Commonwealth Youth Programme
Regional Centre for Asia
Youth Internship Programme
Chandigarh (India)
The Commonwealth Youth Programme Regional Centre for Asia
(CYP Asia) invites applications from young graduates aged
20 – 29 throughout Commonwealth Asia for the post
of Commonwealth Intern with the CYP Asia, Chandigarh (India).
The job will involve assisting Programme managers in three
CYP Programme Strategic areas i.e. (i) Youth enterprise
and sustainable livelihoods, (ii) Youth work, education
and training and (iii) Governance, development and youth
networks. This position is for six months with the possibility
of renewal of contract for a total of 12 months.
The programme enhances the organisational, planning and
logistical skills of the interns and provides the host organisation,
Commonwealth Youth Programme Regional Centre for Asia (CYP
Asia) and partners, with a talented young Commonwealth citizen
to participate in the development and implementation of
youth projects/programmes. Furthermore, the scope and level
of CYP Asia’s and its partners’ activities is
such that the interns will gain exposure and experience,
not widely available during their educational careers.
Objectives of the CYP Asia Youth Internship Programme:
• To bridge the gap between formal education and
a career;
• To inject creativity, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial
ideas to empower young people to develop their career goals
and to gain valuable experience;
• To provide participants with an international perspective
of youth development;
• To assist young professionals in enhancing their
current skills and developing new ones; and
• To ensure the presence and continual programme development
input of young Commonwealth citizens.
The Commonwealth Youth Programme largely focuses on the
entrepreneurial development of young people as a strategy
for their economic development and participation and the
professionalisation of youth development work. CYP Asia
also focuses on strengthening of youth networks and governance
structures for mainstreaming of youth issues and concerns,
and the enhancement of youth participation and involvement
in the decision making and development processes at all
levels.
Application Process
Candidates interested in the job should submit the following
information either electronically or in a hard copy as per
details below:
1. Copy of current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Letter of support from the government ministry/agency
responsible for youth (desirable but not essential).
3. A write–up not exceeding two pages indicating the
following:
• Why you are seeking an international attachment
and what qualities you possess that would support a successful
placement;
• How your participation in this programme fits into
your future career goals;
• What skills you have from any previous volunteer
work or educational experience;
• Any international experience either through travelling,
living or volunteering abroad; and
• How you will prepare and adapt to living and working
in a new culture and country.
4. A legible photocopy of your passport, birth certificate
or residency status – to verify age and citizenship
status.
5. Completed application form (attached) with one recent
passport size photograph.
6. Two letters of reference.
Please submit these documents clearly marked to
Regional Director: Commonwealth Internship Programme by
5th January, 2007 at the following:
Mail: Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia
Centre
Sector-12, Chandigarh (India)
Pin-160012
Fax: 0091 172 2745426 and 2744902
Tel: 0091 172 2744482, 2745505
E-mail: admin@cypasia.net or admin@cypasia.org
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(Please read guidelines carefully before
completing the application form)
Participant’s Responsibilities
All participants must:
• Share in the realisation of the
programme’s objectives
• Agree to a pre and post internship assessment of
skills
• Carry out tasks outlined in their placement
• Respect duration of the internship and fulfil the
term of the placement (Note: vacation is not part of the
placement, unless prior arrangements are made with the CYP
Asia. In general, any time off should be arranged in advance
with consent of CYP Asia.
• Take responsibility for and contribute to the objectives
of the internship.
• Manage their funds in a responsible manner, including
returning any funds, which they have not earned should they
leave their internship early.
• Submit to CYP Asia written reports at six weeks,
the mid point of their placement and at the end of their
internship.
• Contribute to the cost of their internship as outlined
below in the section entitled “Participants Finances
and Budget Responsibilities”
CYP Asia’s Responsibilities:
• Recruit participants according to
eligibility guidelines
• Develop agreements with participants;
• Carry out pre and post placement skills assessment
of the selected participants;
• Provide a monthly stipend;
• Provide ongoing guidance and support for the duration
of the internship;
• Provide full-time career development experience
for the participant of between 6 – 12 months;
• Provide necessary office space and equipment/s;
• Provide suitable hostel accommodation to participant
in the campus, if required;
• Develop an activity plan in collaboration with the
intern;
• Take reasonable precautions to ensure a safe and
secure placement environment free from harassment; and
• Provide the intern and the host government/organisation
with regular updates by and provide two written reports
– one at the mid-point of the placement and one at
the conclusion of the internship.
Participant Preparation before departure
Part of the preparation for the internship
involves participation in a pre-departure briefing by e.mail/telephone.
The briefing introduces participants to the Commonwealth
Secretariat, as well as providing information on travel
and health issues, adaptation and country specific information.
Participant Finances and Budget Responsibilities
While CYP Asia is responsible for assisting
the participants to cover the cost of their living expenses
while they are involved in the programme, applicants should
be aware that not all their costs would be covered by the
stipend. Preparations costs such as immunisations, extended
health insurance, trip cancellation and items of a personal
nature, for instance, will be the responsibility of the
participant.
Expenses to consider while living abroad:
• Health insurance
• Trip cancellation
• Immunisations
• Accommodation (if you opt out of the CYP Asia hostel
accommodation arrangement)
• Food (if you opt out of CYP Asia Canteen)
• Culture and entertainment
• Communication – phone and fax.
• Local transportation
• Miscellaneous items of a personal nature
Payment
Participants will receive a monthly stipend
for the period of their internship. This is payable monthly
in arrears. The current monthly consolidated stipend is
as under:
Graduates: Rs. 6,500, Post Graduates: Rs.
7,000, Doctorates or Professional: Rs. 7,500
Other Benefits
• Participants are required to work
six days a week and are also entitled to one day paid leave
per month.
• Reimbursement of 3 tier AC train fare to participants
from India for their travel at the time of joining and leaving
the internship programme. Return 3 tier AC train ticket
as part of home leave to visit home town on one extension
i.e. service beyond first six months. In case of participants
from other seven member Asia commonwealth countries reimbursement
on excursion economy class airfare will be considered in
deserving cases.
• Participants while on official mission will be entitled
to daily travel and subsistence allowance as per travel
policy in place from time to time.
• Personal accident insurance cover for Rs. One lakh
during the period of internship.
• Furnished One Room Accommodation at CYP Asia Hostel
at concessional rate.
Please visit website www. thecommonwealth.org/cyp
or www.cypasia.org for more information on CYP work.
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