Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT)

About SAYWHAT

SAYWHAT is a student and youth social movement founded in 2003 to promote the health, education, and rights of young people in tertiary institutions and communities. Operating across Zimbabwe and the SADC region, SAYWHAT empowers youth through advocacy, capacity building, movement building, research, and strategic engagement. The organization leads regional initiatives such as the Southern African Regional Students and Youth Conference (SARSYC) and the Girls Education Advocacy in the Region (GEAR) Alliance. SAYWHAT envisions generations of healthy and empowered young people across Africa and works to ensure students and youth enjoy their full sexual and reproductive health rights through inclusive, evidence-based, and youth-led programming.

Position: Country Coordinator (Namibia)

Role Type: Volunteer

Duration: 12 Months (renewable based on performance and organizational needs)

Location: Namibia

Role Purpose

The Country Coordinator will serve as the national representative of SAYWHAT in Namibia, supporting the establishment and growth of a functional country chapter. This role is pivotal in advancing youth-led advocacy, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and coordination of regional initiatives such as SARSYC and GEAR Alliance.

The coordinator will ensure that SAYWHAT’s mission to promote access to health and education rights, services, and commodities for students and youth is realized at the national level, and that local efforts contribute to regional visibility and strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

1. National Advocacy and Policy Engagement

• Monitor national developments in health, education, and child protection to identify and report on local advocacy opportunities that align with regional priorities.
• Support the integration of SARSYC and regional advocacy outcomes into national platforms and campaigns (e.g., national youth conferences, university debates, policy dialogues).
• Represent SAYWHAT’s advocacy positions at national-level meetings with government ministries, civil society, and other stakeholders.
• Collect local data and stories to support the development of regional advocacy materials (e.g., policy briefs, position papers) led by the Regional Advocacy Officer.
• Mobilize young people to participate in and lead national advocacy initiatives linked to SAYWHAT’s strategic goals.

2. Communications and Digital Visibility

• Develop and implement a national communications plan that amplifies SAYWHAT’s key messages, advocacy campaigns, and project initiatives (SARSYC, GEAR Alliance) in alignment with the regional strategy.
• Produce compelling, youth-centric content for national audiences (e.g., blog posts, social media content, local press releases, success stories) and provide it to the Regional Advocacy Officer for regional amplification.
• Manage in-country digital platforms (e.g., social media accounts, WhatsApp groups) in line with SAYWHAT’s branding guidelines to ensure consistent and visible national presence.
• Leverage national commemorative days (e.g., World AIDS Day, International Youth Day) to organize local media engagements, webinars, or community dialogues that highlight SAYWHAT’s work.

Support SAYWHAT’s storytelling approach by identifying and documenting powerful narratives from students and youth within the country.

3. Partnership Management and Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary liaison and manage relationships between SAYWHAT and key national stakeholders, including institutions of higher learning, civil society organizations, and line Ministries.
• Under the guidance of the Regional Advocacy Officer, provide direct support and oversight to implementing partners in the country, ensuring their activities align with SAYWHAT’s advocacy and communications goals.
• Represent SAYWHAT and SARSYC at key national platforms, policy dialogues, and conferences to amplify the organization’s voice and influence.
• Lead the in-country efforts to establish and formalize a SAYWHAT chapter/office, including conducting stakeholder mappings, facilitating registration processes, and setting up initial operational systems.
• Replicate SAYWHAT’s flagship advocacy and communications models (e.g., Web for Life Network, Resource Centers) within the national context.

4. Coordination, Mobilization, and MEAL Support

• Convene and chair national-level Southern African Regional Students and Youth Conference (SARSYC) meetings.
• Mobilize young people and stakeholders for participation in conferences, workshops, and regional opportunities.
• Support Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) efforts by tracking national-level activities and collecting data for reporting.

 Submit comprehensive weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports to the Regional Advocacy Officer.

Eligibility Criteria

Age: 18–35 years, residing in Namibia.

Education: Diploma or degree in Social Work, Development Studies, Public Health, or related fields.

Experience: Minimum 2 years in youth/student organizations, civil society, or academia.

Affiliation: Must be affiliated with or working for a youth-serving organization, coalition, or network.

Skills:

Leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Competence in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and social media platforms.

Digital literacy including design and email marketing tools.

Ability to meet deadlines and work independently.

Values: Commitment to inclusivity, gender equality, social justice, and evidence-based advocacy.

Language: Proficiency in English; knowledge of local languages is an asset.

Availability: Able to dedicate at least 60 hours/month to SAYWHAT work.

Benefits

Monthly communication and transport allowance.

Capacity building, mentorship, and leadership development.

Access to regional and international youth networks and platforms.

Opportunity to shape national and regional youth policy and advocacy agendas.

Participation in SAYWHAT’s flagship events and campaigns.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

Motivation Letter (max 1 page): Describe your suitability, experience, and vision for advancing SAYWHAT’s youth agenda in Namibia.

Curriculum Vitae (CV): Highlight leadership roles, advocacy experience, and achievements.

References: Contact details of two referees familiar with your youth development or advocacy work.

Email your application to: recruitment@saywhat.org.zw

Subject Line: Application for SAYWHAT Country Coordinator – Namibia

Deadline 12 January 2026