One Young World Fellowship 2026: Programmes Fellows

Start Date: January 2026

Fixed term to: 30 November 2026

One Young World is seeking three new Programmes Fellows to help make their ambitious plans for One Young World 2026 Cape Town a reality. One Young World Fellows are each assigned to a department for the course of their Fellowship so that they can build their skillset and experience. This is a fixed term, full time role from January 2026 to 30 November 2026.

Fellows will work with young leaders from every country in the world and a huge range of backgrounds, from social entrepreneurs to campaigners, tech innovators to poets. The programme is ideally suited for recent graduates or early-career professionals with a passion for sustainable development and who want to learn more about pursuing a career in the charity sector.

Taking on this challenge calls for:

• Passion for and great general knowledge of social and environmental causes

• An enthusiastic and professional personality

• Excellent attention to detail and personal standards

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.

Fellows will graduate from the role as full members of the One Young World Ambassador Community, meaning you will receive life-time membership of the world’s most internationally diverse network of young leaders. You will be able to call yourself a One Young World Ambassador and take advantage of all the exclusive opportunities available to the Community.

To succeed in the Fellowship, you will:

• Have a keen interest in current affairs, sustainability and geopolitical issues.

• Be highly efficient and organised and have experience of complex admin tasks

• Have experience using the Microsoft office suite, especially excel

• Be a team player who takes the initiative and be able to cope well with deadlines and high-pressure environment

• Confident personalities who are happy to speak to new people on the telephone: this is an outwardly facing role, so you must have a very professional manner

• Must be fluent in English. Fluency in an additional language is desirable but not mandatory

• Successful candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK from the start date. Ideally you are based within commuter distance to London, or you are planning to relocate to London from January 2026.

Your role as a Programmes Fellow:

Fellows joining the Programmes Team will be responsible for ensuring the brightest young leaders in the world are able to attend the One Young World Summit, regardless of their financial means or location in the world. Key responsibilities include:

• Ensure One Young World’s programmes are known to the most impactful potential candidates by researching and engaging with incredible young leaders around the world.

• Ensure the very best candidates benefit from programmes by supporting the Programmes Team’s admissions processes.

• Play a frontline role in supporting beneficiaries through their programmes by providing logistical support. This will include:

  • Assisting with visa applications and working with our travel agent to book delegate flights.

  • Working with our housing team to ensure delegates accommodation is reserved.

  • Responding to incoming queries from all delegates (scholarship and corporate) as well as partners.

  • This includes managing multiple email inboxes and handling incoming calls.

  • Database management.

  • During the Summit you will be the main point of contact for all delegates attending from more than 190 countries!

The Team you’ll join:

The Programmes team is at the heart of One Young World’s work to identify the world’s most impactful young leaders. They work with government, the third sector and business to develop and deliver programmes which provide access to the annual One Young World Summit as well as support initiatives through funding, networking and mentorship opportunities.

Key programmes among the team’s portfolio of 40+ projects include:

• Lead2030: The world’s biggest cash prize for young leaders making an impact for the Sustainable Development Goals.

• The Enterprising Futures Scholarship: One of One Young World’s largest scholarship programmes, this initiative brings leading peacebuilders under 30 to the annual One Young World Summit where they form a lasting network to mutually support each other’s impact.

• The One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Identifies and celebrates the world’s leading young entrepreneurs who are doing good whilst doing well.

How to apply:

• Please apply using the link below, uploading a CV and cover letter by 19 December.

• Please note, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we recommend applying as early as possible.

A longlist of candidates will be invited to participate in short video interviews and a final shortlist of candidates will participate in a final round of panel interviews and assessments.

About One Young World

One Young World identifies, promotes and connects the world’s most impactful young leaders in every country, to create a world where leaders with integrity are empowered to build a fair, sustainable future for all.

The annual One Young World Summit convenes the brightest young talent from every country and sector, working to accelerate social impact. Delegates from 190+ countries are counselled by influential political, business and humanitarian leaders such as H.M. Queen Rania of Jordan, Mary Robinson, and Sir Bob Geldof, amongst many other global figures.

During the Summit, delegates participate in four transformative days of speeches, panels, networking, and workshops. One Young World provides a platform for young leaders to speak alongside Presidents, Nobel Prize Winners, global business leaders and other inspiring global leaders. Delegates make lasting connections throughout the Summit, celebrating their participation at social events and the unforgettable Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Equal Opportunities Statement

At One Young World, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our Summit, and our community. One Young World is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

Benefits

• Colleagues are contracted to work a 37.5 hour week (Monday-Friday) office based, however for nine months of the year (outside of the three months leading up to One Young World’s annual Summit) the organisation operates a “Flexible Fridays” policy - provides adaptability to employees on a Friday assuming there are no urgent matters that require their attention.

• Private medical insurance which includes physiotherapy, dental, eye care and mental health support

• NEST company pension scheme

• Help with commuting - we have a cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans

• Travel to events as necessary

• Regular opportunities to access paid-for training and professional development such as courses and qualifications

• Central London location

• A very sociable team – we have a casual after-work social on Thursdays as well as Christmas, Summer and post-Summit parties

• One Young World takes part in a huge variety of events that team members can attend. Previous international opportunities have included Cannes Lions and the UN ECOSOC Forum and local opportunities have included Student Pride and the Open Iftar Project

• An unparalleled network of changemakers around the world

• The opportunity to be inspired every week by young leaders

How to apply

Please apply using the link, upload a CV and cover letter by 19 December.

Please note, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we recommend applying as early as possible.

A longlist of candidates will be invited to participate in short video interviews and a final shortlist of candidates will participate in a final round of panel interviews and assessments.

Please note that by the start of employment, you must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we cannot offer sponsorship for this role now or in the future.