Restless Development is inviting applications for an Advocacy Officer to support its Promoting Youth Inclusion in Governance and Decision-making in Uganda (YIGA) project. The position is based in Kampala, Uganda, with regular travel to West Nile, Karamoja and other programme locations. The role is suitable for an experienced professional with a background in advocacy, youth participation, governance, accountability, policy engagement or related fields. The successful candidate will work with young people, youth structures, government officials, elected representatives, community leaders and civil society organisations to strengthen youth participation in decision-making. Application deadline: 13 October 2026 at 5:00 PM E.A.T. About Restless Development Restless Development is a global non-profit agency working to support young leaders to create a better world. The organisation operates in nine countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and supports youth-led programmes addressing issues that matter to young people. The organisation also coordinates the Youth Collective, a network of more than 4,000 local youth civil society groups and organisations across 185 countries. Safeguarding is a central organisational priority, with Restless Development emphasising the protection and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. About the YIGA Project The YIGA project is supported by the Royal Danish Embassy under PACER and runs through December 2027. Restless Development leads the consortium alongside Media Challenge Initiative and Karamoja Youth Effort to Save the Environment. YIGA seeks to address barriers that prevent young people from influencing decisions affecting their communities. The project supports young people to understand local government planning and budgeting, gather evidence about public services and communicate their priorities to elected representatives, officials and community leaders. The project is expanding its work in West Nile, including Arua, Terego and Madi-Okollo, while continuing activities in Karamoja and connecting regional youth priorities with national discussions. About the Advocacy Officer Role The Advocacy Officer will lead and support advocacy and youth engagement activities under YIGA. The position will help young people use evidence to influence decision-making, advocate for improved public services and engage effectively with government and other stakeholders. The officer will also contribute to documenting project evidence and learning, strengthening advocacy at local and national levels and supporting youth representatives to engage decision-makers. Job title: Advocacy OfficerLocation: Kampala, UgandaProject coverage: West Nile, Karamoja and relevant national activitiesYIGA level of effort: 50%Salary: UGX 23,542,380 gross per annumDuration: One year, renewable subject to funding and performancePreferred start date: As soon as possibleEmployment type: Fixed-termTravel: Regular domestic travel, particularly to West Nile and Karamoja Key Responsibilities The Advocacy Officer will be responsible for: Implementing YIGA advocacy activities in line with the project strategy, workplan and targets. Identifying youth priorities and governance issues requiring advocacy. Developing advocacy objectives, messages, engagement plans and influencing approaches. Mapping decision-makers, duty bearers, influencers and other stakeholders. Supporting evidence collection and analysis on public service delivery and youth-related issues. Translating evidence into advocacy briefs, policy recommendations, talking points, presentations and case studies. Supporting youth representatives to engage elected leaders, technical officers and other decision-makers. Training and mentoring Youth Accountability Advocates, Youth Councillors and other youth structures. Facilitating youth-led advocacy sessions, community barazas and Youth Leader Connect meetings. Building relationships with local governments, elected leaders, community leaders, civil society organisations and youth-led organisations. Supporting organisational advocacy, communications and influencing activities. Maintaining advocacy trackers and monitoring commitments, policy opportunities and outcomes. Working with the MEL team to monitor advocacy indicators and outcomes. Preparing reports, learning briefs and advocacy updates. Contributing evidence and learning to the State of Youth Civil Society in Uganda report and National Youth Working Group discussions. Qualifications and Experience Applicants should have: A Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Political Science, Governance, Communications or a related discipline. At least three years of relevant professional experience in advocacy, policy engagement, youth participation, governance, accountability or a related area. Experience working with young people and youth-led structures, preferably within a development or civil society organisation. A good understanding of local governance, civic participation, accountability and advocacy processes in Uganda. Experience engaging government officials, elected leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders. Strong advocacy planning, stakeholder engagement, facilitation and influencing skills. Ability to analyse evidence and turn it into clear advocacy messages and recommendations. Strong communication, report writing and documentation abilities. Experience facilitating training, dialogue and youth-led activities. Commitment to youth participation, inclusion and safeguarding. Desirable Experience Additional advantages include experience working in West Nile or Karamoja, knowledge of Uganda’s local government planning and budgeting processes, experience in youth-led advocacy or social accountability, and experience preparing policy briefs, position papers, case studies or other influencing materials. Experience working with media and digital platforms, within consortium programmes or on youth-related governance issues will also be valuable. Why This Opportunity Is Valuable The Advocacy Officer position offers an opportunity to contribute directly to youth participation and accountable governance in Uganda. The role combines advocacy, evidence generation, stakeholder engagement, youth capacity strengthening and policy influence. It may be particularly relevant to professionals seeking to work at the intersection of youth empowerment, governance, civic participation, public accountability and development. How to Successfully Apply Applicants should prepare a clear CV demonstrating relevant advocacy, governance, youth engagement and stakeholder-management experience. The application must also include a cover letter of no more than 750 words. The cover letter should provide concrete examples demonstrating how the applicant’s skills, knowledge and experience align with the key priorities outlined in the job description. Applicants should ensure that their examples demonstrate practical experience rather than simply listing responsibilities. Evidence of working with young people, government stakeholders, community structures or advocacy initiatives can help demonstrate suitability for the position. Deadline and Application The application deadline is 13 October 2026 at 5:00 PM East Africa Time (E.A.T.). Interested candidates should submit their CV and cover letter through the official Restless Development recruitment platform. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY Restless Development is responsible for recruitment and selection. Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the opportunity provider and does not participate in the recruitment process. Applicants should verify all requirements, deadlines and application instructions on the official source before applying. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. 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