AKFC is searching for individuals who can demonstrate a commitment to international development, are driven by the desire to make a meaningful change in the world and are ready to apply their skills and experience to a challenging overseas Fellowship.
The International Youth Fellowship Program is a unique opportunity for recent graduates and early-career professionals in Canada to bring a global dimension to their careers. Through an intensive pre-departure training and an overseas placement, Fellows get hands-on experience in international development. Their placements support local institutions to implement programs that improve the quality of life of the communities they serve.
Fellows will be placed in one of three streams: International Development Management (IDM), International Microfinance and Microenterprise (IMM), and Young Professionals in Media (YPM). IDM Fellows are typically placed with organizations working in fields like health and education, IMM Fellows with organizations involved in microfinance or market development, and YPM Fellows with Nation Media Group, a leading media outlet in East Africa.
Each Fellow spends eight months in Africa or Asia working with agencies and partners of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the world’s largest and most respected international development organizations.
Before Fellows depart for their overseas placement, they attend a three-week pre-departure training in Ottawa, which provides a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge required to contribute effectively to their host organizations. The pre-departure training is designed by former Fellows, and is facilitated by leading international development professionals, based in Canada and overseas, including many alumni of the Fellowship program.
AKFC covers the majority of costs associated with living and working overseas including travel, accommodation, vaccinations, health insurance, and a modest stipend to cover the cost of living. Successful candidates are required to make a one-time contribution of CAD $1,000 towards the costs of the Fellowship.