The Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs) has opened a call for Youth Researchers to support field research, youth engagement, interviews, data collection and documentation under the Youth Voice Naija Project.
This opportunity is designed for young people who are passionate about research, youth participation, public policy and inclusive decision-making and who are willing to work directly with young people whose voices are often missing from formal policy and decision-making processes.
Through the project, selected Youth Researchers will contribute to efforts aimed at strengthening the participation and leadership of underrepresented young people and creating meaningful opportunities for them to contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of the National Youth Policy 2026–2030.
If you are a young person interested in research and community engagement and are motivated to help ensure that young people’s experiences and perspectives are represented in policy processes, this call may provide an opportunity to gain practical research experience while contributing to an important youth-focused initiative.
About the Youth Voice Naija Project
The Youth Voice Naija Project focuses on increasing the meaningful participation of young people in policy and decision-making spaces.
Young people represent an important part of society, but not all youth have equal opportunities to participate in discussions and processes that affect their lives. Some groups face barriers related to geography, socioeconomic circumstances, access to information, limited representation or other forms of exclusion.
As a result, policy processes can sometimes fail to adequately capture the experiences and priorities of young people who are most difficult to reach.
The Youth Voice Naija Project seeks to address this challenge by supporting greater participation from underrepresented and often-overlooked youth groups.
A key focus of the project is enabling young people to directly engage in processes related to the National Youth Policy 2026–2030. By collecting young people’s perspectives and documenting their experiences, the initiative aims to contribute to more inclusive youth policy processes.
The Youth Researchers recruited through this call will therefore play an important role in connecting the project with young people in selected communities and locations.
What Will Youth Researchers Do?
Selected Youth Researchers will support several aspects of the project’s field research and youth engagement activities.
Their responsibilities will focus on reaching young people, collecting information, conducting engagements and ensuring that the experiences and perspectives shared by participants are properly documented.
Key activities may include:
1. Participant Outreach
Youth Researchers will help identify and reach potential participants for the project’s research and engagement activities.
This is particularly important because the project is interested in reaching young people who may not normally have access to policy discussions or youth participation opportunities.
Researchers may therefore be expected to:
- Identify relevant youth groups and individuals.
- Connect with young people within selected communities and locations.
- Encourage eligible young people to participate in research activities.
- Communicate information about the research process to potential participants.
- Help ensure that underrepresented youth groups are adequately reached.
- Support inclusive participation throughout the research process.
The ability to communicate respectfully with different groups of young people will therefore be important.
2. Field Data Collection
Youth Researchers will participate in collecting information from young people in selected locations.
The information gathered may help the project understand young people’s:
- Experiences;
- Challenges;
- Priorities;
- Aspirations;
- Views on youth participation;
- Perspectives on policy processes;
- Capacity-building needs; and
- Experiences with decision-making and leadership opportunities.
Researchers will be expected to approach data collection responsibly and accurately, ensuring that information gathered from participants is properly recorded and documented.
3. One-on-One Engagements With Young People
The opportunity specifically involves one-on-one engagements with young people.
These interactions can provide participants with space to share their individual experiences and perspectives in greater depth.
Youth Researchers may be required to engage participants through structured conversations or interviews and capture relevant information arising from those discussions.
Strong listening and interpersonal communication skills can therefore be valuable for anyone interested in applying.
4. Interviews
Youth Researchers will also support interviews with young people.
Through interviews, the project can gather detailed information about the realities facing young people, particularly those whose experiences may not be adequately reflected in mainstream policy discussions.
Applicants should therefore be comfortable communicating with people from different backgrounds and asking questions in a respectful and appropriate manner.
5. Documentation
Another important responsibility will be documenting the experiences and perspectives of participating young people.
Accurate documentation can help transform individual experiences into useful research findings that can inform youth participation and policy processes.
Researchers should consequently be:
- Detail-oriented;
- Responsible;
- Organized;
- Accurate when recording information; and
- Committed to representing participants’ views fairly.
Research Training for Selected Applicants
Selected Youth Researchers will participate in a Research Training before supporting data collection across the selected locations.
The training is intended to prepare researchers for their responsibilities and help create a common understanding of the project’s research and data-collection processes.
Participation in the training is particularly important because field research requires researchers to understand how to interact with participants, collect information appropriately and document findings consistently.
