing and that as of the year 2020, youth unemployment in Nigeria stood at only 35% of the country’s population. This shows that the youth lack adequate attention to contribute to the country's growth. The Nigerian National Youth Policy, though having been reviewed last in 2019, still has gaps which need to be addressed to ensure that the basic needs of its youth are met, most importantly their inclusion and participation in governance, education, health, and entrepreneurship amongst others. On the other hand, Young Nigerians have continued to demonstrate resilience and tenacity. Through the #NotTooYoungToRun, the #EndSars and similar campaigns. They have also demonstrated the ability to mobilise for change and demand good governance. But there is still a long way to go as Nigeria ranks high on the equality gap. Women and youth inclusion is still a far cry in a country where youth and women are leading change across sectors of the economy. It is therefore very important for the youths, Youth-focused organisations and all other stakeholders to consider ways to ensure youth opinions, ideas, and thoughts are gathered and made to have inclusive and sustainable development to harness the demographic dividends in Nigeria. 

In the lead-up to the 2023 general elections, Youth-Hub Africa seeks to develop a National Youth Policy Agenda based on the direction provided in the National Youth Policy; NDI facilitated state youth agendas and other similar documents. This youth agenda will be merged/consolidated with women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) agendas developed by other coalitions supported by NDI into a unified agenda for marginalised groups. The unified agenda will be presented for the adoption of candidates running for the offices of president, National Assembly, governor and state Houses of Assembly within Nigeria’s top three political parties. The expectation is that once these candidates adopt the unified agenda, these groups, which constitute an overwhelming majority of Nigerians, can hold those elected accountable for its implementation when they take office.

Scope of Work:
This consultancy will focus on:

• Meet with the National Youth Agenda teams of Youth-Hub Africa and NDI to discuss the scope of work, the deliverables and the expertise of the consultant;
• Conduct a desk review of youth-related policies available such as the African Youth Charter 2063, National Youth Manifesto 2011, National Youth Agenda 2021; National youth Policy 2019; Alternative Youth Agenda 2021 et al, highlighting the gaps in the existing policies as well as their implementation with clear recommendations on how to improve the political and socio-economic wellbeing of youth. 
• Develop questionnaires and Conduct a survey on issues affecting young people and their perception towards it and which of those issues should be on the forefront of discussion in the runup towards the 2023 elections. This will also feed into the final document that will be created.
• Hold Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with the President of the National Youth Council of Nigerian (NYCN). Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), President of Student Union Governments of at least two universities each in northern and southern Nigeria, leaders from significant youth CSOs like Yiaga Africa, Connected Development (Code) and youth professionals like parliamentarians, journalists, academics, and engineers. Also, speak with youth who are Okada riders, bus drivers, welders, electricians etc.
• Develop a draft National Youth Agenda from the processes above.
• Guide the lead consultant responsible for unifying/consolidating the youth, women and PWD policy agendas. Discuss the unified/consolidated agenda template, content etc, with the lead consultant to ensure the seamless process.

Key Deliverables:

• A detailed and comprehensive desk review of all youth-related policies, highlighting the existing gaps and recommendations as well as in their implementation in Nigeria.
• Surveying with over 8,000 young Nigerian respondents to compliment no 1 and
• Develop a National Youth Agenda using 1 and 2

Duration and Working Schedule:
1 Month

Qualification:

• At least seven years of experience in youth policy development and youth governance, strategic planning, and analysis of the youth sector.
• Proven policy and advisory experience and track record of research and/or project management concerning youth engagement and empowerment
• Previous experience in the youth sector in Nigeria;
• Proven experience in innovation and agile approach to research and consultations, conducting online mapping exercises, surveys, interviews, focus group discussions or consultations with governments and civil society actors:
• Experience working with international organisations is an advantage

Deadline:
25th of August 2022.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should send a CV (No longer than three pages) and a cover letter to apply@youthhubafrica.org using 'Consultancy: National Youth Agenda Desk Review ' as the subject.