South–South cooperation
The lab · The Southern Compass Lab
The Southern Compass Lab turns our attention to the realities and solutions of the Global South. The lab rigorously documents the issues that shape the daily lives of young people in Africa and beyond: water, agriculture, jobs, governance, local economies.
Discover the labAssignments
- Track youth, education and employment indicators across Africa, country by country, with The Southern Compass Lab and The New Forge Lab
- Track the NEET rate (young people outside employment, education and training), youth unemployment, enrolment and age structure
- Gather series from ILOSTAT, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the World Development Indicators and World Population Prospects
- Agree the definition and calculation of each indicator with the Statistical Analyst
- Prepare country profiles with The Southern Compass Lab’s correspondents, who bring the view from the ground
- State each profile’s data limitations: missing years, national definitions, modelled estimates
- Design the country profiles’ charts with the Data Visualisation Designer
- Share your findings with The New Forge Lab’s Impact Projects Officer and Employability Coach
Tools to master
- ILOSTAT and the World Bank APIs: employment and education series
- Google Colab and Python: collection and calculations
- Google Sheets: indicator tables
- Datawrapper: published charts
How we measure success
- Series comparable from one country to the next, updated with each new release of the sources
- Country profiles that correspondents recognise as accurate
Profile we are looking for
- Data analysis with Python, R or an advanced spreadsheet
- An interest in employment, education and youth in Africa
- Rigour with definitions and cross-country comparisons
A volunteer role, open to young people
Every role we offer is fully voluntary. The experience we ask for can come from a course, a student project, an internship, volunteering or a personal project: every skill counts, wherever you gained it. Our roles are designed first and foremost for young people, and we weigh your motivation and potential as carefully as your track record. Want to be part of something big? Apply.
Nice to have
- Studies in economics, demography, statistics or education
- Knowledge of one or more African countries
- Good English and French
What this role gives you
- Building youth, education and employment indicators, from choosing sources to publication
- Expertise in employment and education data, sought after by development organisations
- Work with two labs and a network of correspondents
Applications open until ; a new cycle follows
Applications open in forty-five-day cycles, each followed by the next. YouthShare reserves the right to close this listing as soon as the right person is found. We therefore encourage you to apply now.
The one-year commitment
A non-profit project is built over time. Every volunteer therefore commits for at least one year: time to settle in, carry the assignment through and pass on what they have learned. The weekly time depends on the role and is given in each role description.
How selection works
Online application
You choose a role, present your background and attach your CV. A confirmation email gives you your reference.
Profile review
The Talent team reads every application, matches it with the needs of the role and sends you a first reply by email within three days on average.
Video interview
A conversation to get to know each other and shape the assignment together.
Decision and arrival
You receive our answer by email, followed by a welcome to the team and access to its tools.
Know the right person?
Recommend this role to them: they receive an email from YouthShare that presents it, with your name and the link to apply. You can also share the listing on your networks.