UNODC Nigeria Youth Peace Champions Programme 2024

May 10, 2024 press_admin 0 Comments

Join UNODC’s Protecting Children from Violence in Contexts of Insecurity; North-East Nigeria Project and become the next changemaker of your generation!

Applications are now open for the 2024 UNODC Nigeria Youth Peace Champions Program. For over a decade, the States of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe in Nigeria have experienced significant challenges relating to serious crimes against children in the insecurity context. Children in these regions have been systematically targeted and recruited by these groups; coerced into participation in violent activities; and/or subjected to various forms of exploitation.

In 2024, recognizing the urgent need to address these alarming trends, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its End Violence Against Children (ENDVAC) Team¹, is launching a comprehensive project “Protecting Children From Violence in Contexts of Insecurity, North-East Nigeria” aimed at enhancing child protection measures and accountability mechanisms in the affected areas.

The campaign aims to build the resilience of children and their communities in targeted local government areas (LGAs) in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States as a key component of support for reconciliation efforts. It will contribute to the:

Prevention of the recruitment of vulnerable children including re-recruitment of those that have already reintegrated into their communities.
Acceptance and reduced stigmatisation of reintegrated children.

The Champions

16 Youth Peace Champions will be selected to work with community leaders and civil society organizations at the grassroots level: 8 in Adamawa and 8 in Yobe State. They will contribute to the validation and dissemination of key messages; resolution of low-level conflict; identification of emerging dynamics; and promotion of peace through effective use of social and traditional media.
Out of the 16, 10 Youth Peace Champions will be selected through this online application process.
A further 6 will be selected directly from targeted communities to ensure the inclusion and participation of young people at the grassroots level.

Eligibility Requirements:

You are between the ages of 18 and 29 years old at the time of application.
You are a resident of Damaturu, Potiskum, Fufore or Yola Local Government Areas of Yobe and Adamawa States.
You can speak and understand, Kanuri or Hausa.
Fluency in English is an advantage.
You are willing to commit from May 2024 to June 2025.

Benefits:

You will make a valuable contribution to the dialogue on preventing and responding to terrorism and extremism affecting children
You will have the opportunity to network with key stakeholders driving peace and reconciliation in Adamawa and Yobe State and beyond
You will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of the UNODC ENDVAC team
You will receive branded souvenirs and
You will be issued a certificate of participation after the successful completion of the programme

Please note that these will be unpaid engagements; and that Youth Peace Champions will not be considered to be staff or personnel of the United Nations.

Application Process

If you meet all of the eligibility criteria, don’t miss your chance to fill out the application form by 23:59, 17 May 2024 (Nigeria time): https://forms.office.com/e/LamjzmPLkU
All successful applicants will be contacted by the end of April and provided with specific details about the project activity timeline and a proposal for their participation.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the UNODC Nigeria Youth Peace Champions