Girl Up EMEA Global Kinship Leaders 2027: Youth Leadership Opportunity for Young People in Kenya, Zimbabwe and the UK

The Girl Up EMEA Global Kinship Leaders 2027 recruitment offers a unique opportunity for young people to take on a leadership role within the Girl Up Kinship Network, a youth-centred initiative designed to strengthen youth leadership and support the growth of the Girl Up movement across regions. For the 2027 recruitment cycle, two Ubuntu Leader positions are available for young people based in selected countries: one position in Kenya and one position covering the UK/Zimbabwe. The selected leaders will work with the Girl Up EMEA team to support youth leadership programming, Girl Up club engagement, digital storytelling and programme coordination. The opportunity is structured as a part-time role requiring approximately 15–20 hours per week for six months, with the possibility of renewal. The opportunity is particularly relevant to young people who are passionate about youth leadership, gender equality, community engagement, storytelling and creating positive change through youth-led initiatives.

Application Deadline: September 21, 2026

What Is the Girl Up Global Kinship Leaders Opportunity?

The Global Kinship Leaders are part of the Girl Up Kinship Network, a youth-focused initiative that supports the continued growth of the Girl Up movement while strengthening young people’s leadership across different regions. The Kinship Network creates a structure through which young leaders can contribute to Girl Up’s work while gaining practical experience in areas such as programme coordination, youth engagement, communication and digital storytelling. For the 2027 recruitment cycle, Girl Up EMEA is seeking two young people to serve as Ubuntu Leaders.

The positions are allocated as follows

Kenya: 1 position

United Kingdom/Zimbabwe: 1 position

The opportunity therefore has a very specific geographic eligibility requirement. Applicants must currently be based in Kenya, Zimbabwe or the United Kingdom.

What Will Global Kinship Leaders Do?

The selected leaders will support the Girl Up EMEA team in several areas of youth-focused programming and engagement.

The role includes supporting

• Youth Leadership Programming

Global Kinship Leaders will contribute to activities designed to strengthen youth leadership. This can involve helping create or coordinate activities that give young people opportunities to develop their leadership abilities, participate in programmes and contribute to the Girl Up movement. The role provides an opportunity for young leaders to move beyond simply participating in youth programmes and become involved in supporting the development and implementation of youth leadership activities.

• Girl Up Club Engagement

Another important component of the role is Girl Up club engagement. Girl Up clubs provide spaces through which young people can participate in advocacy, leadership, community activities and gender-equality initiatives. As a Global Kinship Leader, the selected applicant will help support engagement with these youth-led communities and contribute to strengthening connections between the Girl Up EMEA team and young people involved in the movement. This makes communication, collaboration and an understanding of youth communities particularly relevant to the role.

• Digital Storytelling

The role also includes supporting digital storytelling. Digital storytelling is increasingly important for youth movements because it allows organisations and young leaders to communicate their experiences, activities, achievements and messages to wider audiences. A successful applicant may therefore have opportunities to contribute to the development or coordination of digital content that highlights youth leadership and the work of the Girl Up community. Applicants who have experience with social media, storytelling, content creation, communications, photography, video or other forms of digital engagement may find this aspect of the role particularly relevant.

• Programme Coordination

Global Kinship Leaders will also support programme coordination. This provides practical experience in helping organise and implement youth-focused activities and programmes. Programme coordination can involve communication, planning, supporting activities, working with different stakeholders and helping ensure that programme activities are carried out effectively.

This makes the role useful for young people interested in careers involving

Youth development

Non-profit organisations

International development

Gender equality

Communications

Programme management

Community development

Advocacy

Social impact

Leadership development

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Two Ubuntu Leader Positions Available

For the 2027 recruitment cycle, Girl Up EMEA will select two Ubuntu Leaders.

The positions are distributed geographically

Kenya

1 Ubuntu Leader position is available for an eligible applicant currently based in Kenya.

United Kingdom/Zimbabwe

1 Ubuntu Leader position is available for an eligible applicant currently based in either the United Kingdom or Zimbabwe. Applicants should therefore pay close attention to their current country of residence, as the application form specifically asks applicants to identify whether they are based in Kenya, the UK or Zimbabwe.

Duration of the Role

The Global Kinship Leader position is a six-month role. This means successful applicants will have the opportunity to contribute to Girl Up EMEA programming over an extended period rather than participating in a one-time event or short-term activity. The role may also be renewed, providing the possibility of continued engagement beyond the initial six-month period. However, applicants should understand that renewal is described as a possibility rather than a guaranteed extension.

Working Hours

The position is part-time, requiring approximately

15–20 hours per week. This structure may make the opportunity particularly suitable for young people who are balancing leadership activities, education, work or other responsibilities. Nevertheless, applicants should be prepared to commit the required time consistently throughout the six-month period. The ability to manage time effectively and communicate reliably with the Girl Up EMEA team will therefore be important.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

The stated age requirement is

19–22 years old.

