Plan Somalia/Somaliland Youth Advisory Panel- Volunteer

Plan International strives to advance children’s rights and equality for girls all over the world. As an independent development and humanitarian organization, we work alongside children, young people, our supporters and partners to tackle the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. For over 85 years, we have been building powerful partnerships for children, and we are active in over 87 countries.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels using our reach, experience, and knowledge.

Plan International works together with girls, children and youth in order to enable their active involvement in decision-making which affects them. “No decisions about her without her” needs to be a core value in our DNA. This contributes to our effectiveness and impact, as well being making us accountable to those we serve. It is also at the heart of our brand. Unless we ‘walk the talk’ by engaging girls, boys and youth in decision making, in ways which are meaningful, inclusive and not tokenistic, there is a reputational risk to the brand. 

All children and young people have the right to freely speak out and influence the decisions that shape the world around them. Girls and young women in particular are held back by gender inequalities and oppression that prevent them from being full citizens and leaders. The patriarchal norms and structural barriers at the root of these injustices must be dismantled so that all children and young people can realize their civil and political rights and have their voices count as active drivers of change.

Plan International Somalia/Somaliland is part of the global federation of Plan International and was registered in Somalia/Somaliland in 2020 and has started programmes with strategy that centres youth, protection and prioritizes programs aimed at preventing violence, enhancing inclusive, quality education, and strengthening resilience to climate change and disasters, particularly focusing on children, adolescents, and youth, with a special emphasis on addressing disproportionate gendered impact on girls and young women.

By creating a Youth Advisory Panel, Plan International Somalia/Somaliland is committed to genuinely engaging young people in our governance. This allows their insights to directly inform our leadership and decisions, ultimately strengthening our accountability to girls, boys, and youth.

1.2. ABOUT YAP:

YOUTH ADVISORY PANEL (YAP): Although global definitions vary, a Youth Advisory Panel is a group of young people working as volunteers for a Country Office (CO) or Programme Area (PA) office to provide a youth perspective to Plan’s work. The groups are engaged in various activities such as advocacy, campaigning, advising, monitoring and evaluation.

To foster robust youth engagement across all levels and specifically, to leverage youth perspectives within the Country's Strategy, influencing strategies and initiatives, the following areas will be further strengthened:

• Pathways to Partnering and working with Youth-led Organizations, Groups & Youth Activists
• Campaigning and Youth Influencing 

2.0 OUR VISION

Our vision is to foster an environment where young people gain valuable skills and a deeper understanding of issues, allowing them to effectively engage in our work for children (girls& boys) and youth.

2.1 OUR GOAL

Plan International Somaliland/Somalia cultivates a culture of mutual respect and learning, where young people are integral to decision-making, driving the organization's mission to serve children

2.2 OBJECTIVES

• Plan International Somaliland/Somalia Country Office Leadership, BDM, PIM and PQ management and technical teams engage young people in decision making in a spirit of collaboration, transparency and mutual learning.
• Plan International Somaliland/Somalia Country Office Leadership, BDM, PIM and PQ management team have Youth Advisory Panels influencing strategic plans and standards for meaningfully and appropriately engaging young people in decision making which leads to more relevant programmes and the building of young people’s skills.
• Align the Youth Advisory Panels activities and processes to existing initiatives, programmes and projects (e.g. Champions of change, child protection, Gender Equality, GBV prevention and response, education, health, climate adaptation/resilience, governance, annual participatory programme reviews, annual planning and reporting).
• YAP members of experienced, competent young people are sharing learning and expertise, supporting youth representatives, and disseminating knowledge and information amongst peers to enhance transparency and participation of young people in Plan’s decision-making.  

2.3 EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Selected youth are pre-screened and receive extensive training on youth empowerment, gender awareness, safeguarding, youth engagement, activism, leadership and influencing
• A Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) is formally created within Plan International Somaliland/Somalia.
• YAP members are introduced to Plan International's country leadership and key teams.
• YAP elect leadership (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary), with the Chair gaining a seat on the Country Management Team (CMT) for strategic input.
• YAP develops action plans aligned with Plan International's existing programs and initiatives.
• YAP members learn from other Plan International YAP programs in other country offices in MEESA and Regional Youth Advisory Panel (RYAP)
• YAP members compile and document their best practices and share them across the country and also learn further experiences of YAP practices from other countries where Plan International exists.

