The Youth Advisory Body (YAB) is a group of youth leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina established by the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide strategic advice, advocate for youth participation, and offer insights into youth-related programming and initiatives, ensuring that the voices of young people are integrated into decision-making processes.  

Are you a young person with a passion for youth work and empowerment? Do you have a track record of engaging with youth issues and a commitment to making a positive impact in your community and beyond? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you! 

Who We Are Looking For: 

• Age Requirement: Candidates must be aged between 18 and 29 years old throughout the entire mandate period until 12 August 2026. 
• Citizenship and Residence: Candidates must be citizens and residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
• Relevant Experience and Commitment to Youth Empowerment: Candidates should have a demonstrated track record in youth activism, youth work, youth empowerment, youth policy, youth advocacy, or similar areas, with at least three years of experience. 
• Active Participation in Relevant Organizations: Candidates should be actively involved in organizations or structures that represent or associate young people, such as local youth councils, student councils, youth clubs, or other types of youth organizations or organizations for youth. Candidates working on youth issues as part of think tanks, media, educational, or research institutions are also encouraged to apply. 
• Network Building: Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to build and maintain networks within the youth community and beyond. 
• Leadership Experience: Leadership experience in youth associations or activist work is desirable.  
• Understanding of Public Governance in BiH: A solid understanding of the country's public governance system, including its challenges and opportunities, to ensure that proposals made to the UN and, by extension, to the government, are realistic and implementable. 
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, in local languages and preferably in English, to effectively articulate the board's work and engage with a broad range of stakeholders. 
• Advisory/Analytical Skills: Strong advisory and analytical skills are desirable, enabling the member to critically evaluate policies, programs, and initiatives, and provide constructive feedback and recommendations to the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  
• Diverse Representation and Inclusion of Marginalized Groups: Candidates should reflect the diverse socio-cultural, ethnic, and geographical makeup of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ensuring gender balance and representation of marginalized and minority groups. Priority will be given to those from underrepresented or disadvantaged groups (e.g., Roma, people with disabilities, LGBTQI, rural women, youth survivors of violence). 
• Participation Expectations: YAB members are expected to participate in at least two in-person meetings annually, actively engage in online discussions, and facilitate distribution and consultations with youth in their networks. 

Role of the UN Youth Advisory Body (YAB) 

• Advise on Youth Engagement: Provide strategic guidance on effectively engaging youth and enhancing their participation in decision-making processes. 
• Insight into Youth Programming: Offer valuable insights into youth programming and projects at the UN Country Team (UNCT) level. 
• Feedback and Consultation: Conduct and analyze consultations with diverse youth groups to ensure their perspectives are incorporated into strategic decisions when needed. 
• Information Dissemination: Ensure that information reaches a diverse youth audience, including those in hard-to-reach settings. 
• Community Engagement: Engage directly with a broad community of young people to identify and address emerging issues. 
• Representation: Act as the voice of young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing input on youth-related UN activities. 
• Event Participation: Attend UN events to represent and advocate for youth engagement. 
• Uphold UN Values: Adhere to the UN’s code of conduct principles and values in all communications and interactions. 

How to Apply 

To apply for the UN Youth Advisory Board, please complete the application form by 1 August. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. 

Six members will be selected through this call, and three additional members will be directly nominated by the Youth Council of Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina (VSMBD), the Youth Council of Republika Srpska (OSRS), and the Youth Council of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (VM FBIH). The members of the YAB will serve for a term of two years (2024-2026). 

We look forward to your application and the possibility of working together to empower and uplift the youth of Bosnia and Herzegovina.