Applicants must also currently be based in one of the three eligible locations

Kenya

Zimbabwe

United Kingdom

The application form specifically requests applicants to provide their country of residence and includes these three countries as the available choices. Applicants should therefore carefully check both the age requirement and geographic requirement before beginning the application.

Why This Opportunity Matters for Young Leaders

The Global Kinship Leader role provides more than a title. It offers young people the opportunity to gain practical experience supporting a youth-centred international initiative.

Through their involvement, successful applicants can potentially develop experience in

Youth leadership

Programme coordination

Community engagement

Digital communications

Storytelling

Youth network development

Gender equality programming

Collaborative leadership

International youth development

Social impact initiatives

For a young person considering a future career in international development, civil society, advocacy, communications, gender equality or youth leadership, this type of practical experience can be particularly valuable.

Girl Up and Youth Leadership

Girl Up is a youth-focused movement associated with the United Nations Foundation that works to support girls and young people as leaders and advocates for gender equality. The organisation’s model places young people at the centre of leadership and encourages them to develop the skills, networks and confidence needed to create change. The Global Kinship Leaders opportunity fits within this broader approach by giving young people a structured role in supporting youth leadership programming and the Girl Up movement. The opportunity is therefore especially relevant to applicants who already demonstrate an interest in youth-led change and want to contribute to a wider network of young leaders.

What Kind of Experience Could Be Relevant?

The information provided for this recruitment does not specify a formal university degree or professional qualification requirement. Instead, the role is positioned as a youth leadership opportunity for eligible young people. Applicants may therefore want to highlight experiences that demonstrate their ability to contribute effectively to the role.

Relevant experiences could include

Participation in youth leadership programmes

Leadership of a Girl Up club or youth organisation

Volunteer experience

Community service

Advocacy campaigns

Gender equality initiatives

Youth empowerment projects

Social media management

Digital content creation

Storytelling

Event coordination

Programme support

Community mobilisation

Peer education

Student leadership

Non-profit or civil society engagement

Applicants should focus on demonstrating what they have actually done and the impact of their involvement.

Importance of Youth Leadership and Community Engagement

A central feature of this opportunity is its focus on youth leadership. The Global Kinship Leader is not simply expected to attend activities. The selected individuals will support programmes, engage with clubs, contribute to storytelling and assist with coordination.

Applicants should therefore consider how their previous experiences demonstrate

Initiative

Responsibility

Teamwork

Communication

Creativity

Community engagement

Problem-solving

Leadership

Commitment to positive social change

Even relatively small community initiatives can be useful examples if the applicant can clearly explain their role and the results achieved.

Digital Storytelling and Communication

The digital storytelling component makes communication skills particularly relevant. Young people today use digital platforms to tell stories, mobilise communities and increase awareness of social issues. Applicants who have experience creating content or communicating through digital platforms can highlight relevant experience in areas such as:

Social media

Video production

Photography

Graphic design

Blogging

Writing

Campaign communication

Digital advocacy

Online community management

Youth-focused communications

However, applicants should ensure that they present their experience honestly and focus on the skills they can genuinely contribute.

Programme Coordination Experience

Applicants should also consider any experience they have supporting or organising programmes. This does not necessarily have to come from formal employment.

Examples could include

Organising youth events

Coordinating school activities

Supporting workshops

Managing volunteers

Organising advocacy campaigns

Coordinating community projects

Supporting conferences or webinars

Planning club activities

Working with youth organisations

Such experiences can demonstrate the applicant’s ability to plan, communicate and work with others.

Terms of Reference

Applicants are specifically instructed to review the Terms of Reference before completing the application. This is an important part of the application process because the Terms of Reference provide the detailed expectations associated with the Global Kinship Leader role. Prospective applicants should therefore read the document carefully before submitting their application.

Terms of Reference: Girl Up EMEA Global Kinship Leaders Terms of Reference

Applicants should use the Terms of Reference to understand the responsibilities and expectations of the position and to determine whether their experience and interests align with the role.

Information Required in the Application

The application form begins with a section requesting basic information from applicants.

Applicants are asked to provide

Full name

Email address

Country of residence

City or region

Age

The country-of-residence section identifies

Kenya

UK

Zimbabwe

The age field explicitly states the eligibility range of 19–22 years old. Applicants should ensure that all information submitted is accurate.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the Girl Up EMEA Global Kinship Leaders 2027 application is

September 21, 2026. Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and avoid waiting until the final day. Early submission is particularly advisable because applicants should have enough time to review the Terms of Reference, prepare their responses and ensure that all information is accurate.

Location of the Opportunity

The opportunity has a multi-country eligibility structure.

The available locations are

Kenya

Zimbabwe

United Kingdom

One position is specifically allocated to Kenya, while the second position covers the UK/Zimbabwe recruitment category. Applicants must currently be based in one of these locations to be eligible under the stated recruitment criteria.

Is This a Full-Time Opportunity?

