*Peacebuilders

The Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) is thrilled to announce its fifth annual Cora Weiss Fellowship for Young Women Peacebuilders. The Fellowship intends to help the young women peacebuilders develop and ensure that more young people share Cora’s vision for lasting peace and gender equality as strong and fundamental parts of our global culture. Furthermore, it provides a young woman with the opportunities and platforms to promote the concerns and priorities of women and girls in their country in global policy discussions at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Program details

Application deadline: July 15^th, 2020

Location: New York, USA

Fellowship theme: Women’s Rights, Gender Equality, Peace & Security

Duration: One year

Starting date: October 2020

Fellowship Benefits

GNWP will cover:

• roundtrip travel cost
• health insurance
• a living stipend to cover room and board,
• local transportation, and
• Other personal expenses for 1 year.

Also, GNWP will support the selected Fellow in:

• purchasing reliable internet connection
• providing a laptop, and a cellphone

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Cora Weiss Fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Have a vigorous understanding of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda; UNSCR 2250 on the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda; the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; the Sustaining Peace Resolutions; the Sustainable Development Goals; and relevant laws and policies;
• Enjoy at least 2 years’ work experience in policy advocacy on women’s rights, human rights, peacebuilding, and other social justice issues, including the Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, and related laws and policies;
• Possess pat least 2 years’ experience in program implementation in a women’s rights, human rights, or peacebuilding civil society organization in a developing country;
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in international relations, women’s or gender studies, or any of the social sciences;
• Have inhabited or worked in a developing or conflict-hit country for at least 5 years;
• Strong proficiency in English (complete proficiency in the English language is a must as it is held in US). Proficiency in any other UN language is an addition.
• There are no age limitations for this Fellowship. However, the Fellowship is designed for young advocates in their careers and reflect the perspectives of youth in their country.

Selection Criteria

The applicants’ evaluation criteria are as follows:

• Knowledge of UNSCR 1325, 2250 and other laws/policies on the subjects listed above in “eligibility section”;
• Effective oral and written communication ability on Women, Peace & Security and Youth Security issues, rigorous speaking and writing skills in English are mandatory.
• Experienced in leading program execution on women’s rights, peacebuilding, and other social justice issues in a civil society entity in a developing country;
• Be able to use the skills and networking opportunities earned from this Fellowship in a similar context, such as working with a civil society association advocating for women, peace and security, for at least 2 years after completion of the Fellowship;
• Ability and tendency to relocate to New York City for one year;
• Ability and enthusiasm to travel to conflict-stricken countries.

Note: Some of the countries under GNWP’’s coverage are still experiencing violent conflicts, are still affected by the aftermath of conflict, or have high rate of COVID-19). Hence, GNWP closely has an eye on the security and crisis situation in all target countries to assure that it is safe for its staff, and all its team members and partners to travel. The GNWP Fellow will have to sign a contract approving to travel.)

The Fellowship Agenda

The successful applicants will work with GNWP for one year in:

• Global advocacy in the UN to uphold the implementation of the (UNSCR) 1325 on Women and Peace and Security, UNSCR 2250 on Youth and Peace and Security, their supporting resolutions, and relevant laws and policies;
• Execution of GNWP’s different programs including but not limited to Localization of UNSCR 1325, national action planning on WPS, and the Young Women Leaders for Peace;
• Research and preparation of training and advocacy materials on WPS, YPS and humanitarian action; and
• Administrative assistance in all areas of GNWP operations.

Reminder: Due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, and the ensuing global health emergency, this Fellowship may begin virtually between Octobers to December 2020. GNWP Team closely updates it on the global situation concerning the pandemic. The Team will communicate with the selected Fellow to determine the travel date to New York based on global health safety protocols.

Required Documents for Application:

• Completed application form in English.
• A cover letter of no exceeding 2 pages indicating why you are applying; and how you will apply the learning and experience from the Fellowship to support advocacy on women’s rights, gender equality, peace and security in your home county.
• A writing sample of at least 1,500 words which highlights policy-oriented or academic writing or/and research.
• Two letters of reference.
• Reference letters should demonstrate how long the writer has known the candidate and in what capacity, comment on the applicant’s potential to make an impact concerning women’s engagement in peace and security, and on any relevant previous experience.

How to Apply?

Applicants should apply for this Fellowship by sending their filled application form plus all other required documents to the below email.

Submission Email: fellowship.gnwp@gmail.com

Notice: the entire required application materials should be complete and submitted together in one e-mail. Documents sent separately will be considered incomplete.

For greater details about this Fellowship, please visit GNWP’s website.