African Union Commission Chairperson’s Youth Envoy 2026 (Full-Time Leadership Position)

Applications are now open for the position of African Union Commission Chairperson’s Youth Envoy (AUCYE) 2026. The African Union Commission is seeking an exceptional young African leader to serve as the 3rd Chairperson’s Youth Envoy, representing and advocating for the interests of young people across the continent.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Youth Envoy will work closely with the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD) to promote youth participation, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that young people’s voices are reflected in African Union policies and programmes.

Position Overview

• Organization: African Union Commission
• Position: Chairperson’s Youth Envoy (AUCYE)
• Location: Addis Ababa
• Department: Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD)
• Job Grade: P3
• Employment Type: Fixed-Term Contract
• Age Requirement: 18–35 years
• Application Deadline: 9 July 2026

Salary and Benefits

Selected candidates will receive:

• Annual salary of US$96,921.34 (internationally recruited staff)
• Annual salary of US$78,461.08 (locally recruited staff)
• Opportunity to work directly with African Union leadership
• Continental and international representation opportunities
• Professional leadership and policy experience
• Extensive networking with governments, development partners, and youth organizations across Africa.

Key Responsibilities

The Youth Envoy will:

• Champion African Union youth policies and initiatives.
• Promote implementation of the African Youth Charter and the 1 Million Next Level Initiative (1mNL).
• Represent African youth in AU policy and decision-making processes.
• Advocate for youth participation, inclusion, and leadership.
• Strengthen partnerships with governments, youth networks, civil society, and international organizations.
• Lead awareness campaigns on youth development and empowerment.
• Facilitate dialogue between African youth and AU leadership.
• Support youth participation in continental forums and AU events.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be 18–35 years old during the appointment.
• Hold a Master’s degree with at least 7 years of relevant experience, or
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Have at least 3 years of experience at an expert or senior level.
• Demonstrate strong leadership in youth development, advocacy, or public policy.
• Have experience engaging with governments, civil society, international organizations, or youth networks.
• Be proficient in at least one African Union working language (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, or Spanish). Knowledge of an additional AU language is an advantage.

Preferred Fields of Study

Candidates with degrees in the following areas are encouraged to apply:

• Development Studies
• Public Policy
• Political Science
• International Relations
• Information Technology
• Governance
• Social Sciences
• Related disciplines

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

• African Union CV Template (mandatory)
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages)
• Passport or National ID
• Academic certificates and transcripts
• Contact details of three professional referees
• Supporting certificates relevant to the position.

Selection Criteria

The African Union will assess candidates based on:

• Leadership and management experience
• Youth advocacy and mobilization
• Policy and governance expertise
• Strategic communication skills
• Multi-stakeholder engagement
• Innovation and problem-solving ability
• Commitment to Agenda 2063 and youth empowerment.

Why Apply?

This prestigious leadership role offers an opportunity to shape Africa’s youth agenda at the continental level. The selected Youth Envoy will influence policies, represent millions of young Africans, collaborate with high-level decision-makers, and contribute to the implementation of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. It is one of the African Union’s most influential youth leadership positions.