Youth Communications And Advocacy Associate – Nairobi Or Cotonou

International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)

Essential Job Details

Position Title: Youth Communications and Advocacy Associate
Location: Nairobi, Kenya or Cotonou, Benin
Employment Type: Full-Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Salary: Not Disclosed
Category/Department: Advocacy / Communications
Reporting To: SHIFTS Project Coordinator, Communications Lead
Application Deadline: 8th June 2025

Introduction

Are you a passionate advocate for social change, youth empowerment, and human rights? Are you looking for a career opportunity to impact lives by elevating voices and stories that matter? The Youth Communications and Advocacy Associate position presents an exciting role for young professionals to actively participate in championing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Africa. This job vacancy is designed to harness the innovative energy of youth under 25 and integrate it into communications and advocacy efforts that span across continents.

The Youth Communications and Advocacy Associate role is not just a position—it’s a platform to influence public narratives, shape policy, and support civil society actions in challenging environments. From managing social media storytelling to producing compelling multimedia content, this position places youth at the frontline of strategic change. If you are looking to make an impact in the world of SRHR, this is your time to lead, learn, and advocate.

About International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is one of the world’s largest and most established sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) organizations. Operating across over 120 countries, IPPF is a global force championing universal access to contraceptives, comprehensive sexual education, and quality health services. The Africa Regional Office (IPPFAR), headquartered in Nairobi, serves as a regional hub for 42 countries through a strong network of Member Associations (MAs), partner organizations, volunteers, and youth leaders.

With a commitment to equity and inclusion, IPPF continues to be a leading civil society provider of contraception in 89 countries, and in 64 of those countries, it remains the only large-scale international provider. From 2018 to 2024 alone, IPPF collectively delivered over one billion services—demonstrating its global reach and life-saving impact.

The SHIFTS Project, the focal initiative of this role, is a collaborative venture aimed at reimagining SRHR advocacy and communication through youth-led platforms and community-centered approaches. IPPFAR actively collaborates with the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Commissions (RECs), the UN, and local partners to deliver its transformative vision.

Key Responsibilities

Communications Duties

Draft media statements, internal bulletins, success stories, and external communication materials relating to the SHIFTS Project.
Produce and edit multimedia content (including short videos and visuals) that support storytelling and advocacy.
Coordinate with MAs to ensure consistent public information dissemination and visibility for the SHIFTS Project.
Ensure that all communication materials are in full compliance with SHIFTS Project Branding Guidelines.
Support MAs in collecting high-quality photos, videos, articles, and case studies that reflect the project’s impact.
Archive SHIFTS Project communication materials in an organized and accessible format.
Manage regular updates for the IPPFAR website and social media platforms related to SHIFTS achievements.
Generate creative and engaging communication campaigns that raise awareness of SRHR, particularly among youth audiences.
Collaborate with all stakeholders to extract meaningful stories and amplify diverse voices within the network.

Advocacy Duties

Assist in translating communication materials into powerful advocacy tools that resonate with decision-makers.
Engage with social movements, activists, and grassroots platforms to amplify voices and drive narrative change.
Support NGOs and grassroots movements with their advocacy strategies, particularly in SRHR-focused campaigns.
Continuously Learn and research new methods of organizing and advocacy within challenging or hostile SRHR contexts.
Contribute to strategies that bring about legal, social, and political change through youth-led and community-rooted campaigns.

Qualifications and Skills

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Media, Advocacy, or any relevant field.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Fluency in French or Portuguese is a significant advantage.
Experience or interest in content development, media production, social media campaigns, and visual storytelling.
Basic multimedia production skills, including video editing, photography, and visual design for digital platforms.
Understanding of SRHR and human rights issues, including sensitivity toward LGBTQI+ and youth-led perspectives.
Knowledge of accessibility, intersectionality, and online inclusivity best practices.
Willingness to learn and adapt to digital tools and platforms (web publishing, video conferencing, visual storytelling).
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and remotely.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in diverse, multicultural, and multilingual teams.

Company Culture and Values

IPPF embraces an inclusive, intersectional, and justice-centered work culture. The organization reflects its values in both internal policies and external advocacy. Its commitment to youth-led action, non-discrimination, gender equity, and reproductive justice underpins every project and partnership.

Employees and volunteers at IPPF are expected to:

Promote equity, dignity, and self-determination for all.
Respect diverse perspectives and lived experiences.
Uphold the highest standards of accountability and transparency.
Work collaboratively across borders, sectors, and identities.
Commit to safeguarding, anti-racism, and intersectional feminism.

This role particularly aligns with IPPF’s ethos of engaging youth as both leaders and beneficiaries of SRHR advocacy. Candidates under 25 are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Apply now for the Youth Communications and Advocacy Associate position.

To apply:

Complete the official application form available at:
IPPF Application Form 2025
Submit the completed application form along with a 1-page cover letter to hroffice@ippf.org with the subject line: Youth Communications and Advocacy Associate Application.
The deadline for all applications is 8th June 2025.

Note:

This is a national position. Candidates must have the legal right to work in Kenya or Benin.
Incomplete applications or those submitted in the wrong format will not be considered.

IPPF strongly encourages applications from: