Civil Society Leadership Awards

The Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA) provide fully funded master’s degree study to individuals who clearly demonstrate academic and professional excellence and a deep commitment to leading positive social change in their communities.

CSLA directly assists future leaders in countries where civil society is challenged by a deficit of democratic practice in local governance and social development.

Awards are available for master’s degree study in the following fields at host universities across the world:

• communications and media
• culture, history, and society
• development studies
• economics
• education management and leadership
• environment and natural resource management
• human rights and/or gender studies
• law (including human rights law)
• politics and international studies
• public health policy and health management
• public policy and administration
• social work and social policy

Please see the complete guidelines for a full list of partnering host universities eligible for CSLA awards.

Eligibility Criteria

CSLA does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.  

The awards are available to citizens of the following countries:  

• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Cambodia
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Egypt
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Laos
• Libya
• Myanmar/Burma
• Republic of Congo
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• be a citizen of an eligible country
• demonstrate maturity, flexibility, and civil society leadership potential
• have excellent academic records and an earned bachelor’s degree before applying
• have proficiency in the language of instruction (English, German, or French) at a level required for admission by partner universities, as evidenced by standardized language test scores
• be able to participate in an intensive academic writing program in July or August 2017 and start their degree program in August or September 2017
• be able to receive and maintain a visa or study permit as required by the host country
• demonstrate a clear commitment to return to their home country or region to continue supporting open society development

Ineligibility Criteria

CSLA does not support:

• fields of study not listed above
• applicants from any country not listed above
• study in foreign language teaching, business administration or management, physical sciences, engineering, or medical sciences
• dependent family members
• those receiving individual grants from CSLA-affiliated entities during the fellowship period
• applicants who are employees of CSLA-affiliated entities directly involved in the administration of scholarship programs

Purpose and Priorities

Competition for the Civil Society Leadership Awards is open and merit-based. Selection is based on an applicant’s fit with the program’s objectives as well the graduate admissions criteria of the participating universities. Academic excellence, professional aptitude, leadership potential in the field of specialization, proven commitment to open society values, and appropriate language proficiency are all important factors in evaluation.

All eligible applicants will be reviewed by an international selection committee. The proposed field of study should be logical for the goals expressed in the essays, and the application itself should be organized and complete. Compelling candidates will be interviewed by a selection committee comprised of university representatives, CSLA staff, and partner organization representatives, such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Guidelines

Interested applicants must complete and submit an online or paper CSLA application in English to be considered for CSLA support. Please note that some universities require a separate application for graduate study at that institution. In these cases, Open Society will notify candidates and assist with the university application process.

Online Application

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for the CSLA scholarship online. Please register and then follow the instructions.

Paper Application

The application and reference forms can be found in the Download Files section of this page. Please download the application form before completing or printing.

Electronic applications and all supporting materials should be submitted to csla@infoscholar.org by September 15, 2016. More instructions on how to submit the application and references are included in the complete guidelines and frequently asked questions. Please submit any queries using the inquiry form.

The ICRC is seeking candidates with specific language skills

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is looking for a number of candidates with language skills in Amharic, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, Pashto and Somali. Their role will be to work as interpreters for the ICRC in their dialogue with detainees, with authorities and other interlocutors in the field. Applicants do not have to be certified interpreters, but they need a very good command of the given language. Please make sure that you read the constraints related to nationality and that you fulfil all requirements before applying.

Please note: 

Due to the interpreter’s sensitive and important role when the ICRC is operating in conflict and post-conflict environments, there are strict nationality requirements when recruiting these positions. Owing to the ICRC’s working procedures and principles, in particular the principle of neutrality, the ICRC cannot assign personnel to a country of which they are a national.

About ICRC - The International Committee of the Red Cross

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was founded in 1863 and is a humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. The ICRC is a three-time Nobel Prize Laureate and is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and is one of the most widely recognized organizations in the whole world.

The ICRC is an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence. It takes action in response to emergencies and at the same time promotes respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in national law. Read more about the amazing work of ICRC here.

ICRC is currently looking to recruit interpreters!

Please click on the link to read more about the job and the specific requirements.

• Interpreters in Kirundi (based in Bujumbura, Burundi)
• Interpreters in Kinyarwanda (based in Rwanda)
• Interpreters in Pashtu (based in Afghanistan)
• Interpreters in Hausa (based in Abuja, Nigeria)
• Interpreters in Amharic (based in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia)
• Interpreters in Somali

For other languages see this link

Your task as Interpreters

• Oral interpretation: from the given language to English, and English to the given language during confidential interviews with people deprived of liberty, ICRC institutional dissemination, ICRC dialogue with authorities, activities to establish the family links, including Red Cross Messages delivery, family tracing and visits to families of detainees
• Written translation: translation of the given language (newspaper articles, correspondence, etc.) into written English
• Analysis and reporting: analysis of conditions of detention, security and other matters relating to the ICRC's mandate

To get more insight into humanitarian career and the roles and life of the ICRC staff in operational contexts: Watch this video about working for the ICRC as interpreter.  

Selection requirements

• Ideal age: 25 to 50,
• Prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for the first two missions (minimum 12 months each)
• Having a degree in interpretation or translation is an asset, not a requirement
• Having 2 years of professional experience as interpreter or translator is an asset, not a requirement
• Excellent command of English
• Very good command of the given language
• A good grasp of French is an asset
• Familiarity with word processing and spreadsheet software
• Driving license (a license for automatic-transmission vehicles only is not sufficient)

Your profile

• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
• Open-minded and adaptable, able to work in a team
• Neat appearance, good speaker, well-developed writing and summarizing skills
• Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment

What the ICRC offer

• An opportunity to help the victims of conflict
• Engrossing, rewarding work in unusual situations
• Ample support in integrating into the new working environment
• Institutional training

Interested in a career at the ICRC? Read more here.