Apply to become a member of SYL’s development cooperation advisory board!
The National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) is looking for creative and motivated people to join its Development Cooperation Advisory Board (KENKKU). SYL represents 14 member organisations and over 150,000 higher education students. KENKKU manages development projects with SYL’s Development Policy Adviser and a member of the SYL board.
The term begins in August 2025 and ends in July 2026.
We don’t expect you to be a professional – you just need to be motivated and eager to learn about sustainable development, development cooperation and human rights. Members are expected to participate in meetings during their term. Meetings are held once a month and can also be attended remotely. Lunch is provided at the meetings in Helsinki, and travel expenses to meetings are reimbursed in accordance with SYL’s travel rules.
A maximum of 15 members will be selected for the Advisory Board, some of whom will continue from the previous term.
KENKKU members are divided into smaller teams. To ensure that teamwork runs smoothly, a chair is elected for each team.
1. Communications and fundraising team
The communication and fundraising team ensures the visibility of development cooperation activities on social media, creates communication content, and brainstorms ideas for communication development. The team also coordinates student union visits and fundraising activities. (The team can also assist with development policy advocacy, for instance by participating in public debates on topical issues.)
2. Ethiopian project administration team
The team will manage a development cooperation project in Ethiopia that supports higher education students with disabilities. Amongst other activities, this involves familiarising themselves with annual reports and plans, and liaising with local partners. The role requires an interest in project management, the ability to work independently, project management skills, and the ability to work in English.
3. Global citizenship education team
The team is responsible for coordinating and developing SYL’s global citizenship education activities and, for example, planning and implementing a global citizenship education project in cooperation with SYL’s Development Policy Adviser. The team also coordinates KENKKU’s student union visits and organises SYL’s participation in the World Village Festival and the Youth Peace Week. The position requires interest and skills related to project work and the ability to work independently.
4. President of the board
We are also looking for a person to chair KENKKU’s meetings and other activities. The chair also reports to the SYL board.
How to apply
Send your short motivation letter to JYY’s Specialist in International Affairs Emilia Lakka via email to emilia.lakka@jyy.fi by March 21. Please title your email “Hakemus KENKKUn jäseneksi”. All applications will be acknowledged as received.
In your motivation letter, you can describe your views and experience related to KENKKU and related activities, what you would like to learn during your KENKKU term, and how you could keep in contact with JYY’s development cooperation actors. Additionally, we hope you will express your interest in different roles within KENKKU based on the profiles outlined above and describe your language skills. Any long-term obstacles to attending meetings (e.g. planned studies abroad) should also be mentioned.
JYY will nominate 1-3 candidates for the position, and the selection of nominees will be made at the board meeting on March 27. The final selection will be made by SYL.
SYL places a high priority on pluralism and equal opportunities in all its activities. We welcome applicants from different backgrounds and of different genders. The selection process takes account of the applicant’s motivation, experience, and the fact that the board must include representatives from all the different student unions.
Further information:
Meri Leppänen (questions related to the position)
SYL’s Development Policy Adviser
044 780 0220
meri.leppanen@syl.fi
Emilia Lakka (questions related to JYY’s application process)
JYY’s Specialist in International Affairs
050 338 7655
emilia.lakka@jyy.fi