Join the Selection Committee for the Community Solutions Program
IREX seeks experienced professionals to read and evaluate applications for the 2025 Community Solutions Program.
The Community Solutions Program (CSP) is a professional leadership development program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government for experienced community leaders around the world age 26 - 39 working in democracy and human rights, environmental issues, gender equality, and peace and conflict resolution. For 2025, community leaders will be selected to participate in the program, which includes:
- Fellowship in the United States: Fellows are matched to host organizations throughout the U.S. where they complete a four-month, hands-on professional experience.
- Community Leadership Institute:Fellows participate in the Community Leadership Institute, a leadership training program designed to strengthen their leadership and management skills. The Institute includes virtual live discussions, online courses, professional coaching, and networking.
- Community Action Project: To conclude the program, fellows carry out a community development initiative or project in their home community. While in the U.S., fellows design and plan this project with the support of their host organization and the Community Leadership Institute facilitators. Once the fellows depart the U.S., they put these projects into action.
The CSP Participant Selection Committee includes a: (1) Reading committee and (2) Interview committee comprised of volunteers from the global civil society community, including U.S. community developers, thematic experts, individuals with experience hosting international exchange participants, American and international civil society leaders, and alumni of U.S. Government (USG) programs working in the civil society sector.
Expectations of Readers
Application readers will be responsible for evaluating applications and assessing each applicant’s ability to participate and succeed in the Community Solutions Program. IREX will provide readers with several resources to guide them through the evaluation process.
Between November 20 and December 11, 2024, readers will review up to 30 applications, each of which should take no more than 15 minutes to evaluate. The Reading Committee will help IREX identify semifinalists and in appreciation of their time and energy, readers will receive a certificate of participation once they have completed all assigned applications.
Timeline of the Reading Committee application and review process
- November 1, 2024: Selection Committee application due
- November 6, 2024: Applicants are notified if they have been selected to join the Reading Committee
- November 15, 2024: Reading Committee members confirmation and signed T&C due
- November 15, 2024: Reading Committee members receive Reading Committee resources and access to virtual Onboarding (Canvas)
- November 20, 2024: Reading Committee members receive applications and begin reviewing applications
- November 20 – December 11, 2024: Reading Committee review period
- December 11, 2024: Deadline for reviewing CSP fellow applications
Interview Committee
Select members will be invited to participate in the Interview Committee. Members of the Interview Committee are only eligible for participation if they also participated in this year’s Reading Committee and successfully submitted all scores before or by the deadline. These members will be responsible for reviewing and scoring 15-20 pre-recorded interviews. If you express interest in participating on the Interview Committee, we will invite you to join the committee by December 5, 2023.
- December 13, 2023: Applicants are notified if they have been invited to join the Interview Committee
- December 20, 2024: Interview Committee members confirmation due
- January 10, 2025 - January 27, 2025: Interview Committee review period
- January 27, 2025: Deadline for reviewing CSP fellow interviews
Benefits of Joining Selection Committee:
- Join a cohort of dedicated civil society professionals invested in helping identify the next cohort of changemakers
- Expand your professional civil society network
- Share your civil society, thematic, and regional expertise
- Develop your professional capacities as an application reviewer
- Receive an official certificate of your service in the Selection Committee
Selection Committee Reviewer Requirements:
- Must have experience with civil society (Thematic experts, individuals with experience hosting international exchange participants, U.S. community developers. Americans and international civil society leaders, and/or alumni of U.S. Government programs working in the civil society sector)
- Must be available to read and review 20-30 applications between November 20 and December 11, 2024
- Not a current applicant of the Community Solution Program (CSP)
- (Optional) Interest in reviewing interview applications January 10, 2025 - January 27, 2025
How to apply
Questions?
Email our team at csp@irex.org.