The Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP) Fellowship 2024/2025

Application Deadline: 6 June, 2024

The Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP) Fellowship is a personal and professional leadership development accelerator for emerging talent in foreign policy. Six YPFP Fellows will have a unique opportunity to develop, construct, and implement a strategy and execution for an organization that has significant impact for thousands of young professionals around the world.

The six fellows will serve as YPFP’s Senior Leadership Team and provide leadership and direction to YPFP’s volunteer staff. Fellows will receive a stipend for their leadership in the management of YPFP.

Candidate Eligibility

YPFP seeks to engage rising leaders in the fields of foreign policy, international affairs, national security, and/or and nonprofit management. To qualify, candidates must:

Demonstrate exceptional professional, communication, and organizational skills

Demonstrate proven leadership abilities and a strong desire to leave a lasting impact on YPFP

Be committed to actively participating in and contributing to the YPFP community for the full duration of the Fellowship (18 months)

Model and uphold YPFP’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Possess a passion for public service and social change

Have 3-5 years of experience and the ability to commit 10-20 hours each week to the YPFP Fellowship. 

Be located in one of YPFP branch cities.   

Be between the ages of 22-32

Fellowship Experience

YPFP’s 2025 Fellowship launches in July 2024, and lasts for a duration of eighteen months, serving around 10-20 hours per week. Fellows can expect to take part in personal leadership development opportunities, to include:

Routine weekly/quarterly meetings

Monthly leadership coaching

Workshops on managing teams and strategic planning

Community-building events

Fellowship Functional Areas

Each Fellow will be aligned to a specific operational component of YPFP, including:

• President: Responsible for oversight of all volunteer staff and programs, effective coordination and execution of the fellowship program, and relationship management with the YPFP Board of Directors and Globally staff.
• Communications Fellow: Responsible for oversight of all YPFP Communications volunteer staff, communications products, and global communications strategy.
• Programs and Events Fellow: Responsible for oversight of all YPFP Programs volunteer staff including Discussion Group and Event staff, structuring new programs for the YPFP community, and supporting global event coordination.
• Finance and Operations Fellow: Responsible for oversight of effective operations and financial health through coordination with Globally staff on areas for fundraising, membership, and workstream management for YPFP fellows and volunteer staff.
• Global Coordination Fellow: Responsible for oversight of global branch management and establishing and executing global strategy by working with YPFP branch managing directors around the world and supporting all coordination of global activities.
• Publications Fellow: Responsible for oversight and strategy of YPFP publications and “amplification” programs for the YPFP community, including the YPFP Publishing Fellowship and Charged Affairs journal.

Fellowship Timeline

Phase 1: Planning

In Phase 1 of the fellowship, the cohort will work to define roles and digest legacy systems and processes.

During this phase, fellows will produce a YPFP Strategic Plan that will outline organizational goals and ensure that departments are appropriately staffed with volunteer team members in support of these goals. Fellows will also oversee the existing programs and activities being implemented by YPFP volunteers.

Leadership Development Curriculum: Leading Self

Phase 2: Operationalizing

In Phase 2 of the fellowship, the cohort will operationalize the strategic plan to run the organization and execute the goals that were laid out in Phase 1.

They will capitalize on efficiencies and identify lessons learned throughout this phase and are responsible for documenting operating procedures to ensure continuity of operations.

Leadership Development Curriculum: Leading Others

Phase 3: Transitioning

Phase 3 is divided into two sub-phases.

During Phase 3.1, the cohort will build, launch, and execute the recruiting and application process for the next cohort. Based on their experience gained in the last year, the cohort will craft a succession plan that builds on their achievements and challenges.

During Phase 3.2, the cohort will train the incoming cohort and transition responsibilities.

Leadership Development Curriculum: Leading Teams

Key dates

• Start of application: 6 May, 2024
• End of application: 6 June, 2024
• Start of Fellowship: July 2024
• End of Fellowship: December 2025 Duration: 18 months

More Info: Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP) Fellowship