Call for Applications: Mid-Career Course for Fiscal Year 2026

The Mid-Career Course FY2026 is a professional development programme organized by Hiroshima University under Japan’s Program for Global Human Resource Development for Peacebuilding and Development (PHRD). The programme is designed for mid-level professionals seeking to strengthen their leadership, management, and career development skills while expanding their professional networks in the peacebuilding and development sectors.

The course combines leadership training, resilience-building, peer learning, and networking opportunities, drawing inspiration from Hiroshima’s history of peace and reconstruction. Participants who successfully complete the programme receive a Certificate of Completion and become eligible to join the Global Peace and Development Career Network (GPAD).

About the Mid-Career Course FY2026

The Mid-Career Course is an intensive short-term training programme designed to enhance the professional capabilities of experienced practitioners working in peacebuilding and international development.

The programme supports professionals by helping them:

• Develop leadership skills.
• Strengthen managerial and decision-making competencies.
• Build effective professional career narratives.
• Learn resilience and transformation lessons from Hiroshima’s experience.
• Exchange knowledge with international peers.
• Expand professional networks across the peacebuilding and development community.

The course is delivered entirely in English.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Develop future leaders in peacebuilding and development.
• Enhance leadership and management capacity.
• Improve career planning for mid-level professionals.
• Promote international collaboration and peer learning.
• Strengthen professional networks across sectors.
• Inspire participants through Hiroshima’s experience of peacebuilding and recovery.

Course Schedule

The programme consists of two components:

Online Pre-Training

• December 2026

Participants complete preparatory online sessions before attending the in-person training.

Residential Training

• 7 January – 13 January 2027
• Location: Hiroshima University, Japan

Approximately 20 participants will be selected.

Training Language

All lectures, discussions, workshops, and programme activities will be conducted in:

• English

Why This Programme Matters

Professionals working in peacebuilding and development often require leadership, strategic thinking, and international collaboration skills to address complex global challenges.

This programme helps participants:

• Build stronger leadership capabilities.
• Improve management and communication skills.
• Learn practical approaches to resilience and conflict transformation.
• Connect with professionals from different countries.
• Expand opportunities for future careers with international organisations.
• Join a long-term professional alumni network.

Financial Support

Participation Fee

• No participation fee is charged.
• The programme is free for both Japanese and international participants.

Support for International Participants

The programme covers:

• Accommodation during the training period.
• Transportation between designated arrival airports (Tokyo, Osaka, or Fukuoka) and Hiroshima.
• Travel between Higashi-Hiroshima and Tokyo.

Expenses Not Covered

International participants must cover:

• International airfare to Japan.
• Return travel from Japan to their home country.
• Meals and food expenses.
• Personal expenses.
• Other costs not specifically covered by the programme.

Costs for Japanese Participants

Japanese participants are responsible for:

• Accommodation.
• Domestic transportation.
• Food expenses.

Estimated personal cost:

• Approximately 120,000 Japanese Yen.

Who Is Eligible?

Applications are open to professionals from various sectors worldwide.

Eligible applicants include professionals from:

• International organisations.
• Government agencies.
• Public sector institutions.
• Private sector organisations.
• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
• Non-profit organisations (NPOs).

Applicants must:

• Have at least 7 years of professional experience in peacebuilding and/or development.
• Demonstrate fluency in English.
• Have a strong interest in careers related to peacebuilding and development.
• Be interested in working with the United Nations or other international organisations.
• Commit to attending the entire programme.

Previous experience with the United Nations or international organisations is not required.

Selection Process

Applications are assessed based on:

• Professional background.
• Relevant work experience.
• Motivation.
• Leadership potential.
• Application documents.

Applicants whose primary working language is not English may be invited to complete:

• An online English proficiency assessment.

Participant Responsibilities

Selected participants are expected to:

• Attend all online and in-person sessions.
• Participate actively throughout the programme.
• Complete daily evaluations.
• Submit the final programme evaluation.
• Respond to follow-up surveys after course completion.

Full participation is mandatory.

Programme Benefits

Participants will gain:

• Leadership development training.
• Professional management skills.
• Career development guidance.
• International networking opportunities.
• Peer learning with professionals from different countries.
• Exposure to Hiroshima’s peacebuilding experience.
• Certificate of Completion.
• Eligibility to join the Global Peace and Development Career Network (GPAD).

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Review all eligibility requirements.
2. Prepare the required application documents.
3. Complete the official application form.
4. Submit the application before the programme deadline.
5. Participate in an English assessment if requested.
6. Wait for the final selection results.

Successful applicants will receive further instructions regarding pre-training and travel arrangements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without the required seven years of professional experience.
• Submitting incomplete application documents.
• Underestimating the English language requirement.
• Failing to demonstrate commitment to peacebuilding and development.
• Ignoring programme attendance requirements.
• Assuming international airfare and meals are covered by the programme.

Carefully reviewing the funding coverage and eligibility requirements before applying can help avoid common issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Mid-Career Course FY2026?

It is an international professional development programme organized by Hiroshima University to strengthen leadership and management skills among mid-level professionals in peacebuilding and development.

Who can apply?

Professionals from international organisations, government agencies, NGOs, NPOs, and the private sector with at least seven years of relevant professional experience may apply.

Where will the programme take place?

The in-person training will be held at Hiroshima University in Japan, with an online pre-training session conducted before the residential programme.

Is there a participation fee?

No. There is no participation fee for either Japanese or international participants.

What expenses are covered for international participants?

The programme covers accommodation during training and certain domestic transportation within Japan. International airfare, meals, and personal expenses are not covered.

Is previous UN experience required?

No. Experience with the United Nations or other international organisations is not required.

What do participants receive after completing the course?

Participants receive a Certificate of Completion and may join the Global Peace and Development Career Network (GPAD).

Conclusion

The Mid-Career Course FY2026 offers an excellent opportunity for experienced peacebuilding and development professionals to strengthen leadership skills, expand international networks, and gain practical insights into resilience, conflict transformation, and career development. Through expert-led training, peer learning, and Hiroshima’s unique experience of peacebuilding, participants can enhance their professional capacity while building lasting connections within the global peace and development community.