Thursday, November 17, 2011

Call for Applications: TIS Scholarship to Attend the Women’s Peace Leadership Academic Cohort Program at the Eastern Mennonite University


The Transition Initiatives for Stabilization (TIS), funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), responds to the complex crisis that has evolved in Somalia and self-declared region of Somaliland.

The overall program goal is to mitigate conflict; to promote stability and community cohesion, and to strengthen citizens’ relationships with their government officials. The TIS program supports quick-impact, results-based activities to demonstrate the positive impact of the political reconciliation process.

TIS is offering four (4) scholarships to qualified Somali women to attend the “Women’s Peace Leadership Academic Cohort Program” at the Center for Justice and Peace Building (CJP) in Eastern Mennonite University in the USA. This is a two (2) year Graduate Certificate program which is set to begin in May 2012.

The program will inculcate knowledge of peace building theory and practical skills in the learners and provide guiding frameworks, theories, and other peace and conflict management tools to enhance their peace building efforts within Somalia. The program will include three (3) courses in the US and two (2) courses in the region.

The program will target women peace building practitioners in Somalia who are recognized in their community as possessing leadership potential and dedication to their community.
The Center for Justice and Peace building (CJP) at Eastern Mennonite University equips and sustains individuals, groups and communities to work for justice and peace through education, training, practice and research. CJP pursues this mission by using an integrated model for long-term, deep-rooted change that includes conflict transformation, restorative justice, trauma healing, reconciliation, development, and leadership

Interested candidates must possess the following qualifications.
1. Must be Somalis or Kenyan Somalis working in Somalia.
2. A 4-year Undergraduate degree, preferably in the social sciences. Candidates who do not meet this criteria but have undergraduate work of at least two years and meet the following other requirements may be considered; (1) A reference from a former undergraduate professor or from a professional person/ institution who can attest to your professional capacity in the peace-building field, preferably their current work, (2) demonstration of a solid performance in the field of conflict transformation, restorative justice or related fields.
3. Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 (based on a four-point scale).
4. Must have excellent written and spoken English.
5. Applicants must demonstrate leadership or leadership potential.
6. Must be supported and recommended by a local organization or community and other peace building actors. If working, must be able to obtain the required time to attend the course by the employer

How to apply
All interested applicants should submit; two letters of recommendation; official university transcripts; a current resume or CV; and a two-page essay outlining why the applicant is interested in the program and how she hopes to use the degree. (For non-baccalaureate admissions, a 4-5 page essay is required which will include how the applicant’s life experiences have prepared her for graduate-level study.

The application citing ‘’Women Cohort” in the subject line should be emailed to TIS@dai.com by 25th November 2011.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.