Summary

The YAC has been established to act as a sounding board and to provide advice to the Embassy and Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South-Africa on challenges and opportunities of youth in South-Africa. The establishment of the YAC contributes to meaningful youth participation and putting the Youth at Heart  strategy of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in practice. Members are selected for the duration of a year with possibility of renewal.

Participants work in areas in line with the priorities of the Embassy in Pretoria and Consulate General in Cape Town. The members of the Committee will work both in cooperation and individually on topics of their expertise. These topics will be in accordance with the focus areas covered by the Embassy. These include: education, innovation, human rights, climate, culture, (geo)politics, trade, agriculture, and defense. 

The YAC will consist of eight young people who will gain experience and knowledge of the work of the Embassy/Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and provide advice on its policies and strategies, while ensuring that Embassy activities and initiatives are youth-proof. The YAC is an advisory body and holds no decision-making power. Participation in the YAC is on a voluntary basis and not monetarily compensated. YAC members’ travel costs to meetings will be reimbursed by the Embassy and financial resources to facilitate YAC events are covered by the Embassy. 

Added value for members

Membership of the YAC is on a voluntary basis, but that does not mean that there is no value for members to join. In fact, membership of the Committee provides young individuals with the opportunity to further expand their knowledge of politically, socially and economically relevant topics to both the Netherlands and South Africa. By delving into these topics and engaging with policy officers working on them, the Committee is given the chance to play a meaningful role in advancing diplomatic relations. The close involvement by the Embassy staff with give the members are unique perspective into the inner workings of an embassy, while simultaneously expanding their network.

Criteria

The Council is open to young people who are: 

•    Aged between 18 to 35 
•    Based in Gauteng or the Western Cape
•    South African citizenship or permanent residency 
•    Preferably affiliated with policy officers and partner organizations of the Embassy
•    Professional proficiency in the English language
•    Online communication skills 
•    Pro-activeness and assertiveness 
•    Representing a relevant constituency of youth in South-Africa
•    Available for approximately an hour per week to fulfill their role in the YAC. Flexibility is required as involvement may vary. 
•    Available for a year, with intensity of work varying from week to week 

How to apply 
Please submit a CV and a motivation letter not longer than 500 words answering the following questions: 

•    Why do you want to be a member of the Youth Advisory Committee? 
•    What do you have to offer in terms of expertise and interest to the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands through participation in the Youth Advisory Committee? 

The CV and motivation letter are to be submitted before Sunday, 1 September at 23:00 to pre-pcm@minbuza.nl. If shortlisted you will be invited to an interview with the Policy Officer of the Embassy who oversees the YAC as well as existing YAC members. Final selections will take place towards the end of September, and the newly selected YAC members are expected to be available from Tuesday, 1 October onwards.