Liberia Governance and Justice Initiative (LGJI) Fellowship Program
The Liberia Governance and Justice Initiative (LGJI) is launching a comprehensive 24-month Fellowship Program designed to attract professionals, scholars, and leaders committed to advancing governance, justice, and sustainable development in Liberia. This fellowship aims to drive research, build capacity, and foster leadership in key sectors critical to Liberia’s development.
Fellows will work in both Liberia and at LGJI Headquarters, gaining unique opportunities to engage in international travel, educational and leadership exchanges, and benefit from local and international training opportunities provided by LGJI. This program not only focuses on research but also includes hands-on work, as fellows will help implement LGJI’s capacity-building programs that provide on-the-job training to public sector and civil society institutions or individuals in Liberia.
Fellowship Program Structure
The LGJI Fellowship Program is structured to provide 24 months of intensive training and research opportunities, funded by partnerships with the Government of Liberia, regional bodies, the United Nations, the US Government, philanthropic organizations, and private investors. Fellows will be immersed in policy analysis, technical research, monitoring, and reporting, directly contributing to Liberia’s national development.
Fellowship Award Details
The tentative award amount per year will be determined based on available funding. Final fellowship award amounts will be announced during the calls for fellowship applications following the securing of funding.
Fellowship Areas
Public Sector Governance Fellows
The Public Sector Governance Fellows will focus on improving governance frameworks and building capacity within Liberia’s public institutions. Fellows will:
- Conduct technical audits of public sector governance and identify reform opportunities.
- Work with public sector officials to improve transparency and accountability.
- Develop and implement capacity-building programs that provide on-the-job training for government personnel.
- Engage in leadership exchanges with international governance institutions and participate in training programs aimed at enhancing public administration practices.
This fellowship is ideal for those with experience in public administration, political science, and governance reform.
Justice & Rule of Law Fellows
The Justice & Rule of Law Fellows will work to strengthen Liberia’s judicial system and promote access to justice for all citizens. Their work will include:
- Researching gaps in Liberia’s legal and judicial systems, with a focus on post-conflict justice mechanisms.
- Partnering with Liberia’s law schools to develop legal education and capacity-building programs.
- Supporting civil society and human rights organizations to enhance their advocacy efforts.
- Participating in international legal exchanges and training with global legal institutions to apply best practices in Liberia’s justice reform.
This fellowship is designed for legal professionals, human rights advocates, and scholars in law and transitional justice.
Trade & Investment Fellows
The Trade & Investment Fellows will focus on promoting economic development in Liberia through trade and investment strategies. Fellows will:
- Analyze trade policies and identify opportunities for foreign direct investment (FDI) in key sectors.
- Work with Liberia’s academic institutions to create capacity-building programs for entrepreneurs and business leaders.
- Engage with international trade organizations to develop best practices for Liberia’s trade and investment landscape.
- Participate in global economic exchanges and leadership programs that foster international business partnerships.
This fellowship is ideal for economists, trade experts, and professionals with experience in private sector development or international trade.
Diaspora Engagement Fellows
The Diaspora Engagement Fellows will focus on maximizing the contributions of the Liberian diaspora toward the nation’s development. Fellows will:
- Conduct research on the socio-economic impact of the diaspora and develop programs that facilitate diaspora engagement in Liberia.
- Partner with diaspora organizations and universities abroad to develop exchange programs that promote remittance investment and skills transfer.
- Collaborate with Liberian civil society and government stakeholders to implement capacity-building programs focused on engaging diaspora communities in national development.
- Participate in international exchanges and leadership training with diaspora engagement organizations across the globe.
This fellowship is ideal for professionals with experience in diaspora engagement, migration policy, and international development.
Fellowship Benefits
The LGJI Fellowship Program provides fellows with:
- A 24-month tenure of immersive professional experience and global engagement.
- Opportunities to work across Liberia and at LGJI Headquarters and engage in international travel and educational exchanges.
- Participation in local and international LGJI training programs aimed at enhancing leadership and technical skills.
- Access to global networks of experts in governance, justice, trade, and diaspora engagement.
- The opportunity to implement capacity-building programs and provide on-the-job training to public sector and civil society organizations in Liberia.
- Competitive financial compensation, mentoring, and professional development support.
Fellowship Outcomes
At the conclusion of their 24-month fellowship, LGJI Fellows will:
- Produce high-quality research reports, policy recommendations, and publications that contribute to Liberia’s governance and development strategies.
- Build the capacity of public sector and civil society organizations through training programs and policy implementation support.
- Contribute to national development by engaging in strategic advocacy, capacity building, and leadership exchanges both locally and internationally.
- Expand LGJI’s mission of promoting good governance, rule of law, economic development, and diaspora engagement in Liberia and abroad.
Partnerships with Educational Institutions
To maximize the impact of the fellowship program, LGJI will partner with Liberia’s two law schools—University of Liberia and Cuttington University—along with leading universities and think tanks both in Liberia and internationally. These partnerships will:
- Enable fellows to collaborate with academic leaders and contribute to Liberia’s intellectual and institutional development.
- Provide fellows with access to cutting-edge research and educational resources that enhance their ability to address Liberia’s most pressing governance and justice challenges.
- Facilitate joint training programs, academic exchanges, and research opportunities that strengthen Liberia’s human resource capacity in governance, law, and economic development.
Call for Applications
Funders and Donor Appeal
By funding the LGJI Fellowship Program, donors, sponsors, and funders will directly contribute to the development of Liberia’s governance, justice, and economic sectors. With a focus on leadership development, capacity building, and research, funders will:
- Support on-the-ground research and policy recommendations that can shape the future of Liberia’s public sector and economic development.
- Foster global knowledge exchange and leadership development among emerging leaders and experts working on Liberia’s growth.
- Gain recognition as key stakeholders in Liberia’s transformation, with opportunities to engage in national and international advocacy efforts and partnership networks.
- Contribute to sustainable national development in Liberia, with a direct impact on its governance and justice systems.
Conclusion
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