No. The Global Kinship Leader role is explicitly described as a part-time position. The expected commitment is approximately 15–20 hours per week for six months. This makes the opportunity different from a full-time employment position and may allow eligible young people to balance the role with other commitments.

Is the Role Permanent?

No. The initial appointment is for six months, with the possibility of renewal. Applicants should therefore view the opportunity as a fixed-term leadership engagement rather than a permanent position.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Although the application form begins with basic information, applicants should approach the opportunity strategically.

Review the Terms of Reference Carefully

The first step should be to read the Terms of Reference carefully.

Applicants should understand

What the Global Kinship Leader role involves

What responsibilities are expected

What type of contribution Girl Up EMEA is seeking

Whether their experiences align with the role

What commitment will be required

Identify Your Strongest Leadership Experiences

Think about experiences where you took responsibility rather than simply participated.

For example

Did you lead a youth project?

Did you organise an event?

Did you coordinate volunteers?

Did you create a community campaign?

Did you manage a club?

Did you mentor other young people?

Did you lead a digital campaign?

These examples can help demonstrate leadership.

Highlight Your Youth Engagement Experience

Because the role focuses on youth leadership and Girl Up club engagement, applicants should clearly demonstrate their experience working with or for young people where applicable.

Demonstrate Communication Skills

Digital storytelling and programme coordination require strong communication. Applicants should therefore highlight experiences involving writing, speaking, social media, storytelling, advocacy or community mobilisation.

Show Commitment to Positive Change

The role is connected to a wider youth-centred movement. Applicants should demonstrate that they are motivated by more than personal career development and are interested in contributing to meaningful change.

What Applicants Should Avoid

Applicants should avoid submitting generic applications that simply list activities without explaining their contribution.

Instead of writing

“I participated in several youth programmes.”

It is more useful to explain

What the programme was

What your role was

What you contributed

Who benefited

What you learned

What changed as a result

Applicants should also avoid exaggerating their experience. The strongest applications should provide a genuine picture of the applicant’s leadership, interests and ability to contribute.

Application Checklist

Before submitting an application, eligible applicants should confirm that they

Are 19–22 years old. Currently live in Kenya, Zimbabwe or the United Kingdom. Understand that the role is part-time. Can commit approximately 15–20 hours per week. Can commit to the initial six-month period. Have reviewed the Terms of Reference. Have prepared their full name and email address. Can provide their country of residence. Can provide their city or region. Have entered their correct age. Have reviewed their application carefully before submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Girl Up Global Kinship Leaders opportunity?

It is a youth leadership opportunity within the Girl Up Kinship Network through which selected young people support Girl Up EMEA’s youth leadership programming, club engagement, digital storytelling and programme coordination.

How many positions are available?

There are two Ubuntu Leader positions for this recruitment cycle. One is for Kenya, while the other is for the UK/Zimbabwe category.

How long is the role?

The initial role lasts six months, with the possibility of renewal.

Is it full-time?

No. It is a part-time role requiring approximately 15–20 hours per week.

What age must applicants be?

Applicants must be 19–22 years old.

Which countries are eligible?

Applicants must currently be based in Kenya, Zimbabwe or the United Kingdom.

Do I need a university degree?

The information provided for the application does not state a university degree requirement. Applicants should therefore focus on the stated eligibility criteria and the requirements outlined in the Terms of Reference.

What will the selected leaders do?

They will support youth leadership programming, Girl Up club engagement, digital storytelling and programme coordination with the Girl Up EMEA team.

Can the role be renewed?

Yes. The opportunity states that renewal is possible, although renewal is not guaranteed.

When is the application deadline?

The deadline is September 21, 2026.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should first review the Terms of Reference and ensure they meet the age and location requirements. They can then proceed with the Girl Up EMEA application and provide the requested basic information.

Terms of Reference: https://bit.ly/3SZBlA2

Applicants should ensure that their information is accurate and that they submit their application before September 21, 2026.

APPLY HERE

Conclusion

The Girl Up EMEA Global Kinship Leaders 2027 opportunity provides an exciting pathway for young people in Kenya, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom to take on a structured youth leadership role within the Girl Up Kinship Network. With two Ubuntu Leader positions available, the six-month, part-time role will allow selected young leaders to support youth leadership programming, engage Girl Up clubs, contribute to digital storytelling and assist with programme coordination. The opportunity can be particularly valuable for young people interested in youth development, gender equality, advocacy, communications, community engagement, international development and social impact. It provides an opportunity to contribute to a recognised youth-centred movement while gaining practical experience in leadership and programme support. Eligible applicants should carefully review the Terms of Reference, assess how their experiences align with the role and prepare their applications well before the September 21, 2026 deadline. The key requirements are straightforward but important: applicants must be 19–22 years old, currently based in Kenya, Zimbabwe or the UK, and able to commit 15–20 hours per week for six months. For young people who meet these requirements and are passionate about youth leadership and creating positive change, this is an opportunity worth considering. Discover more global Fellowship, African and Women opportunities on OFY.