Youth Ambassador – Gender and Pay Equity Research

Inclusive Research Centre is recruiting Youth Ambassadors for Young People’s Understandings of Gender Equity and Pay Equity in Aotearoa, a research project commissioned by Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission.

Youth Ambassadors will be an important bridge between the research team and young people across Aotearoa. You will help us reach young people who may not usually participate in formal research and ensure the project’s language, methods and engagement approaches are relevant, accessible and inclusive.

This is a flexible, short-term role requiring approximately 15 hours in total during September and October 2026. Appreciation for your time and contribution will be provided, along with support for approved research-related expenses.

Key responsibilities include:

• Sharing project information through peer networks, social media and community spaces.
• Helping with local pop-ups and research recruitment activities.
• Encouraging young people from different backgrounds to participate in the research.
• Participating in the co-design of the project.
• Providing feedback on how the project communicates and engages with young people.
• Supporting the authentic inclusion of Māori and other diverse communities and worldviews.
• Following project requirements relating to consent, confidentiality, cultural safety and respectful engagement.

We would like to hear from you if you:

• Are aged 18–34 and currently live in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Are connected to a youth community, network or group.
• Communicate respectfully with people from different backgrounds.
• Are willing to connect with young people beyond your usual networks.
• Care about fairness at work, dignity, gender equity, pay equity or human rights.
• Are reliable and able to handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Can complete approximately 15 hours of project activities during September and October 2026.

We particularly welcome applications from rangatahi Māori, Pacific, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, African, Pākehā, migrant and refugee-background, disabled, neurodivergent and rainbow young people. We also encourage applications from young people in regional or rural communities and those working in low-paid, casual, insecure or precarious employment.

Youth Ambassadors will receive guidance and support from the research team and gain practical experience in community-engaged research and knowledge generation.