About Jumuiya Skills Portal
The Jumuiya Skills Portal is the central platform for skills development and capacity building programmes, hosting the East African Fellowship, Internship & Volunteer Programme (EAFIVP) and the EAC Young Workers Programme (EACYWP) to strengthen regional integration through human capital deployment.
Rationale
The EAC integration process relies heavily on the active participation of non-state actors through the Consultative Dialogue Framework. The 10 Apex Bodies serve as the primary interface between the EAC organs and the citizens of the Community. However, many of these bodies face significant capacity constraints that limit their ability to effectively participate in policy processes, generate evidence-based recommendations, and implement programmes at the regional level.
Simultaneously, East Africa has a large and growing population of educated young professionals who lack opportunities for meaningful engagement in regional governance and development. The Jumuiya Skills Portal bridges this gap through its flagship programmes — the EAFIVP and the EAC Young Workers Programme — creating structured pathways for deploying skilled professionals to the Apex Bodies and facilitating cross-border skills exchange, thereby strengthening institutional capacity while providing transformative career development opportunities.
The programme draws on priorities identified in the EAC Annual Report 2025, which emphasises the need for enhanced capacity of Apex Bodies, greater youth participation in integration processes, and the development of a regional professional cadre committed to the EAC vision.
Youth Unemployment
Over 60% of EAC population is under 25, yet youth unemployment remains critically high across Partner States.
Capacity Gaps
Apex Bodies and regional institutions need skilled professionals to deliver on their integration mandates.
Limited Mobility
Young professionals lack structured pathways for cross-border professional experience and skills exchange.
Integration Deficit
The EAC integration agenda requires a new generation of professionals who understand and champion regional cooperation.
Mission
To strengthen the capacity of the 10 EAC Apex Bodies through the strategic deployment of skilled fellows, interns, and volunteers, while creating professional development pathways for East African citizens committed to regional integration.
Vision
A vibrant network of skilled professionals driving inclusive development, regional cooperation, and transformative change across the East African Community and beyond.
Objectives
The Jumuiya Skills Portal is guided by a set of interconnected objectives that address both the capacity needs of EAC institutions and the professional development aspirations of young East Africans. These objectives are aligned with the EAC Treaty, the EAC Development Strategy, and the broader Agenda 2063 framework.
Strengthen Institutional Capacity
Build the capacity of EAC Apex Bodies and regional institutions through the deployment of skilled young professionals who contribute to research, policy analysis, programme coordination, and institutional development.
Develop Professional Skills
Provide structured pathways for young East Africans to gain practical professional experience in regional governance, policy development, and cross-border cooperation through fellowships, internships, and volunteer placements.
Promote Regional Integration
Foster a generation of integration-minded professionals who understand the EAC framework and can champion regional cooperation across all sectors and Partner States.
Facilitate Cross-Border Exchange
Enable skills exchange and cultural immersion across Partner States, exposing young workers to diverse work environments and deepening mutual understanding among EAC citizens.
Build Alumni Networks
Create a growing network of programme alumni who continue to contribute to EAC integration as professionals, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders across the region.
Advance Inclusive Development
Ensure that programme design and implementation reflect intersectional approaches — addressing gender, disability, age, and geographic disparities in access to opportunities.
Aligned with Global Frameworks
Our objectives are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDGs 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, and 17), the African Union's Agenda 2063, and the EAC Vision 2050.
Our Programmes
Three flagship programmes driving skills development, institutional capacity building, and regional integration across the East African Community.
The flagship programme placing fellows, interns, and volunteers across the 10 EAC Apex Bodies under the Consultative Dialogue Framework. Participants contribute to research, policy analysis, programme coordination, and institutional strengthening.
Key Highlights
- 10 EAC Apex Bodies as host institutions
- 10 thematic work streams
- Structured mentorship (institutional, peer, external)
- Capacity building masterclasses and field immersions
Empowering young workers through cross-border placements across EAC Partner States. The programme promotes skills exchange, cultural immersion, and meaningful contribution to the integration process.
Key Highlights
- Encourage and facilitate skills exchange across Partner States
- Strengthen opportunities for contribution to EAC integration
- Exposure to diverse work environments and cultures
- Cross-national peer learning networks
A searchable directory aggregating fellowships, internships, jobs, and volunteer opportunities from 14+ international development platforms, filtered for EAC relevance. Helping East African professionals discover opportunities across the region.
Key Highlights
- Aggregates from Impactpool, Devex, UN Careers, AU Careers, and more
- Filtered for EAC Partner State relevance
- Search by country, type, sector, and source
- Bookmark and track opportunities
Coordination Structure
The Jumuiya Skills Portal operates under the EAC Consultative Dialogue Framework, with a multi-layered coordination structure that ensures strategic alignment, operational efficiency, and accountability across all programme activities.
Strategic Oversight
EAC Secretariat — Gender & Community Development DepartmentProvides overall strategic direction, policy alignment, and institutional oversight for the Jumuiya Skills Portal. Ensures programme activities align with the EAC Treaty, Development Strategy, and Consultative Dialogue Framework.
Programme Management
Programme Coordination Unit (PCU)Manages day-to-day programme operations including participant recruitment, placement coordination, mentorship facilitation, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement across all three programmes.
Host Institution Coordination
10 EAC Apex Bodies & Partner OrganisationsApex Bodies serve as host institutions for the EAFIVP, providing placement opportunities, institutional mentors, and thematic work assignments. Each Apex Body designates a focal point for participant coordination.
Partner State Liaison
National Focal Points in 8 Partner StatesNational focal points in each Partner State facilitate local recruitment, pre-departure orientation, in-country support for cross-border placements, and alumni engagement at the national level.
Key Stakeholders
The programme engages a broad ecosystem of stakeholders across the EAC region
EAC Secretariat
Strategic oversight and policy alignment
EAC Apex Bodies (10)
Host institutions for EAFIVP placements
Partner State Governments
National coordination and policy support
Development Partners
Technical and financial support
Academic Institutions
Research partnerships and capacity building
Civil Society Organisations
Community engagement and advocacy
Private Sector
Skills development partnerships and placements
Alumni Network
Peer mentorship and programme advocacy
EAC Partner States
The programme operates across all eight East African Community Partner States.
Contact Us
Get in touch with the Jumuiya Skills Portal coordination team for enquiries, partnerships, or support.
Programme Coordination
EAC Secretariat
Gender & Community Development Department
Physical Address
EAC Headquarters
Afrika Mashariki Road
P.O. Box 1096
Arusha, Tanzania
[email protected]
[To be confirmed]
Phone
+255 27 216 2100
[EAC Secretariat switchboard]
Website
Send an Enquiry
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