Deadline: Sunday, 28 September 2025, 11:59 PM (CET – Geneva time)
At a time when women’s rights and gender justice face both unprecedented challenges and opportunities, the World YWCA continues to mobilise a powerful, intergenerational movement around the world. The next period will be pivotal for advancing World YWCA fundraising, donor engagement, and leadership strategies, and World YWCA is seeking dynamic young leaders to be part of this work.
Through this hands-on six-month paid internship (October 2025 – March 2026), young women from across the World YWCA movement will work closely with our team to contribute directly to our global fundraising and leadership strategies. During the internship, cohort members will learn more about resource mobilisation and gain experience and training in research by using the Feminist Consultation Methodology (FCM).
As we live in a digital age, interns will work remotely from their home countries and collaborate with colleagues across regions. This unique internship will end with Leadership Cohort interns joining the World YWCA team in person at the 70th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York in March 2026!
The Leadership Cohort 2025 is made possible through the generous support of the World Service Council, whose long-standing commitment continues to strengthen young women’s leadership across the YWCA movement.
Criteria for Selection:
- Must be between 18 and 30 years of age at the time of application.
- Involved in a national/regional/local YWCA (member/volunteer, participant, or staff)
with at least two years of active engagement. - Basic working knowledge of English; Spanish and/or French is an asset.
- Strong commitment to women’s rights and intergenerational leadership.
- Previous experience in advocacy and/or activism on women’s rights and/or
fundraising is an asset. - Independent, self-reliant, creative, hard-working, and flexible.
- Able to commit 25–30 hours per week (October 2025 – March 2026), including travel
to New York for CSW70 (the time commitment is flexible, to be specified in
the application).
Costs and Provisions
- Stipend: A modest stipend will be provided, adjusted according to location and time
availability. - Work location: Remote, from the applicant’s home country.
- Travel: The World YWCA will cover the most economical and direct airfare (roundtrip
- from home country to New York for the 70th Commission on the Status of Women).
- Visa costs will be reimbursed.
How to Apply
Candidates must complete the online application form and upload the following:
- CV/Resume in English, French, or Spanish (max. two pages).
- Signed endorsement letter in English, French, or Spanish from a YWCA affiliated member association, in compliance with annual membership minimum requirements for affiliation with the World YWCA, supporting the application and committing to honour their role in supporting the candidate’s leadership journey upon return.
- Applicants must also confirm their availability (hours/week and flexibility) in the form.
Full details, including eligibility criteria, application process, application form and Terms of Reference, are available in the documents here: English, Français , Español
Deadline to apply: Sunday, 28 September 2025, 11:59 PM (Geneva time).
Applicants and their associations will be informed of the final decision within three weeks after the deadline. The announcement to the movement will follow shortly thereafter.
Summary of key dates:
- Accommodation & meals: Provided during travel for CSW.
- Call for applications published: 3 September
- Deadline for applications 28 September
- Final decision and announcement 20 October
- Internship duration: end of October 2025 to end of March 2026
Should you have any queries, please reach out to leadershipcohort@worldywca.org.