Vacancy: Youth Advisory Body Global Health Hub Netherlands

Deadline 24th of February 2026

Are you a young person motivated to contribute to global health? Do you have an interest in health policy and would you like to share your perspective while also gaining new knowledge yourself? Then this vacancy for a Youth Advisor within the Global Health Hub - the Netherlands might be for you! About Global Health Hub Netherlands

The Global Health Hub - the Netherlands, hereafter GHH-NL, is a network of partners working together on global health. This network was established by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BZ). The Hub originates from the Dutch Global Health Strategy:

*"Health knows no borders. (...) That is why it is important for the Netherlands to also commit to health in other countries. In October 2022, the Dutch Global Health Strategy was launched. It states that the government promotes cooperation, shares knowledge and experience, and defends human rights in order to improve health worldwide." *

The Hub brings together actors from various sectors who are active in the field of global health. By joining forces, the partners of GHH-NL collectively contribute to:

• stimulating knowledge exchange and mutual partnerships;
• streamlining and coordinating action;
• fostering innovation;
• international and interdepartmental policy coherence;
• strengthening the advocacy role of the Hub’s partners.

The priorities of the Dutch Global Health Strategy form the focal points of GHH-NL. To this end, Communities of Practice (CoPs) have been established. A CoP is a working group in which partners collaborate on one of the following topics:

1. strengthening global health architecture and national health systems;
2. improving international pandemic preparedness and minimizing cross-border health threats;
3. addressing the impact of climate change on public health and vice versa.

Improving the health of young people worldwide is a priority for GHH-NL. In addition, GHH-NL places great importance on youth participation in shaping global health policy. Because today’s decisions have a direct impact on the health of young people, now and in the future, it is essential that young people have a voice in policies, strategies, and programmes that affect their lives and futures. For this reason, the GHH-NL explicitly promotes youth participation. To this end, a Youth Advisory Body will be established, consisting of young people with expertise in a range of health-related themes who will advise the partner network.

More information about the Global Health Hub and the CoPs can be found at: [(https://www.globalhealthhub.nl.)]

About the Position

GHH-NL is looking for up to nine young people who will jointly form the Youth Advisory Body. These young people will advise GHH-NL in its activities. The group will be divided into three working groups, each linked to one of the Communities of Practice (CoPs). In addition to overarching activities within GHH-NL, you will collaborate with a CoP on a specific focus area, advise them on their activities, and, where possible, contribute to the work of the CoP. In this way, you can develop in-depth knowledge of one of the themes and share your perspectives in a targeted manner. For each CoP, one Youth Advisor will be appointed to serve as the link between young people and professionals, ensuring that youth perspectives are structurally integrated into policy and practice. This year, the Youth Advisory Body will be launched. This means that your team of Youth Advisors will be the first to represent young people within GHH-NL. This year therefore constitutes a pilot phase, which means there is extra room for feedback and that some aspects of the role may still be evolving. This offers many valuable opportunities to provide your own input, but also requires a proactive attitude in order to make the most of your role as a Youth Advisor.

Term: 1 March 2026 – October 2026

Task Description: Youth Working Group Member

A group of up to nine young people will be appointed as members of the Youth Advisory Body. As a member of this body, you will:

• attend meetings of the Youth Advisory Body;
• advise GHH-NL and—upon request—its partners on youth engagement and the youth perspective in the Hub’s work;
• actively work to involve young people (and youth organisations) in GHH-NL, in close cooperation with the secretariat;
• jointly produce, once per year with the other members, a short advisory report (2–3 pages) on youth participation within GHH-NL, including an evaluation of the past year and recommendations for the coming year;
• contribute substantively to the Hub’s activities where desired and feasible;
• help shape the agenda and format of the GHH-NL Annual Event in October and make a substantive contribution to it.

In addition, the members of the Youth Advisory Body will be divided into three working groups of approximately three members each, with each group linked to one of the CoPs. As a member of a working group, you will:

• support the Youth Advisor of the relevant CoP in their activities;
• where possible, attend 1–2 CoP meetings together with the Youth Advisor.

Task Description: Youth Advisor

• In addition to the tasks of the other members of the Youth Working Group, you will also:
• act as a bridge between the CoP and the Youth Advisory Body;
• regularly participate in meetings of the relevant CoP (once every 1–2 months);
• represent the youth perspective within the work of the CoP;
• actively involve young people in the work and activities of the CoP;
• make substantive contributions to the work and activities of the CoP.
• The core responsibilities are largely comparable across roles; the thematic focus differs per CoP.

What We Offer

The opportunity to directly contribute to policy development around global health; Collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BZ), and more than fifty other partner organizations from the field;

• Substantive and educational sessions with experts and partners and the opportunity to deepen your knowledge in global health and relevant (sub)themes;
• Space to further develop your advisory, writing, presentation, and facilitation skills;
• A network of fellow youth advisors and working group members within the Global Health Hub;
• Support throughout the entire term by a team of professionals and young people in your work;
• A reimbursement for travel expenses.

Profile

We are looking for 9 young people for the working groups, including 3 youth advisors, who together form a diverse team and complement each other. We are therefore looking for young people who recognize themselves in the following profile:

• You are a student or young professional (up to 30 years old);
• You have demonstrable interest in global health and clear affinity with the theme of the role you are applying for:
  • Access to care, health systems, sexual and reproductive health and rights (CoP1);
  • Infectious diseases, pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, One Health, access to medicines (CoP2);
  • Climate change, sustainability, planetary health, food or water issues (CoP3);
• You possess sufficient oral and written communication skills in English;
• You can navigate between different levels (young people, professionals, policy);
• You have a proactive, independent, and collaborative attitude;
• You are willing to participate in meetings online and, if possible, in person (1-2 meetings per month);
• You are willing to invest 4-6 hours per month (Youth Working Group member) or 8-10 hours per month (Youth Advisor) in this project;

Application Procedure

Are you interested? Please send your cover letter (max. 500 words) and CV by February 24, 2026 to globalhealth@minvws.nl and youthdelegate@ifmsa.nl. In your motivational letter, we would like to read:

• Which CoP you are applying for (also mention this in the subject line of your email)
• Whether you are applying as a member of the working group or if you are also interested in the leadership role as youth advisor
• Why you are motivated for this role and this theme specifically
• What relevant experience, skills, or perspectives you bring that are of added value for this position