HerStart
E-Fellowships

An ‘E-Fellowship’ is an opportunity to volunteer virtually with YCI’s HerStart Innovate the Future program. Canadians can share their knowledge and skills remotely, while also learning about critical global issues, including women’s empowerment, climate action and social entrepreneurship. This volunteer opportunity has been designed as a ‘fellowship’ to provide high-quality training, resources, hands-on experience and networking for volunteers, while recognizing the level of knowledge and skills that successful applicants bring to each role.

Full requirements and desired qualifications for HerStart E-Fellowships are listed within each position description. The key eligibility must-haves for all positions include:

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Professional level English language skills
• Enrolled in or graduated from a post-secondary institution (or have equivalent work experience)
• Flexible schedule to collaborate across countries and time zones
• Access to a computer and internet
• Able to commit to the full term of engagement

Please note that individuals from all demographic, academic and professional backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply. Although previous international development experience will be considered an asset, it is not required to participate in the e-fellowship program.

E-fellowships are full-time volunteer engagements (35 hours/week). To collaborate with program stakeholders, you must be able to complete the majority of these hours on weekdays during daytime working hours. Morning (EDT) availability is particularly important to connect across time zones.  Placements are typically 3 or 4 months in length.  

Please note that e-fellow alumni can also apply for future international placements (in fact, it will make you a stronger candidate!). 

Applications will include the submission of your CV, past writing or creative samples, and answers to a few long answer questions related to the themes of the program. If you applied for a previous cohort, you can choose to indicate on the application that you would like your past application to be considered again, or submit a new one.

The application review and selection process typically moves quite quickly. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews and offers will start before the application deadline (so be sure to get your application in early!). Only successful applicants will be contacted via email for an interview. Please check your junk mail on a regular basis during this period in case YCI emails end up there! Note that applicants will not receive a separate confirmation email upon application submission. Due to the high volume of inquiries, YCI staff will not be able to respond to emails or calls about your application status.  

HerStart E-Fellows will be selected based on the quality of their application and interview, as well as their knowledge, skills and interests for the role they have applied to. Key qualities we look for in any volunteer include being flexible, proactive and willing to learn. Please see each position description for a full list of eligibility requirements and desired qualifications.

HerStart E-Fellowships are volunteer engagements and therefore are not considered employment and will not receive financial remuneration. There are no fees or costs required to participate in the program. HerStart E-Fellows will receive access to high-quality training, tailored resources and an exclusive international network focused on women’s empowerment, climate action and social enterprise. They will receive hands-on experience within the international development and social entrepreneurship fields to add to their CV. Plus, they will be the first to know about to future YCI opportunities, including the HerStart International Fellowship opportunities in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda.

All HerStart E-Fellowships will be conducted virtually, with all trainings, meetings and tasks completed online from your preferred remote location. HerStart E-Fellows can complete placements from your homes, cottages, libraries or anywhere that you have access to a computer and stable internet connection!