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The Augustine Fellowship for Non-Medical Personnel Serving in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
The Augustine Fellowship Program is currently on hold and not accepting applications until further notice.
Program Purpose and Benefits
In honor of Augustine Aiyadurai, American Leprosy Missions and CCIH established the Augustine Fellowship. The Augustine Fellowship Program links individuals in low- and middle-income countries with an institution for a learning, service and capacity-building experience. Individuals accepted into the program will be placed at a health institution or hospital, NGO, mission or FBO, university or similar level post-secondary institute for a period to serve the organization in a support discipline, such as finance, accounting, human resources, information technology, engineering, and chaplaincy and spiritual support. Service can occur through a mix of in-person visits and virtual connection.
CCIH is a diverse, global network of faith-based health organizations known for coaching and facilitating collaboration among Christian organizations, with more than half our members located in low- and middle-income countries. CCIH will facilitate learning and sharing of best practices among individuals and organizations in LMIC through the Augustine Fellowship Program.
A host organization will gain encouragement, knowledge, skills and practices from the Fellow, as well as completion of needed tasks, and be enabled to serve their clients better.
A Fellow who is placed will learn new expertise, skills and best practices they learn during the Fellowship. They will gain insights into how another organization operates, and be challenged to adapt their own thinking about their career and path.
Who Can Participate?
- Individuals living in low- and middle income (LMIC) countries
- Professionals who are currently employed and receive permission from their employer for short-term visits to the host organization
- Retired professionals
- University faculty members
- Students and recent graduates upon approval of host organization
The Augustine Fellowship is open to men and women of any ethnic background. Selected candidates will be expected to:
- Come from a non-medical professional background, ranging from chaplains to accountants; from footwear specialists to lab technicians; and, from IT experts to facility managers.
- Have solid scientific and/or academic and/or technical credentials and the endorsement of three references.
- Show a commitment to service.
- Exhibit good communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrate integrity, problem-solving ability, good judgment, flexibility, and leadership qualities.
- Desire to work cooperatively with the host organization.
- Endorse American Leprosy Missions’ Statement of Faith and CCIH’s Mission & Vision.
Please note: Candidates are encouraged to identify and contact host organizations in low- and middle-income countries to arrange placement.
Program Requirements for Currently Employed and Retired Professionals:
- Have at least five years’ full-time experience in her/his field, working in a health institution or hospital, NGO, mission or FBO, university or similar level post-secondary institute in a low-or middle-income country (LMIC).
- Possess relevant professional qualifications such as a university diploma or degree. (A combination of relevant academic background and relevant professional experience in a related area may be accepted in lieu of a university diploma or degree). If currently employed, secure temporary release by the health institution or hospital, NGO, mission or FBO, university or similar level post-secondary institute where she/he is currently serving.
- Have experience and skills relevant to and requested by the host organization.
- For projected Fellowship period, demonstrate commensurate physical capacity and socioemotional intelligence to serve in a cross-cultural setting.
Requirements For Current Students / Recent Graduates:
- Current students must be at the graduate school level.
- Recent graduates must be a bachelors degree holder from an accredited university, or higher.
- Must have an academic background and skills relevant to and requested by the host organization.
- For projected Fellowship period, demonstrate commensurate physical capacity and socioemotional intelligence to serve in a cross-cultural setting.
Placement Options:
- Traditional Placement: Commit to 90–180 days in person with the host organization.
- Hybrid: Fellow makes a short visit to the host organization for orientation and to begin work, and then completes their work through virtual/video meetings within a 12-month period.
- Virtual: Fellow conducts all meetings and follow up virtually, assuming the host organization’s needs can be met remotely within a 12-month period.
Additional Benefits for Host Organization:
The host organization will have the opportunity to discover, arrange and a staff member participate in a formal evaluation or training at a third-party organization, and then bring those skills and learning to their organization.
Additional Benefits for Releasing Organization:
The releasing organizations will have the opportunity to request to have one staff member attend the annual conference or another event held by or sponsored by CCIH, with no event registration charge and potential consideration for a partial travel grant to an in person meeting.
Identification of Applicant/Recipient
The applicant may identify and contact an appropriate recipient or a recipient organization may identify an appropriate candidate. The goal is that the recipient organization would gain encouragement, knowledge, skills and practices from the fellow, and be enabled to serve their clients better.
Fellowship Grant – Budget & Stipend
For in-person placements, American Leprosy Missions will underwrite in collaboration with CCIH, via the fellowship grant, costs not to exceed USD 9,000. These calculations include round-trip economy-class airfare, insurance, and estimated costs for lodging and daily incidentals. Recipient organizations will arrange local travel and accommodations for a safe life/work experience.
Application Process
CCIH will manage the application process and in cooperation with American Leprosy Missions select each year’s fellowship recipient(s).
Part A – From the Applicant
- Up-to-date CV with relevant education and experience.
- Cover letter describing your interest in a specific fellowship posting and ability to undertake the work.
- Three letters of recommendation from sources who have served as your supervisor in a workplace, professor, or have a similar professional relationship with you. (These references should not be from your current employer nor the recipient organization).
Part B – From the Recipient Organization (If identified in advance)
A signed statement (on official letterhead) detailing:
- Its interest in receiving and hosting you
- Terms of reference for your work, including capacity-building needs and expected outcomes / deliverables
- Provision of the necessary oversight, accommodation and safe life/work experience
Part C – From the Releasing Organization (If applicable)
Letter of release (on official letterhead) granting you time away for the fellowship and confirming your position will await your return upon completion.
How to Apply: Application Instructions
Electronic versions of all application materials should be sent directly (Part A by the applicant, Part B by the releasing organization and Part C the receiving organization) to augustinefellowship [at] ccih.org
NOTE: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Award Terms and Conditions
Fellows are expected to agree to the terms and conditions of the Augustine Fellowship and sign an award letter. Some of the conditions stipulated in the letter include:
- Fellows are expected to share lessons learnt and experiences gained with a wider audience through platforms provided by American Leprosy Missions, CCIH, the recipient organization and/or the releasing organization.
- Fellows are expected to capture their experiences in a narrative report within 30 days after their placement ends.
- Fellows will be invited to CCIH’s annual conference.
More About the Program
Watch the video below to hear about the origin of the program and the experience of the first Augustine Fellow, Steven Mukawa, at his post at the SIM ELWA Hospital in Liberia.
Augustine P. Aiyadurai was the senior administrator and chief financial officer for a large Christian hospital in India. In that role he supervised a number of projects funded by or through American Leprosy Missions, demonstrating a strong commitment to the people being served and a high level of integrity in financial management.
Augustine also served as the honorary treasurer of the Christian Medical Association of India. He took a period of sabbatical leave in 2014 to serve at the Curran Lutheran Hospital (Zorzor, Lofa County, Liberia) during the 2014- 2015 Ebola crisis. Tragically, he passed away while serving in Liberia. This program is dedicated to his memory and strengthening the skills of non-medical professionals serving in developing nations.