Youth Business International (YBI) Necessity Entrepreneurship Report – Lead Consultant (US$30,000, Remote)

Youth Business International (YBI), in collaboration with Generation Unlimited (GenU), is inviting proposals for a Lead Consultant (or small consultant team) to develop a major global thought-leadership report on youth necessity entrepreneurship. This fully remote consultancy offers US$30,000 for a 7–8 month engagement beginning in March 2026.

About the Project

Across low- and middle-income countries, millions of young people enter the workforce each year with limited access to formal jobs. Many turn to necessity entrepreneurship—small, informal, often under-resourced ventures. Despite being one of the world’s largest employment systems, this form of entrepreneurship remains under-recognized in economic planning.

GenU and YBI aim to shift this narrative. Their joint flagship report, From Necessity to Economic Opportunity, seeks to reposition youth necessity entrepreneurship as a meaningful pathway to livelihoods, economic participation, and inclusive growth.

The Lead Consultant will spearhead the research, analysis, and writing of the report, integrating global data, youth voices, partner insights, and policy analysis to influence decision-makers worldwide.

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Key Responsibilities

The consultant will lead the end-to-end development of the report, including:

1. Inception & Framing

• Inception workshop with GenU and YBI
• Workplan, outline, and analytical framework development
• Narrative arc and hypothesis formation

2. Research & Evidence Synthesis

• Literature and data review
• Integration of macro trends with micro-enterprise realities
• Regional and sector synthesis

3. Youth Voice Integration

• Incorporation of U-Report polling results
• Youth consultations and lived-experience narratives
• Embedding youth insights throughout the report

4. Case Studies & Partner Inputs

• Examples from YBI, GenU, Global Leadership Council
• Contributions from private-sector and ecosystem partners

5. Drafting & Revision

• Full draft development
• Revisions based on multi-stakeholder feedback
• Ensuring clarity, coherence, and policy relevance

6. Finalization & Launch Preparation

• Final report + executive summary
• Practitioner-focused policy brief
• Launch-ready messaging (if needed)

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Expected Deliverables

• Inception note & annotated outline
• Literature and survey analysis
• First full draft
• Revised drafts after internal and partner review
• Final report + executive summary
• Policy brief

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Timeline

• Engagement: March 2026 – September/October 2026
• Final report launched during UN General Assembly 2026

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Qualifications

Required:

• Master’s/PhD in economics, public policy, development, or related field
• 7+ years experience in youth employment, entrepreneurship, inclusive growth, or economic policy
• Experience with multilateral institutions (UN, MDBs, foundations, etc.)
• Expertise in youth labor markets in LMICs, informal enterprises, MSMEs
• Strong publications record in policy or economic reports
• Demonstrated capacity to synthesize evidence and craft compelling narratives
• Experience with equity, gender, and youth-centered methodologies

Desirable:

• Knowledge of green economy, digital/AI, care economy, or creative industries
• Experience integrating youth voices and participatory evidence
• Case study development and mixed-method research experience

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Budget

• US$30,000 (including VAT/taxes)
• Payments linked to deliverables

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How to Apply

Submit the following by 10:00 AM GMT, 23 February 2026 to:
miranda.page@youthbusiness.org

Required documents:

• CV
• Short cover letter (approach, relevant experience, fee)
• Links or samples of similar thought-leadership reports

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed jointly by YBI and GenU.

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About Youth Business International

YBI is a global leader in youth entrepreneurship support, with over 25 years of experience helping young people start, grow, and sustain businesses worldwide. Their work blends global influence with local expertise to unlock entrepreneurship as a force for economic inclusion.

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