The IRD-Peace Corps Fellowship Program

Project Profile

THE IRD-PEACE CORPS (IRD-PC)

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM offers returned

volunteers who may be considering

careers in international development the

opportunity to expand their knowledge of

sustainable, community-based develop-

ment by working at IRD’s headquarters

with our staff of community development

professionals. Consisting of a three- to

six-month fellowship appointment open

to third-year Peace Corps Volunteers

(including those who have served at least

six months in Peace Corps Response).

PROGRAM GOALS

The primary goal of the IRD-PC Fellowship

program is to strengthen the relationship

between the Peace Corps and IRD by

establishing a forum for the study of

best practices in relief, stabilization, and

development. In addition, the Peace Corps

and IRD hope to create an incentive to

encourage current Peace Corps volunteers

to extend for a third year of public service

in the Peace Corps.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

IRD-PC Fellows receive an unprecedented

opportunity to work with international

relief, stabilization, and development

practitioners of the highest caliber.

Through research and writing, Fellows

not only contribute to improved thought

leadership within the organization, but

will strengthen the overall capacity of IRD

program sectors by providing:

• Research assistance on targeted relief,

stabilization, and development issues.

• Development of “thought leadership” con-

tacts within key development industry, US

government, and international networks.

• Documentation of best practices and

lessons learned through their Peace

Corps experience and new IRD program

assignments.

IRD’S COMMITMENT TO

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

The IRD-PC Fellowship provides participants

with the opportunity to strengthen their

foundational knowledge of international

development through practical, hands-on

experience. Fellows will:

• Apply development theory through

practical work experience in key

program sectors.

• Strengthen their understanding of

sustainable development.

• Expand contacts with development

practitioners and employers through

networking events and engagements

via IRD social media vehicles.

• Receive recognition of these

contributions through publication of

the aforementioned IRD-PC Fellow white

paper on the IRD website and via other

IRD social media vehicles.

SCOPE AND STRUCTURE

Each IRD Fellow will be on a contractual

agreement with IRD for a period of three

to six months, as determined by mutual

agreement or IRD’s needs. Each Fellow will

work at IRD headquarters in Arlington,

Virginia, five days each week and will be

paid a monthly stipend. Each IRD-PC Fellow

will be assigned a program mentor who will

provide guidance and oversee their fellow-

ship activities. Each IRD-PC Fellowship

mentor will develop a concise work plan

illustrating specific performance objectives

IRD was joined by two outstanding

fellows for its inaugural program,

which ran from January to April 2012.

Fellows Mica Jenkins (left) and Mark

Strohbehn (center) stand with Peace

Corps Chief of Staff Stacy Rhodes

during a luncheon at IRD HQ.

to be accomplished by the Fellow on a

weekly or monthly basis. The IRD-PC Fellow

will be encouraged to explore a variety of

career choices, including employment with

other organizations or, as appropriate,

further employment with IRD. Although

day-to-day contact with the IRD-PC Fellows

will be through their IRD mentor, any

contractual or performance issues will be

managed by the IRD Human Resources

Department, including but not limited to

hiring, orientation, and termination.

IRD-PEACE CORPS FELLOWSHIP

APPLICATION PROCESS & QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications: Applicants are required

to have a minimum of a four-year under-

graduate degree and must have completed

a three-year commitment as a Peace Corps

volunteer overseas within two years of the

application deadline. Peace Corps Response

volunteers will be considered providing

their service was for six months or more.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Each Fellow is

chosen by an IRD selection committee,

consisting of the IRD Chief of Program

Operations, relevant IRD Sector Directors,

as well as select IRD Senior Management

Team members. The IRD-PC Fellowship

application consists of the following

required materials:

• Cover Letter: a statement that describes

your interest in the IRD-PC Fellowship

with a defined area of study or sector of

interest. IRD sectors of interest include:

a) Democracy, Governance & Community

Development; b) Community Stabiliza-

tion; c) Sustainable Food and Agriculture;

d) Relief and Humanitarian Assistance;

IRD-PC Fellowship

e) Global Health Hygiene & Nutrition; and

f) Infrastructure Development. Additional

information on each sector is available

on IRD’s website at: www.ird.org.

• Essay: a maximum 1,000-word essay

about a current development issue and

at least one proposed community-based

development approach to help mitigate

the problem. Be sure to include your best

practices from your Peace Corps field

experience, if appropriate, to your topic.

• Resume: Two pages or less, including

an objective and relevant activities

and accomplishments.

• References: Three references from

past employers (one must be your

Peace Corps Country Director), profes-

sors, or international development

thought leaders. Each reference should

include the person’s title, affiliation,

and contact information.

IRD-PEACE CORPS FELLOWSHIP AWARD

Each IRD-PC Fellow receives a stipend of

$3,000 per month for a three- to six-month

period. Fellows are expected to work five

days per work week in support of this

fellowship appointment and are required

to submit IRD time sheets to verify fellow-

ship work has been performed. Note: IRD

reserves the right to withhold stipend

payments for Fellows who do not fulfill

their fellowship obligations.

IRD accepts applications continuously

and appoints Fellows as funds and needs

allow. Please submit all questions and

applications to pcfellows@ird-dc.org.

11/12

IRD is a nonprofit humanitarian, stabilization, and development organization. Our mission

is to reduce the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable groups and provide the tools and

resources needed to increase their self-sufficiency.

INTERNATIONAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT | 1621 NORTH KENT STREET, 4TH FLOOR | ARLINGTON, VA 22209

t 703.248.0161 | f 703.248.0194 | WWW.IRD.ORG

2013 IRD-PC Fellowship ProgramKEY DATES

• January15,2013Applications due

• March15,2013Fellows announced

• May1,2013Fellowship begins

INFORMATIONPCFELLOWS@IRD.ORG