The training may therefore help selected researchers develop or strengthen practical skills relevant to:
- Field research;
- Data collection;
- Interviewing;
- Youth engagement;
- Documentation;
- Community outreach; and
- Research ethics and responsible engagement.
For young people seeking to build practical experience in research, public policy, youth development or community engagement, participation in such training can also provide useful professional exposure.
Who Is NGYouthSDGs Looking For?
The organization is looking for young people who demonstrate a genuine interest in research, youth participation and policy processes.
According to the call, successful applicants should be:
- Curious and interested in learning;
- Responsible in carrying out assigned responsibilities;
- Willing to engage directly with young people;
- Interested in research and data collection;
- Comfortable reaching out to youth groups and individuals;
- Willing to support field research activities;
- Interested in youth participation and policy processes; and
- Prepared to work with young people in communities and locations that are often overlooked.
An applicant does not simply need to be interested in research in theory. The opportunity requires a willingness to participate in practical activities involving outreach, interviews, data collection and documentation.
Why This Opportunity May Be Valuable for Young Researchers
Participating as a Youth Researcher can provide practical exposure to the intersection of research, youth development and public policy.
Unlike opportunities that are primarily classroom-based, this role involves engaging directly with young people and gathering information from communities.
Some of the potential benefits include:
Practical Research Experience
Researchers will gain practical exposure to field research activities, including participant outreach, interviews, data collection and documentation.
This can be particularly useful for young people interested in careers or further study in:
- Social sciences;
- Development studies;
- Public policy;
- International development;
- Governance;
- Political science;
- Sociology;
- Youth development;
- Community development;
- Research and evaluation; and
- Related fields.
Exposure to Youth Policy Processes
The project is connected to efforts surrounding the National Youth Policy 2026–2030, giving participants an opportunity to contribute to a youth-focused policy process.
This can help researchers understand how young people’s experiences and perspectives can be gathered and incorporated into policy discussions.
Community Engagement Experience
The role requires researchers to engage with young people, including those in communities that are often overlooked.
This can strengthen applicants’ practical experience in community outreach, stakeholder engagement and inclusive participation.
Research and Interview Skills
Through fieldwork and one-on-one engagements, selected researchers can develop valuable skills in conducting interviews, asking questions, listening actively and documenting information.
Contribution to Youth Representation
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of the opportunity is the opportunity to help ensure that the voices of underrepresented young people are heard.
By reaching young people who may otherwise be excluded from policy discussions, Youth Researchers can contribute to a more inclusive understanding of young people’s experiences and needs.
Qualities That Could Strengthen an Application
Although applicants are not provided with a detailed scoring framework in the announcement, individuals considering applying should ensure that their responses clearly demonstrate their suitability for the role.
Applicants can emphasize relevant experience or interests such as:
- Research experience — Any previous academic, community or independent research experience may be relevant.
- Youth engagement — Experience working with youth groups, student organizations, community initiatives or youth-led organizations can demonstrate the ability to engage the target population.
- Community outreach — Applicants who have participated in awareness campaigns, mobilization activities or community-based initiatives can highlight this experience.
- Communication skills — Researchers will interact directly with participants, making clear and respectful communication important.
- Data collection experience — Experience conducting surveys, interviews, focus groups or other forms of information gathering can be useful.
- Documentation skills — Applicants should demonstrate that they can accurately record and organize information.
- Interest in public policy — A genuine interest in how policies are developed, implemented and monitored can strengthen an application.
- Commitment to inclusion — Applicants should show an understanding of why it is important to include young people who are often excluded from decision-making processes.
Who Can Apply?
The call is targeted at young people interested in research, youth participation and policy processes, particularly those who are willing to support outreach and engagement with underrepresented youth.
The announcement emphasizes the importance of reaching young people in locations and communities that are often overlooked.
Geographic Eligibility
The opportunity is associated with the Youth Voice Naija Project and the National Youth Policy 2026–2030, indicating a Nigeria-focused research and youth engagement context.
The supplied announcement does not explicitly provide a detailed list of eligible countries, nationalities, ethnic groups or continental eligibility categories. Applicants should therefore rely on the official application form and information provided by NGYouthSDGs when determining whether they meet the geographic requirements.
Educational Qualifications
The announcement does not specify a mandatory academic degree, field of study or minimum educational qualification.
Instead, the emphasis is on applicants being young people who are:
- Curious;
- Responsible;
- Interested in research;
- Willing to conduct field activities;
- Able to engage young people; and
- Interested in youth participation and policy.
Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that a specific university qualification is required unless the application form or organization provides additional requirements.
Application Process
Interested applicants are required to complete the application form carefully.
The application form requests an email address and contains required questions that applicants must answer before submitting their responses.
Applicants should take time to provide accurate and thoughtful information rather than submitting incomplete or rushed responses.
The application form provided in the call is hosted through Google Forms.
Application form: Youth Researchers Application Form
What Happens After Applying?
Submitting the application does not automatically mean that an applicant has been selected.
According to the announcement, shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further assessment or an interview.
The selection process may therefore involve additional evaluation after the initial application.
Applicants should monitor the email address they provide in the application and ensure that they can receive communications from the organizing team.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Before submitting the form, prospective Youth Researchers can take several steps to improve the quality of their application.
Demonstrate Your Interest in Research
Explain why research matters to you and, where applicable, mention previous research activities you have participated in.
This could include academic research, community surveys, independent projects, volunteer research or other relevant activities.
Highlight Youth Engagement Experience
If you have worked with young people, youth-led organizations, student groups, community organizations or development initiatives, make this clear in your application.
Show That You Understand the Purpose of the Project
Applicants should demonstrate an understanding of why the project seeks to amplify the voices of underrepresented young people.
Avoid providing generic responses that could apply to any opportunity. Instead, connect your motivation to youth participation, inclusive decision-making and policy engagement.
Demonstrate Responsibility
Because Youth Researchers will collect and document information from participants, applicants should demonstrate that they can handle responsibilities carefully and professionally.
Be Specific
When describing previous experiences, provide concrete examples where possible.
For example, instead of simply stating that you have “research experience,” explain what type of research you conducted, your responsibilities and what you learned.
Important Considerations Before Applying
Applicants should carefully review the official application form before submitting their responses.
In particular:
- Ensure all required questions are completed.
- Provide accurate personal and professional information.
- Use an email address that you regularly monitor.
- Review your answers before submitting the form.
- Make sure your responses clearly communicate your interest in youth research and policy.
- Do not submit passwords or confidential login information through the form.
- Keep a record of your application where appropriate.
The form itself also reminds applicants that passwords should never be submitted through Google Forms.
Visit HERE for more information about the Youth Voice Naija Project.
Deadline
Deadline: Not specified in the supplied call.
The announcement provided does not state a closing date for applications. Applicants should therefore check the official application form or the organization’s official communication channels for any deadline or subsequent update before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Youth Voice Naija Project?
The Youth Voice Naija Project is an initiative focused on strengthening the participation and leadership of underrepresented young people and creating opportunities for them to contribute to policy and decision-making processes, including engagement around the National Youth Policy 2026–2030.
What will Youth Researchers do?
Youth Researchers will support participant outreach, field data collection, one-on-one engagements, interviews and documentation of young people’s experiences, perspectives and capacity-building needs.
Will selected researchers receive training?
Yes. Selected Youth Researchers will participate in a Research Training designed to support them in carrying out data collection across selected locations.
Is previous research experience mandatory?
The supplied announcement does not state that previous research experience is mandatory. However, applicants should demonstrate curiosity, responsibility and a genuine interest in research, youth participation and policy processes.
Is there an application fee?
No application fee is mentioned in the supplied announcement.
Is there a deadline?
No deadline is stated in the information provided. Applicants should check the official application form and NGYouthSDGs’ official communications for the latest deadline information.
What happens after submitting an application?
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further assessment or an interview.
Who is the opportunity intended for?
It is intended for young people who are passionate about research, youth participation and policy processes and who are willing to engage with young people, particularly those in underrepresented or overlooked communities.
Final Thoughts
The Youth Voice Naija Youth Researchers call provides an opportunity for young people to move beyond simply participating in conversations about youth development and instead contribute directly to the research and engagement processes that can inform youth policy.
By supporting participant outreach, conducting interviews, collecting information and documenting young people’s experiences, selected researchers can help bring the perspectives of underrepresented youth into policy discussions.
The opportunity may be particularly valuable for young people interested in research, public policy, governance, youth development, community engagement, social development and inclusive decision-making.
Those interested should carefully complete the application form, clearly communicate their motivation and relevant experience, and monitor their email for possible follow-up regarding assessment or interviews.
Apply through the official application form: Youth Researchers Application Form
For more global Fellowship opportunities, visit OFY HERE.
