Engagement Lead Global Alliance for Women’s Futures Switzerland

Project Overview & Core Mission

The Adolescent Girls Investment Plan (AGIP) is initiating a strategic project in preparation for the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). We are seeking a dynamic Youth Engagement Consultant to design and lead meaningful adolescent girl participation in this critical global advocacy forum. This is not a standard consultancy; it is an opportunity to architect how youth voices, particularly those of adolescent girls, shape high-level policy discussions on gender equality.

The project’s core mission is to move beyond tokenistic inclusion. We aim to co-create advocacy strategies, develop powerful narratives, and ensure that the lived experiences and recommendations of adolescent girls are central to dialogues at CSW70 and beyond. The consultant will be the catalyst and bridge between grassroots perspectives and global policy mechanisms.

Detailed Role & Key Responsibilities

The Youth Engagement Consultant will be the operational and creative lead for all youth engagement components of the AGIP’s CSW70 preparations and follow-up. This is a remote, time-bound consultancy requiring strategic vision and meticulous execution.

Strategic Design & Facilitation (40%)

• Design and implement a comprehensive Youth Engagement Strategy for CSW70 advocacy, outlining clear objectives, methodologies, and outcome indicators.

• Develop and facilitate a series of interactive, safe, and inclusive virtual consultations and workshops with a diverse global cohort of adolescent girls and young women.

• Co-create advocacy messages, policy briefs, and presentation materials with the youth participants, ensuring authenticity and ownership.

• Design capacity-building sessions to equip participating youth with knowledge of CSW processes, advocacy skills, and media engagement techniques.

Coordination & Partnership Management (30%)

• Act as the primary liaison between the adolescent girl participants, the AGIP secretariat, and partner organizations (including UN agencies, NGOs, and youth-led groups).

• Coordinate logistics for youth participation in relevant CSW70 side-events, both virtual and if applicable, in-person.

• Identify and manage collaboration with youth-led organizations and networks to ensure broad and representative engagement.

• Provide regular updates and reports to the AGIP steering committee on engagement progress and insights gathered.

Content Development & Knowledge Management (30%)

• Synthesize findings from youth consultations into compelling reports, briefing notes, and advocacy documents for policy audiences.

• Support the creation of digital content (e.g., blogs, social media assets, short videos) that amplifies the voices and key messages developed by the participants.

• Capture and document the process and outcomes to create a replicable model for future youth engagement in high-level forums.

• Post-CSW70, contribute to an analysis report on the impact of the youth engagement and provide recommendations for future work.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

We are looking for a candidate who embodies a blend of professional expertise and a deep, proven commitment to participatory practices.

• Education & Core Experience:

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social sciences, gender studies, international development, human rights, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.

  • Minimum of 5 years of progressive professional experience in youth engagement, adolescent girls’ programming, gender equality advocacy, or participatory action research.

  • Demonstrated track record of designing and facilitating youth consultations, particularly with adolescent girls from diverse backgrounds (geographic, socio-economic, ability).

• Technical Knowledge & Skills:

  • In-depth understanding of global gender equality and human rights frameworks, with specific knowledge of the CSW process, the Generation Equality Forum, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • Expert-level facilitation skills, with experience in trauma-informed, inclusive, and online methodologies.

  • Excellent analytical and report-writing skills, with the ability to translate complex youth perspectives into clear policy language.

  • Fluency in English (written and spoken). Proficiency in French, Spanish, or Arabic is a significant asset.

• Personal Competencies:

  • Unwavering belief in the agency and expertise of adolescent girls.

  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with cultural sensitivity and the ability to build trust quickly.

  • Proven ability to work independently, manage complex workflows, and meet deadlines in a remote work setting.

  • Innovative and adaptive mindset, capable of navigating challenges and co-creating solutions with young people.

Application Process & Deadline

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 16 JANUARY 2026, 11:59 PM EST

Interested candidates must submit a complete application package as a single PDF document to the application portal listed on our official website. Incomplete applications or those submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Your application must include:

1. A Cover Letter (max 2 pages): This is your chance to speak directly to the role. Please detail:

   • Your philosophy and approach to meaningful youth engagement.

   • A specific example from your past experience where you facilitated youth input into a policy or advocacy process.

   • Your understanding of the key challenges and opportunities for adolescent girls’ advocacy at a forum like CSW.

2. A Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV): Highlight relevant experience, including dates, roles, and specific achievements.

3. A Preliminary Work Plan & Methodology (max 2 pages): Outline your proposed high-level approach for the first 6 weeks of the consultancy, including key steps for initiating the youth consultation process.

4. Contact Information for Three Professional References.

Selection Timeline:

• Week of 26 January 2026: Shortlisted candidates notified for interview.

• Week of 2 February 2026: Virtual panel interviews (including a practical component).

• By 9 February 2026: Notification to the successful candidate.

• Consultancy Start Date: 17 February 2026.

Why This Role Matters

This consultancy sits at a critical juncture. CSW70 will assess global progress on gender equality. The Adolescent Girls Investment Plan believes that authentic progress can only be measured and guided by those most affected. By ensuring adolescent girls are not just heard but are active architects of the advocacy agenda, we challenge traditional power dynamics in international policy spaces.

You will be instrumental in building a platform where insights from a girl in a rural community can directly inform discussions among global leaders. This is about creating a legacy of inclusive processes that can be adopted by other movements and forums.