Brief Description:

AKFC's International Youth Fellowship Program

Aga Khan Foundation Canada is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 International Youth Fellowship Program.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The International Youth Fellowship Program, sponsored by Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada, is designed to develop leadership and management skills and promote learning for outstanding young Canadians who have a desire and an aptitude to work effectively in a global environment.

The International Youth Fellowship Program builds on over 30 years of success during which more than 500 young professionals have received focused study and practical experience, enabling them to chart a course for leadership positions in their chosen fields. Since 1989, the program has attracted outstanding young Canadian professionals from a wide variety of disciplines—including law, engineering, journalism, education, health, business, finance, public administration, and development studies—wishing to embark on global careers.

Each Fellow attends a three-week management seminar in Ottawa, followed by an eight-month placement (July 2024 to February 2025) with a local civil society organization in Africa or Asia. Placements may be with an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) or with one of the AKDN’s trusted partner organizations. Potential host countries may include India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Participants can apply for placements within the International Development Management (IDM) International Microfinance and Microenterprise (IMM), and Young Professionals in Media (YPM) streams that best match their backgrounds and interests, such as:
• Fields: Agriculture & Food Security, Civil Society, Climate Resilience, Early Childhood Development, Education, Gender Equality, Health & Nutrition, Work & Enterprise
• Placements: Communications, Marketing, Media, Monitoring & Evaluation, Operations, Partnerships, Project Management, Research

Approximately 15 Fellowships will be awarded for the 2024-25 program.

ABOUT THE PRE-DEPARTURE MANAGEMENT SEMINAR

The three-week seminar provides training in development management and leadership, emphasizing innovative and analytical approaches and strategic thinking and planning. The practitioner-oriented seminar is intended to prepare Fellows for their placements and equip them with skills and perspectives that will benefit them in a career in international development or related fields. Workshops are taught by some of Canada’s foremost international cooperation practitioners.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All Fellows must meet the following application criteria:
• Hold, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution by April 30, 2024, with a record of strong academic performance.
• Not be enrolled in any educational program for the duration of the International Youth Fellowship Program (July 2024 – February 2025).
• Demonstrated commitment to international development through related volunteer, professional, or academic experience.
• Be 30 years of age or under on February 1, 2024.
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Be fluent in English.

Please keep in mind the following dates:
• Application Deadline - February 1, 2024 (11:59 pm EST)
• Interviews - March
• Offers to Candidates - Late March
• Management Seminar - May 22 - June 15, 2024
• Fellows Depart for Field Placements - July 1, 2024
• End of Placement - February 28, 2025

To apply to the International Youth Fellowship Program, please visit: https://akfc.submittable.com/submit/700f903d-e694-4fe7-9900-d57d4012067d/international-youth-fellowship-2023https://akfc.submittable.com/submit/503b9366-1de3-46d0-8dcf-9b204a67f833/international-youth-fellowship-2024ubmit/503b9366-1de3-46d0-8dcf-9b204a67f833/international-youth-fellowship-2024

The deadline for receipt of applications is February 1, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.

ABOUT AGA KHAN FOUNDATION CANADA

Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) is an international development organization and registered charity. AKFC partners with communities, businesses, and governments to find innovative, lasting solutions to promote inclusive development. Working in Africa and Asia, the Foundation invests in high-quality institutions and systems that anchor social, economic, and cultural progress over the long term. In Canada, AKFC promotes discussion and learning on global issues, raises funds, taps into Canadian expertise to strengthen its development work, and builds partnerships with Canadian institutions.

Established in 1980, AKFC is an agency of the worldwide Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a family of development agencies with individual mandates that address the social, economic, and cultural dimensions of development.

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