AKFC's International Youth Fellowship Program

AKFC's International Youth Fellowship Program

Location: East Africa or Central Asia

Duration: 9 Months

About AKFC

Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) is an international development organization and registered charity. AKFC partners with communities, businesses, and governments to find innovative, lasting solutions to promote inclusive development. Working in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, the Foundation invests in high-quality institutions and systems that anchor social, economic, and cultural progress over the long term. In Canada, AKFC promotes discussion and learning on global issues, raises funds, taps into Canadian expertise to strengthen its development work, and builds partnerships with Canadian institutions.

Established in 1980, AKFC is an agency of the worldwide Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a family of development agencies with individual mandates that address the social, economic, and cultural dimensions of development.

Position Summary

Aga Khan Foundation Canada is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 International Youth Fellowship Program.

The International Youth Fellowship Program, sponsored by Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada, is designed to develop leadership and management skills and promote learning for outstanding young Canadians who have a desire and an aptitude to work effectively in a global environment.

The International Youth Fellowship Program builds on over 30 years of success during which more than 550 young professionals have received focused study and practical experience, enabling them to chart a course for leadership positions in their chosen fields—including law, engineering, journalism, education, health, business, finance, public administration, and development studies.

Each Fellow attends a three-week pre-departure training in Ottawa, followed by an eight-month placement (July 2026 to February 2027) with a local civil society organization in Africa or Asia. Placements may be with an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) or with one of the AKDN’s trusted partner organizations. Potential host countries may include India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Participants can apply for placements within the International Development Management (IDM) and International Microfinance and Microenterprise (IMM) streams that best match their backgrounds and interests, such as:

• Fields: Agriculture & Food Security, Civil Society, Climate Resilience, Early Childhood Development, Education, Gender Equality, Health & Nutrition, Work & Enterprise  
• Placements: Communications, Marketing, Monitoring & Evaluation, Operations, Partnerships, Project Management, Research

Approximately 10 Fellowships will be awarded for the 2026-27 program.

About the pre-departure training

The three-week training provides Fellows with instruction in development management and leadership. The practitioner-oriented seminar is intended to prepare Fellows for their placements and equip them for careers in international development or related fields. Workshops are taught by some of Canada’s foremost international cooperation practitioners.

Qualifications & Experience

All Fellows must meet the following application criteria:

• Hold, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution by April 30, 2026, with a record of strong academic performance
• Will not be enrolled in any educational program for the duration of the Fellowship program (May 2026 – February 2027)
• Demonstrated a commitment to international development through related volunteer, professional or academic experience
• Be 30 years of age or under on or before February 1, 2026
  • Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
  • Be fluent in English

Please keep in mind the following dates:

• Applications Close - February 1, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
• References Due - February 8, 2026
• Interview Period - March-April 2026
• Offers to Candidates - April 2026
• Pre-Departure Training - May 27 - June 19, 2026*
• Fellows Depart for Field Placements - July 1, 2026
• End of Placement - February 28, 2027

Apply

To apply to the International Youth Fellowship Program, please visit: https://akfc.submittable.com/submit

The deadline for receipt of applications is February 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

Please note that due to the nature of funding for this position, the placement is only open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

AKFC is committed to advancing gender equality and inclusion through our programming and operations in Canada and overseas. AKFC requires all employees to review and abide by the AKFC Gender Equality Policy.

AKFC recognizes the importance of safeguarding and is committed to ensuring it manages a wide range of risks such that beneficiaries, staff, other associates and the organization as a whole are kept safe from harm.

AKFC welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.