APPLICATION DEADLINES
Morocco and Tunisia Application deadline: DECEMBER 15, 2015
Egypt and Algeria: Opens January 2016
The Legacy International and Bridges Center (LIBC) is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for its 2016 Professional Fellows Program (PFP). This two-way citizen exchange program is a capacity-building and professional development initiative that serves individuals working in civil society in Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.
This program is designed for early- to mid-career professionals, with strong leadership skills, who are and who are committed to making a lasting positive impact in their communities through civil society (NGO/CSO/Associations). Areas of interest may include, but are not limited to:
- Public health
- Social Development
- Women and children’s issues
- Rule of law
- Arts and culture
- Education reform
- Transparency
- Free speech and media
- Youth engagement
- Human rights
- Citizen participation
Eligible candidates must be:
- A resident and citizen of Egypt, Algeria, Morocco or Tunisia
- Between 25 and 40 years of age
- Fluent in English (spoken and written)
- Have two years minimum experience with local NGO’s, advocacy and reform organizations and networks, civil society organizations, unions, or other related fields.
- Preference will be given to candidates who have NOT previously traveled to the U.S. on a government-sponsored exchange program.
Program Details
- 34 Fellows are selected from four countries (8-9 each from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia)
- Fellows will participate in a month-long, fellowship placement in an American organization, including service organizations, advocacy groups, grassroots organizations, federal agencies, and congressional offices.
- DATES: Spring delegation (Tunisia and Morocco): May 6 to June 8, 2016
- Fall Delegation: (Egypt and Algeria) October 9-November 13, 2016.
Selected fellow will learn:
- Effective practices in organizational management (staff training, human resources, program evaluation)
- Increase ability to run effective outreach and public relations programs
- Acquire new skills to engage with policymakers and government officials
- Fundraising and proposal writing skills
- Exchange best practices with American peers in their field
How does the selection process work?
- Participants are selected through a merit-based, competitive application process.
- Each complete application is read by at least two evaluators who have been trained to evaluate and score applications and who have experience with prior exchange programs.
- Evaluators are asked to assess applicants’ level of commitment and motivation for involvement in the exchange and demonstrated commitment to public service.
- Evaluators review a candidate’s essays, resume and work experience. Applicants are also encouraged to articulate clearly how the study of governance, civil society, and politics is linked to their current and future professional goals.
- Successful applicants tend to be those who are able to effectively articulate both the impact they would like to make and demonstrate how they intend to do so.
Semi-finalists will be interviewed by a 3-person interview panel in your country in January 2016. Application materials and interview reports are then reviewed by a selection panel at Legacy International’s headquarters in the United States. The selection committee seeks a diverse group of participants. Finalists will be notified and then apply for the necessary visa (called a J-1 visa).
Apply Now for the 2016 Legacy International and Bridges Center (LIBC) Professional Fellows Program
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