The John Smith Memorial Trust is accepting applications for the 2011 Fellowship from 1st October 2010.

All applications must be submitted by 31st December 2010.

Guidelines for Applicants

Please note: all applications for the John Smith Fellowship must be emailed directly to the John Smith Memorial Trust in London and not emailed or posted to the British Council offices.

All enquiries regarding the application process should be emailed to: [email protected]

The complelted application form should be emailed to: [email protected]

The application process is promoted by the British Council on behalf of the John Smith Memorial Trust.

Applications for Fellowships are invited from the following countries:
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine

The Fellowship aims to strengthen and deepen awareness of good governance through a four week programme in the UK and placements that show the workings of organisations within a long established democracy. Selection is based on a combination of the leadership potential of the applicant and the quality of the action plan they propose. Action plans are pieces of work or policy problems which the Fellows want to explore while in the UK.

The “ideal” candidate will be aged 25-40, working in politics, local administration, business, the media, the arts or civil society, with a track record of achievement in the area of good governance and public service.

Good written and spoken English is essential. A minimum level of IELTS of 6.0 is normally needed for successful candidates. Candidates may be required to take an IELTS test at the final stage of the selection process. Not all finalists are required to sit a test. However, the interview panel reserves the right to require a test at their discretion. The costs of testing must be met by the candidate.

Costs of the Fellowship are covered by the John Smith Memorial Trust including flights to and from the UK, accommodation and subsistence during the Programme, and the costs of visas.

Programme Objectives

The primary objectives of the John Smith Fellowship Programme are to:

• Bring together influential young civil society and political leaders to exchange views and receive information on best professional practice and the promotion of good governance in areas related to their proposed action plans and in ways that enhance their ability as leaders
• Deepen awareness of how a mature democracy supports and develops good governance, the rule of law, human rights, and social justice, and encourages citizens’ access and government accountability
• Promote a dialogue between Fellows within and outside their home countries, and create links with young leaders and those working in similar fields in the U.K.
• Build an active network of young leaders committed to good government

Programme content

The John Smith Fellowship Programme covers the following broad areas:

• Leadership styles and practices
• Citizenship, law and rights
• Civil society and public opinion
• Policy delivery and Public accountability in government, business and public life

Programme Dates and Structure

The Programme will last for 4 weeks starting on Friday 10th June until Friday 8th July 2011 made up as follows:

• Programme Introduction in Scotland
• An intensive, two-week Seminar Series in Scotland and London on the political process in a mature democracy - a series of workshops with senior politicians, academics and practitioners combined with visits to illustrate how public policy is made and developed.
• Planning and preparation of “individual action plans” setting out how insights gained in the UK can be turned into concrete developments applied at home. Please go to http://www.johnsmithmemorialtrust.org/web/site/home/ActionPlans.asp for 2008 and 2009 Fellows’ action plans.
• A weekend retreat exploring Fellows own qualities as leaders
• Eight working days of individual attachments to suitable organisations – for example, working with an NGO, “shadowing” a politician, a placement in central government, local administration or the media. A full list of all the individuals and organisations that have kindly hosted placements is available at - http://www.johnsmithmemorialtrust.org/web/site/Supporters/attachment_hosts.asp
• A concluding seminar during which Fellows present their projects to representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the John Smith Memorial Trust

Fellows are expected to produce a personal plan of action to be carried out when they return home. Twelve months later a Follow-Up Conference brings all Fellows together to London to report on their activities and compare progress – all Fellows are required to attend this as part of their Fellowship.

Network

The value of networking after the Fellow returns home and seeks to put into practice what he/she has learned is of great importance. On completion of the Fellowship, the John Smith Fellows join the Alumni Network which has organisations covering all the Fellowship countries and provides a forum for cooperation and joint projects.

Candidate Profile - for a full candidate profile please Download PDF

How to apply:

DEADLINE - the deadline for all applications and supporting documents is 31st December 2010

APPLICATION FORM - the application form for the 2011 Fellowship Programme is available here - download Word document

APPLICATION METHOD - applications for the 2011 Programme must be:

1) Completed in English
2) Accompanied by an up to date CV
3) Accompanied by a colour digital passport sized photo

These three items to be emailed to [email protected] as a Microsoft Word document no later than Friday 31st December 2010.

All applicants should include their full name (first name followed by surname) followed by country in the subject heading of the email.

Short listed candidates only:

REFERENCES
In addition to the application form, the John Smith Memorial Trust requires 2 written references for each short listed applicant – one from your current employer and one additional reference. This additional reference might be from a previous employer, a partner organisation or another individual you have worked with who is able to talk in detail about your skills and experience.

TRANSCRIPTS
If short listed, applicants must also provide original or notarised copies of all university transcripts.

ONLINE INTERVIEWS
Where possible and practical the Trust will be conducting interviews via web based video / conference call facilities this year. Please be prepared to be interviewed in this manner. Applicants should be aware that interviews will take place during January and February 2011, and should bear this in mind when planning holidays/travel.

IELTS
Successful interviewees may be asked to sit an English exam at the end of January 2011: A minimum level of IELTS of 6.0 is normally needed for successful candidates. We may require you to take an IELTS test at the final stage of the selection process. This only applies to applicants who have been a) short listed for interview and b) selected by the interview panel for inclusion in our final short list. Not all finalists are required to sit a test. However, the interview panel reserves the right to require a test at their discretion. The costs of this exam and related costs will be covered by the applicant.

Please note that IELTS testing is not an indicator of selection for the John Smith Fellowship Programme. Selection for IELTS testing does not infer that a place on the Fellowship Programme has been secured. Similarly, exemption from IELTS testing does not indicate that the interview has been unsuccessful or that a place on the Fellowship Programme has been secured.

Short listed candidates will be contacted in January 2010. Final selection of candidates will be concluded by end February 2011.