Youth Climate Action Champions (YouCAN Volunteers) at International Alert - 2 Openings

International Alert is one of the world's leading peacebuilding  organisations, with over 30 years of experience supporting communities,  advising governments, organisations and companies on how to build  peace. Alert works with people in conflict-affected and threatened areas  to make a positive difference for peace; to improve the substance and  implementation of international policies relevant to peacebuilding; and to  strengthen the peacebuilding sector.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Youth Climate Action Champion (YouCAN Volunteer)

Locations: Benue & Sokoto
Employment Type: Volunteer

Introduction

• Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, with profound implications for the environment, economies, and societies. Nigeria, with over 60% of its population under the age of 25, has one of the largest youth populations in the world.
• This demographic presents a unique opportunity to drive climate action and foster sustainable development.
• The "Youth Climate Action Champions (YouCAN)" project aims to mobilise and empower Nigerian youth to become active participants in climate action, fostering a generation of informed and engaged environmental stewards.
• This initiative is part of the International Alert’s Powering Peace through Climate Action (PPCA) project, which seeks to use climate adaptation to unite divided and marginalised communities.

Objective

• The primary objective of the YouCAN project is to engage and empower young Nigerians to take meaningful action on climate change through volunteerism, education, and community outreach.
• This initiative seeks to build a network of youth advocates who can influence policy, educate peers, and implement sustainable practices within their communities.

Goals
The goals of the YouCAN are to:

• Raise awareness by educating Nigerians about the impacts of climate change and the importance of sustainable practices.
• Provide training and resources to equip youth with the skills needed to advocate for and implement climate action initiatives.
• Develop leadership qualities among youth to drive local and global climate initiatives.
• Encourage collaboration between youth, communities, and stakeholders to amplify the impact of climate actions.
• Support youth-led projects that address local climate challenges and promote sustainability.

Activities
The expected activities to be implemented for the initial stage are to:

• Organise educational workshops and training sessions on climate science, sustainability practices, and advocacy techniques.
• Engage in community outreach activities to raise awareness about climate change and promote sustainable living.
• Establish volunteer programs where youth can participate in environmental conservation projects, such as tree planting, clean-up drives, and recycling campaigns in different campuses.
• Support youth in developing and leading advocacy campaigns to influence policy and public opinion on climate issues.
• Host networking events and forums to connect youth with environmental experts, policymakers, and like-minded peers.
• Provide mentorship opportunities by pairing young volunteers with experienced environmental advocates and professionals.

Expected Outcomes
The expected outcomes of the activities of the climate champions include:

• A heightened awareness among Nigerian youth about climate change and environmental sustainability.
• Improved skills and knowledge in climate advocacy, project management, and community engagement among participants.
• Emergence of a cadre of young leaders who are proactive in addressing climate challenges.
• Tangible improvements in local environments through youth-led sustainability projects.
• Greater involvement of youth in climate policy discussions and decision-making processes.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• To ensure the effectiveness of the YouCAN project, a robust monitoring and evaluation framework will be established. Key performance indicators (KPIs) will include the number of youths engaged, the number of workshops and outreach activities conducted, the impact of volunteer projects, and feedback from participants and community members.
• Regular assessments will be conducted to measure progress and identify areas for improvement.

Partnerships and Support:

• The success of this initiative will rely on partnerships with schools, universities, environmental organisations, government agencies, and private sector entities.
• Collaborative efforts will provide the necessary resources, expertise, and platforms to amplify the impact of youth-led climate actions.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Entry Guidelines

• Create a 1- 3 minute creative and innovative video of yourself (not more than 100mb) highlighting the impact of climate change in your state and the role you play in addressing it.
• Share your content on your Facebook and X (formerly twitter) handle using #Alert4ClimateAction , #YouCAN , #IAlertNigeria.
• Follow International Alert Nigeria on Facebook and X and tag both handles in your post.
• Invite friends to like, comment and follow International Alert Nigeria to increase your chances.
• Submit your entry by filling the form correctly 
• Participants must be aged 18 - 25.
• Participants must be students of any tertiary institution.
• Candidates should be indigenes or residents of Benue or Sokoto state, Nigeria (evidence would be required)
• Multiple entries are not allowed. Acceptance is on a rolling basis and will be closed once the maximum capacity is reached.