2009 John Smith Fellows in front of the 10 Downing Street © John McConvile    

John Smith Memorial Trust Website       

Application Form   

Frequently asked questions       

Darwin Now    

Promoting Democracy and Good Governance    

The deadline for all applications for the John Smith Fellowship Programme 2011 was 31 December 2010. The application process is now closed.

Guidelines for Applicants
THE JOHN SMITH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME 2011

PLEASE NOTE: ALL APPLICATIONS FOR JOHH SMITH FELLOWSHIPS MUST BE EMAILED DIRECTLY TO THE JOHN SMITH FELLOWSHIP TRUST IN LONDON AND NOT EMAILED OR POSTED TO BRITISH COUNCIL OFFICES.

ALL ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE APPLICATION PROCESS SHOULD BE EMAILED TO applications@johnsmithtrust.org.

THE COMPLELTED APPLICATION FORM SHOULD BE EMAILED TO applications@johnsmithtrust.org.

The John Smith Memorial Trust is inviting applications to participate in the John Smith Fellowship Programme 2011. The application process is promoted by the British Council on behalf of the John Smith Memorial Trust. It is administered by the JSMT in London.

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

The Fellowships aim 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.

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 UK    
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 click here for 2009 and 2010 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 here.    
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. 12 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. This will take place during the 2011 Fellowship Programme.

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
The Trust wishes to recruit high-flying and influential young leaders who will make a substantial impact on the future development of their countries. The aim is to recruit a mix of political leaders, government or local government officials, business leaders, journalists/media/arts experts, and influential young leaders from civil society or the NGO sector. Other criteria for suitability are:

Understanding of the Fellowship Programme: Applicants must have a clear understanding of what our Programme involves and what is expected of participants. We recommend that candidates approach a former John Smith Fellow to find out about the programme and utilise the John Smith Memorial Trust Facebook Group network.   
Age: Successful applicants are normally in the range of 25–40 years of age, with flexibility at both ends for strong candidates.   
Language proficiency: English at IELTS level 6 or above or equivalent. Note: You do not need to submit test results when applying and not everyone is required to sit the test – See “How to Apply” below.   
Experience: Candidates should have work experience, MUST be in employment at the time of application, and MUST be able to demonstrate that they are dealing with challenging issues in one or more of the specified fields. Note: All employers’ references will be checked for short listed candidates.   
Professional background: Candidates should be employed in politics, central government, local government or economic development, business, the arts, the media, the law (especially in field of human rights) or the NGO sector.   
Demonstrable leadership and influence now or in future: Candidates should be people who have real prospects of making a difference in their society.    
Activism in political/social development: Candidates must show evidence of active participation in politics or civil society, and point to accomplishments.    
Clear vision and motivation: Candidates must have a clear vision of the need for improvements in the practice of governance in their countries   
Would use experience in UK to improve governance: They must have clear proposals on how, in their own work, they hope to use their experience to improve the practice of governance.    
Team players: Successful candidates must be team players with a desire to work with and learn from other Fellows.   
Good presentational skills: Candidates should be confident in speaking and should be able to present themselves well   
Computer literacy: Basic IT skills and an ability to communicate by email are essential.    

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.

APPLICATION METHOD
Applications for the 2011 Programme must be completed in English and comprise of:

the completed application form   
an up to date CV   
a colour digital passport sized photo    

These three items to be emailed to applications@johnsmithtrust.org no later than Friday 31st December 2010.

When submitting your application please include details of where you heard about the Fellowship Programme.

Please do not submit forms to British Council or in country representatives as only applications to the email above will be accepted.

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

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 local interviews will take place during January and February 2011, and should bear this in mind when planning holidays/travel.

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 shortlisted applicants must also provide original or notarised copies of all university transcripts.

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.

Final selection of candidates will be concluded by end February 2011.

INFORMATION
More information about the John Smith Fellowship Programme and the work of the John Smith Memorial Trust is available here.

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