Open Call for Bpeace

NEW YORK, April 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bpeace is pleased to announce an open call for applications for its 2010 Summer Fellowship Program.

Bpeace (Business Council for Peace) is an international non-profit coalition of business professionals who believe the path to peace is lined with jobs.  We work with entrepreneurs in conflict-affected countries to scale their businesses, create significant employment for all, and expand the economic power of women.  More jobs mean less violence.®

Students accepted as 2010 Bpeace Fellows will work virtually with highly experienced business professionals in the fields of international development, marketing, film production, economics, architecture, journalism and financial services.  You will work on projects that help developing countries create more employment and lift people out of poverty and violence.

Read more about us at:  www.bpeace.org

Deadline for applications: April 19, 2010

Fellowship duration:  June 1-July 30, 2010

Number of Fellowships:  5

Type of fellowship:  Virtual; make your own hours, working at least 20 hours a week.

Compensation:  $2,000 total for the entire Fellowship.

Description of available fellowships

(1) Bosnia/El Salvador Fellowship:

Conduct due diligence including desk research and phone interviews that will help Bpeace decide whether we should initiate entrepreneur assistance programs in either of these countries.  Take direction from the Bpeace Chief Program Officer and several business professionals who are members of Bpeace.  Determine which communities in each country meet our criteria for entry; which industries promise the best opportunity for significant job growth; identify government, foundation and individual donors who will fund our entry into one of these countries.  Fellowship outcome:  White paper on each country outlining the strategy how and when Bpeace should enter; who would be our best partners; and who will fund our activities.

(2) Rwanda Fellowship:

This Fellowship requires you to be based within one hour of New York City.  Six Rwandan businesswomen will spend two weeks in the U.S. in July to learn new business skills and bring home knowledge they can share with their employees. You will plan and facilitate the two-week visit with meticulous detail from the time the Rwandans land on U.S. soil to the time they leave. This will include identifying U.S. businesses that are a good match with the interests of the Rwandans; creating the written materials necessary to invite the U.S. businesses to host the Rwandans; creating the schedule of sessions with U.S. companies; mapping daily travel and meal logistics; managing photographers and videographers; generating publicity. Take direction from the Bpeace Chief Program Officer.  Interact with the Rwandan women before and during their trip.  Previous experience in planning and managing complex events required.  Fellowship outcome:  Successful two-week U.S. trip by the Rwandans that you will document in a blog.

(3) THREAD Tour Fellowship:

Thread is a documentary film about five Afghan businesswomen who Bpeace brought to the U.S. in 2005.  Thread has surprised audiences at film festivals in the U.S. and Europe in its portrayal of Afghan women as mothers, businesswomen, and pioneers.  We want to bring the Thread experience to more cities in the next 12 months.  You will create a Thread playbook; press kit; and book the film and panelists from Bpeace into U.S. venues.  The objective is to raise awareness of Afghan women; Bpeace; and raise Bpeace operating funds through sponsorships and ticket sales. You will work take direction from the film's director and producer.  Fellowship outcome:  A playbook with all the procedures and press/marketing materials necessary for each venue to promote the film; 20 bookings for Fall 2010 and Spring 2011.

(4) Kenya/Liberia Fellowship:

Conduct due diligence including desk research and phone interviews that will help Bpeace decide whether we should initiate entrepreneur assistance programs in either of these countries. Take direction from the Bpeace Chief Program Officer and several business professionals who are members of Bpeace.  Determine which communities in each country meet our criteria for entry; which industries promise the best opportunity for significant job growth; identify government, foundation and individual donors who will fund our entry into one of these countries.  Fellowship outcome:  White paper on each country outlining the strategy how and when Bpeace should enter; who would be our best partners; and who will fund our activities.

(5) Afghanistan Fellowship:

Twelve Afghan men and women will spend three weeks in the U.S. in the fall of 2010 to learn new business skills and bring home knowledge they can share with their employees. You will identify U.S. businesses that are a good match with the interests of the Afghans; create the written materials necessary to invite the U.S. businesses to host the Afghans; secure commitments from the U.S. businesses to begin direct communications with the Afghans. Take direction from the Bpeace Chief Program Officer.  Fellowship outcome:  Well produced profiles on each of the 12 Afghans; commitments from 30 U.S. companies to host the Afghans in the Fall of 2010; a blog where the U.S. companies can follow the progress of the Afghans.

Who should apply?  Requirements for all applicants:

• Current undergraduate or graduate student.
• General knowledge of business, particularly small and medium businesses.
• Demonstrated interest in at least one of the following focus areas:  international business; economics; entrepreneurship; marketing; documentary film production; Afghanistan; Rwanda; Bosnia; El Salvador; Kenya; Liberia.
• Able to work virtually and independently.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Skype skills.
• Operating out of a North or South America home office, well equipped with high-speed Internet, computer, printer, and telephone.

How to apply:

• By April 19, send a compelling email to [email protected] with the name of the fellowship(s) you are applying for in the subject line. You must limit yourself to applying for 2 fellowships, so select the ones that best suit your skills and interests.
• In your email, tell us 1) what location you will be working from in June and July; 2) what school you attend, area of study and anticipated year of graduation; 3) what part of the day will you be available to work (example: 8:00 am – noon, M-F); and 4) what countries you have previously travelled to.
• Attach your resume.
• Hint:  We will evaluate how well you: follow directions; have written a compelling email that drives us to open your resume; how well you present yourself on your resume.

Interviews:

• You will hear from us by email if we select you for a phone interview.

www.bpeace.org

SOURCE Bpeace