The prestigious William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service in India is inviting applications for the program commencing in Fall 2012.  While the original application cycle ended in November 2011, they have temporarily opened up a special call for fellows through July 4 who will be willing to serve in Amritsar, Punjab for a very interesting culture program.  It is an opportunity for Punjabi speaking individuals in the diaspora, between the ages of 21 and 34 to contribute to cross-border cultural appreciation among children and act as catalyst for preservation of Punjabi and Sikh culture.  Fellows will be paid a monthly stipend, have their visa arrangements made through the America India Foundation, have their travel fully paid and have various travel opportunities as part of the fellowship.

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a number of great causes and initiatives while gaining deep knowledge of Punjabi folk culture.

Applicants must be fluent speakers of Punjabi.

Please see the Call for Applications below for further information.

William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service in India
Punjabi Culture Fellow • Class of 2012-13

Overview
The American India Foundation’s William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service in India is committed to developing the next generation of leaders committed to impactful change. Through AIF’s 10 month Fellowship in India, Clinton Fellows are equipped with a practical, field-based knowledge of development in the fields of education, livelihoods, public health, and social enterprise. The Fellowship pairs a select number of highly skilled young professionals with leading NGOs and social enterprises in India in order to accelerate impact and create effective projects that are replicable, scalable, and sustainable. Together, AIF’s Clinton Fellows and development sector leaders form dynamic partnerships to exchange technical skills and knowledge, as well as their passion, commitment, and new ways of looking at the world – ultimately transforming both the individual and organization. Since 2001, 265 young professionals have worked with over 115 Indian NGOs and social enterprises through the Fellowship.  Alumni are leaders in international development, academia, journalism, entrepreneurship, public health, and other fields. Together they represent a collective force for sustaining a long-term agenda dedicated towards change in India.

In 2012, AIF has launched its newest project, “Our Family, Our Neighborhood, Our World,” (O3), an innovative cross-cultural exchange project between young people in India-Punjab and Pakistan-Punjab that combines the global (interactive media) with the local (Punjabi arts traditions) to build intercultural understanding and civic engagement. AIF has partnered with Guru Nanak Dev University and the 1947 Partition Archive for a special Clinton Fellow working in the fields of oral history, folk culture, and community engagement.

Fellowship Scope of Work
The Clinton Fellow will engage in several discrete but interrelated projects throughout the Fellowship that align with the objectives of the partners. The primary focus of the Fellowship will be on Punjabi folk culture through the following projects:

Collection of folklore and oral history, including

• Folktales, legends, and other Punjabi and Sikh traditions in local villages
• Partition stories
• Training and facilitation of O3 project activities and workshops in performing arts and media production directly in participating schools, with both teachers and students
• Community engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including NGOs, cultural associations, artists, and scholars

The terms of this Fellowship will be September 2012 – June 2013 as part of the AIF annual class of Clinton Fellows, which includes international travel, monthly stipend, NGO mentors, and AIF staff support. The Fellowship placement will be located in Amritsar, Punjab. More information on the Fellowship can be found by visiting http://www.aif.org/w-j-clinton-fellowship

Selection Criteria
In order to apply for the Fellowship, candidates MUST meet the following basic criteria:

• Citizen / permanent resident of the United States or citizen of India
• Be between the ages of 21 and 34 on September 1, 2013
• Have completed an undergraduate degree prior to September 1, 2013

The selection committee takes into account several critical factors in assessing if a candidate is a good fit with our Fellowship program and shows a high potential for success, including the following criteria:

• General knowledge of the development field and development issues in India*
• Ability to demonstrate a humble appreciation of other cultures and circumstances, and a willingness to acclimate to these differences
• Thoughtful consideration for the role the Fellowship experience will play in their life
• Ability and willingness to independently and creatively find ways to be helpful at their host organization
• Flexibility and adaptability to challenging living and working conditions

As this Fellowship requires frequent travel and interaction with locals, fluency in Punjabi language is essential.

Application Process
Candidates must complete the application by visiting:

https://americanindiafoundationportal.secure.force.com/?page=JobApplicationPage&JobSite=default&p=Candidate&JobIds=a0KF00000067nWx

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JULY 4, 2012

Applicants selected for interview will be contacted for an interview shortly after the deadline. For more information, contact Drew Foxman at 408.916.1978 or drew.foxman@aif.org