Deadline: 30-Sep-21
Pact is launching the Mekong Connections: Supporting Governance, Transparency and Local Voices – Health Security Fellowship. It is a three-year program that seeks to strengthen civil society’s role in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.
The program comprising a cohort of rising talent among early- and mid-career professionals focused on researching policy on a variety of subjects. Fellows will be paired with a mentor in the region from respected research or policy groups, to help them develop and expand their areas of research. Fellows also will have opportunities for peer-to-peer learning with each other via organized events held either in-person as conditions permit or online.
The program is supported by the U.S. Department of State and the Mekong-U.S. Partnership and focuses on governance and transparency in public decision-making in three areas:
- Water and water-related ecosystems of Mekong, Ayeyarwady, and other rivers;
- Combating conservation crimes, including wildlife and timber trafficking, illegal mining, and illegal fishing; and,
- Improving health security: increasing the region’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, especially using the ‘One Health’ approach that recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health.
Objectives
The primary objectives of the Mekong Connections Policy Fellowship are to:
- enhance and develop regional networks to connect community perspectives and recommendations to central policy debates in the Mekong region and further support civic and policy leaders; and
- share lessons learned and best practices on transboundary challenges in the Mekong.
Each fellow will be required to deliver three op-ed pieces or policy papers, of which all must include policy recommendation(s), to connect community perspectives to policy debate, and which can be published in reputable media outlets. Over the course of the Fellowship, pieces should cover topics at the community, national, and regional levels.
Eligibility Criteria
- Experience with research on policy on the topics
- Early- and mid-career professionals, at least 5 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree or 3 years with a Master’s degree
- Able to complete their proposed research within 9 months
- Be citizen of one of the 5 Mekong countries
- Applicants shall currently be from non-profit, civil society organizations, or other nongovernment organizations or capacities
For more information, visit https://www.pactworld.org/country/thailand/procurement