Call for Applications: Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)

Application Deadline: May 12, 2026

About the Program

A five-year young women-focused program of the Mastercard Foundation, implemented in partnership with WUSC and supported by Seedstars, is Pathways to Scale (P2S). Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Rwanda are the countries where P2S operates. Through the provision of gender-focused business development services and access to finance, women-owned and women-led enterprises are strengthened by P2S, aiming to unlock 93,000 work opportunities for young women, particularly young rural women.

About the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)

To prioritize the perspectives of young women, particularly those in rural communities, a Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is being established by P2S. As a strategic platform, this committee will enable young women to contribute to the implementation and evaluation of the program. Through collaboration with the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), we aim to ensure that the project remains relevant, inclusive, and impactful for the communities it serves.

Purpose of the YAC

The Youth Advisory Committee aims to:

• Ensure the voices, experiences, and aspirations of young rural women inform program decisions
• Strengthen youth and gender responsiveness across all project activities
• Promote inclusive, locally relevant, and impactful programming

Key Roles and Responsibilities

The following activities will be undertaken by YAC members:

• Feedback and recommendations on program design and delivery will be provided
• Barriers affecting young rural women entrepreneurs will be identified, and solutions will be proposed
• Integration of gender and youth perspectives into decision-making will be ensured
• Communication materials and outreach strategies will be reviewed for accessibility and relevance
• Participation in youth-focused events, community engagement, and knowledge-sharing will take place
• Dissemination of program information within their communities and networks will be supported

For the successful applicants, a more detailed workplan will be shared after selection and during the YAC onboarding.

Who Should Apply?

7–9 dynamic young women leaders (ages 18–35) from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria are being sought.

Eligibility Criteria

The following requirements must be met by applicants:

• A young woman aged 18–35 (remaining within this age range during the term)
• Experience running a business either as an individual, or in a group setting that you either own/co-own or are a key decision-maker in, preferably in a rural area, must be possessed
• Commitment to women’s economic empowerment must be demonstrated
• Relevant experience, knowledge, skills and interest in entrepreneurship and youth development must be held
• The ability to represent and advocate for peers effectively must be demonstrated, with a good track record of personal and professional conduct
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset are required

Applications are strongly encouraged from:

• Young rural women (at least 70% of members will be from rural communities)
• Young women with disabilities
• Refugees and internally displaced young women
• Women from diverse geographic and socio-economic backgrounds

Key Competencies

The following competencies should be demonstrated by selected members:

• Ability to provide constructive, solution-oriented feedback
• Commitment to gender equality and youth leadership
• Strong community engagement and peer mobilization skills
• Willingness to learn, share knowledge, and collaborate
• Basic working knowledge of English (desirable but not mandatory)

Term and Commitment

• Duration: 2 years (with possibility of renewal)
• Time commitment: 3–4 hours per month
• Participation in at least 4 meetings annually (primarily virtual)
• Occasional participation in additional events, reviews, or working sessions
• 1–2 in-person meetings may be organized (subject to feasibility)

Support and Benefits

The following support and benefits are provided:

• While this is a voluntary advisory role, a modest honorarium will be provided to recognize members’ contributions to P2S, inclusive of a data stipend for participation in virtual meetings
• An opportunity to influence a major multi-country initiative is offered
• Exposure to regional and international development networks is provided
• Professional development opportunities are available (subject to availability)
• Travel and accommodation costs are covered for in-person engagements

Application Process

The application form should be completed by interested candidates via the link below and submitted before the deadline.

Application Link:  Click here to apply

Why This Opportunity Matters

Not a symbolic advisory body is the Youth Advisory Committee it is a strategic platform designed to ensure that the voices, experiences, and aspirations of young rural women genuinely inform program decisions. By embedding youth perspectives at the heart of the Pathways to Scale project, a common failure in development programming designing interventions for young women without meaningfully consulting young women themselves is addressed by the YAC.

For selected members, this role offers:

• Influence over a major multi-country initiative backed by the Mastercard Foundation
• Visibility within regional and international development networks
• Professional growth through exposure to program design, monitoring, and evaluation
• Compensation recognizing their time and expertise (honorarium + data stipend)
• Community with other young women leaders across Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria

For young women entrepreneurs particularly those from rural communities, those with disabilities, and those who are refugees or internally displaced a rare opportunity to ensure that programs designed to support them are shaped by their lived experience is offered here.

For More Information: Visit the WUSC Careers Page