2.4 PRINCIPALS/VALUES

• Youth Advisory panel members are not only partners but decision-makers.
• Commitment for Meaningful participation and engagement: YAP members meaningful engagement with organization’s governance must be built into all phases of the leadership and governance procedures.
• Young people in YAP as positive assets and rights-holders
• Equity, non-discrimination and inclusion must be practical in YAP programming
• The organization’s leadership and YAP are accountable related to leadership/governance, transparency, feedback and complaints, participation, design, monitoring and evaluation performance in the organization.
• Safeguarding and ‘Do no Harm’. YAP members are protected from all forms of safeguarding concerns and they should be informed, valued, recognized and the principle of ‘Do no Harm’ should be applied to them.
• In accordance with our commitment to elevate youth voices, the YAP will review and add to these principles and values

3. YAP FORMATION

3.1 SELECTION CRITERIA

The Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) will be publicly advertised, ensuring equal opportunity for all eligible candidates, based on the following criteria:

• Passion for Volunteerism: A strong desire to contribute to Plan International's mission through voluntary service.
• Active Youth Engagement: Proven experience participating in youth groups, movements, or activism initiatives.
• Plan International Program Familiarity: Prior involvement in Plan International programs, such as "Champions of Change," is highly valued.
• Organizational Alignment: A clear understanding of Plan International Somaliland/Somalia's purpose, programs, and work.
• Values-Driven: Commitment to upholding Plan International's core values and cultural sensitivity.
• Advocacy for Children's and Girls' Rights: A vision for advancing the rights of children and girls.
•  Political Neutrality: Absence of affiliation with any political party.
• Child Protection Commitment: A clean record regarding child protection concerns, issues, or violence.
• Inclusivity and Diversity: A strong belief in and commitment to inclusion and diversity.
• Age Eligibility: Between 16 and 29 years of age.

  3.2 YAP ADVISORY PANEL AND STEERING COMMITTEE ELECTION 

• Advertised on Somalijobs and advertisement should be closed by 11/06/2025.
• Steering Committee shall be elected by and from the Youth Advisory Panel.
• If an Advisor resigns, the Panel may vote by simple majority to remove and replace the member.
• The Advisor may be replaced by another candidate who received the second and third highest number of votes.

      3.3 WITHDRAW OF MEMBERSHIP

• Members who are absent without reasonable cause from three successive meetings will be considered to have resigned their seat.  The assembly will move to fill the position.
• Those who voluntarily wish to withdraw will be allowed to do so and necessary replacements will be done to fill the space created.
• Members whose terms of office ends will become YAP alumni and continue providing advice to new members.

              3.4 YAP GOVERNANCE

Plan International Somaliland/Somalia YAP will be selected from the national and PU levels.  Plan International will ensure representation from key regions where Plan International programs are active -Banadir, Southwest, Puntland, and Somaliland. The YAP will have regular interactions with Plan International Somaliland/Somalia Country Leadership and CMT, PQ, PI, & BDM Management Team and other organizational structures as necessary.

In general, the YAP will be structured as below:

• Youth Advisory Steering Committee
• Youth Advisory Panel members

4.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish and implement effective platforms for youth engagement, ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes, aligning with accountability standards.
• Provide necessary logistical support, including airtime, transportation allowances, and coverage of relevant business expenses. Note: Panel members will serve on a volunteer basis, without salaries.
• Incorporate youth perspectives into project design, implementation, and evaluation, fostering open discussions and debates on new proposals.
• Facilitate timely project reviews and adjustments based on youth feedback and real-world observations.
• Supply the Youth Advisory Panel with relevant information and documentation regarding Plan International Somaliland/Somalia activities.
• Deliver training and capacity-building opportunities in areas such as child protection and safeguarding, inclusion, advocacy and influencing, media engagement, decision-making, and policy formulation.
• Provide a formal framework for the panel to understand and implement meaningful and systematic engagement with children and young people.

5.0 Duration and working schedule

• The Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) will operate on a part-time basis for one year, with possible extension to another year, from July 2025 to June 2026. Following this period, new members will be recruited as YAP.

Please find here full ToR

ToR FOR YAP ESTABLISHMENT AT PLAN INTERNATIONAL SOMALILAND_Final.docx

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organizational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organization, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme, we will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Disclaimer: Plan International is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate applicants on any basis. We also do not charge Job seekers any fees at any point of the recruitment process.