Call for entries – Fellowship in Youth Health Leadership

13 March 2012

Call for entries – Fellowship in Youth Health Leadership

Practitioners and researchers in the youth sector with strong leadership skills are being urged to apply for a Fellowship in Youth Health Leadership offered by The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation in association with SYHPANZ (Society of Youth Health Professionals Aotearoa New Zealand).

The Fellowship is a leadership development grant, worth $90,000 over a 12 month period, for promising mid-career practitioners or researchers with proven leadership and experience in the youth sector to complete study, research or undertake a sabbatical. This is the third year the Fellowship has been offered.

The recipient of the inaugural Fellowship, Northland GP Dr Aniva Lawrence, has recently completed her Fellowship year. Dr Lawrence researched the unique health needs of rural youth and took a sabbatical to Canada and the United States to explore international models.

As well as completing research which is soon to be published, Dr Lawrence also joined the board of the national youth sector organisation Ara Taiohi during her Fellowship year. She says her goal for 2012 is to build stronger partnerships with the education sector to deliver healthcare to youth in all low decile high schools in Northland and beyond.

“The Fellowship has enabled me to focus on the needs of rural youth, something I feel very strongly and passionate about It’s been an amazing opportunity and the Fellowship is one of a kind in New Zealand. It has truly grown me as a leader.”

The second Fellowship recipient, Palmerston North GP Dr Vicki Lawrence is about to embark on her year. She will continue her research in improving the health needs of young people in the youth justice system and travel overseas to explore international approaches.

Vodafone Foundation Chair, Michael Stanley says the Foundation’s vision is to promote the health and wellbeing of young New Zealanders.

“Developing the leadership skills of those working in the youth health sector is critical to ensuring a sustainable future for all our young people,” he says.

“This is a unique career opportunity for a specialist working within this important field and we strongly urge leaders in the youth health sector to apply.”

Eligibility

To apply you must:
• be a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand;
• have a University degree (usually a Masters’ or the equivalent thereof, however, consideration may be given to candidates with a Bachelor's degree only, depending on work experience);
• have proven leadership and experience in the youth health sector;
• show significant promise as a practitioner or researcher; and/or
• have demonstrated expertise in youth health and wellbeing issues and have a track record of informing the sector through research, policy analysis or service delivery.

Application process

To apply, you need to email through to SYHPANZ (syhpanz@gmail.com):
• A cover letter outlining why you are applying for the Fellowship in Youth Health Leadership;
• A summary of your professional objectives;
• Your curriculum vitae;
• A preliminary proposal for your Fellowship project;
• Details on who you would identify nationally and internationally as potential mentors;
• A letter of reference from your department chair, institution or employer (if you are not currently within an institution or employed, please state current work status); and
• Three professional written references. These must be written by people who can comment on your past work performance and the potential contribution your proposed project will make to youth health and development in New Zealand.

Applications close Friday 1st June 2012, at 5pm.

ENDS

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