Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa (YALDA) is seeking a skilled Handshake specialist to help us optimize and professionalize our Handshake employer profile and presence to scale student/youth recruitment across the United States university system. We currently have two Handshake employer profiles that require strategic enhancement to meet platform compliance standards and university approval criteria. Several universities declined our access due to profile gaps and content quality, and we now need an expert to audit, refine, and relaunch our recruitment strategy on Handshake for maximum reach and credibility. Then also to reach back to the universities to accept us and to repost our opportunities.
Background Needed:
Experience managing Handshake employer or career services accounts
Strong understanding of university recruitment and employer approval process
Expertise in profile optimization, employer branding, or recruiting strategy
Copywriting and content structure for professional platform profiles
Familiarity with nonprofit or social impact sector preferred
Strong communication and ability to work independently
What is YALDA:
YALDA is a youth-driven international nonprofit operating in 40+ African countries and diaspora communities, with partnerships and collaborations across Harvard University, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the United Nations (UNECA), Afreximbank, UNDP, and major pan-African institutions.
Our mission is to equip African youth with leadership, entrepreneurship, and skills development opportunities to solve Africa’s most pressing challenges. Each year, we connect thousands of young people across Africa and globally to education, career pathways, mentorship, digital training, and volunteer leadership roles.
Your work will directly:
Open recruitment access to over 100 U.S. universities
Enable thousands of students to access YALDA opportunities
Strengthen a global youth movement that empowers African youth
Accelerate leadership development, employability, and innovation across Africa
This project will unlock a strategic recruitment pipeline and expand our volunteer base, internship program, and university partnerships.
We are fully committed to setting this project up for success from day one. This Handshake optimization initiative has already received full internal approval from our leadership team at the Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa (YALDA), and we have designated a clear project owner to work closely with the pro bono volunteer. We have also prepared the core materials required for this project, including:
Access to both existing Handshake employer profiles
A list of universities that previously declined our applications, including feedback where available
Draft opportunity postings for review
Official organization profile documents (mission, EIN/nonprofit registration, credibility assets)
Links to our website, media coverage, and global partnerships
Branding assets (logos, descriptions, team structure)
Please send your Resume and Cover letter to yaldarecruit@gmail.com. Please quote "YALDA Handshake Optimization Volunteer" in the subject line.