JHSPH Scholars Program 2022-2023: Call for Applications

Institute for Global Tobacco Control

Institute for Global Tobacco Control is pleased to invite alumni from the current Bloomberg Initiative priority countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Ukraine and Vietnam) to apply for the 2022-2023 BSPH Scholars Program; alumni from other countries may be considered if there is available space within our 15 participant cap.

The Program is an annual initiative aimed at developing advanced leadership skills among select alumni from our BSPH Tobacco Control Leadership and Certificate Programs with promising futures in public health.

The curriculum includes a practical skills-based approach to leadership development in four core areas: systems thinking, team building, personal change, and advanced communication.

The Program comprises a blended approach that combines competency acquisition with personal change and evolution through leadership developmental stages (Petrie N. Future Trends in Leadership Development. 2014).

Scholars develop skills that can be applied in their daily lives and work-life, train together and develop a concept note for resolving a tobacco control problem of importance to them and their parent organizations.

Promising applicants will be short-listed and interviewed if needed, and up to 15 individuals will be selected to participate in the Program. Successful applicants must meet the following criteria:

Have successfully completed the BSPH Tobacco Control Leadership and/or Certificate Program as a participant from one of the Bloomberg Initiative’s ten priority countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Ukraine and Vietnam); promising candidates from other countries may be considered as space within our 15 participant cap allows.

Have at least five years of professional experience and be currently working in tobacco control with demonstrated potential (including documented, quantifiable achievements in tobacco control) for progressing to a higher-level leadership position.

Commit to participation in all webinars to complete and complete required program assignments within the specified training period and by the stated deadlines. Be proficient in written and spoken English.

The details of the Program and the application process can be found here. Applications for the 2022-2023 BSPH Scholars’ Program are due by April 10, 2022, 11:59 pm EST.

Applications should be submitted online here. Please review and note that the Program time commitments are significant. Questions regarding this Call for Applications or the application process can be directed to the Program Manager, Ms. Grazi Grilo, at [email protected].

If you meet the criteria noted above, they encourage you to consider applying for this advanced tobacco control leadership skill development initiative!

Program Costs: There is no cost for the program for selected applicants.

Scholars’ Time Commitments: During the program period, Scholars are expected to spend about eight hours per month engaging in online webinars and discussions; reading and reflecting on assigned readings; and, engaging in individual and group exercises. See the provisional schedule below.

Selection Criteria: This is a competitive process! Each year we receive more applications than we are able to accept. Tobacco control professionals, government officials, media representatives, and others involved in tobacco control are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should carefully review this Program overview, particularly the associated expectations and time commitments (see below), and assess if he/she will benefit from the Program both personally and professionally.

After an initial review of applications by the BSPH selection committee, promising applicants will be short-listed and interviewed, if needed. Successful applicants must:

  1. Have successfully completed the BSPH Tobacco Control Leadership and/or Certificate Program as a participant from one of the Bloomberg Initiative’s ten priority countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Ukraine and Vietnam); promising candidates from other countries may be considered as space within our 15 participant cap allows.
  2. Have at least five years of professional experience and be currently working in tobacco control with demonstrated potential (including documented, quantifiable achievements in tobacco control) for progressing to a higher-level leadership position.
  3. Commit to participation in all webinars, and complete required program assignments within the specified training period and by the stated deadlines.
  4. Be proficient in written and spoken English.

Learning Objectives: overall learning objectives of the Program are to:

  • Apply and practice strategies to achieve personal change.
  • Enhance decision-making capacity and effectiveness through the application of systems thinking.
  • Strengthen team-building skills by delineating effective team building strategies and mechanisms for conflict resolution.
  • Build nuanced communication skills, including providing and receiving feedback, audience-centric messaging and media advocacy.

Approach: The program comprises a blended approach that combines competency acquisition with personal change and evolution through leadership developmental stages (Petrie N. Future Trends in Leadership Development. 2014). Scholars develop skills that can be applied in their daily lives and work-life, train together and develop a concept note for resolving a tobacco control problem of importance to them and their parent organizations. A list of previous Scholars who have completed the Program is available here.

Application Elements: The training approach involves 22 interactive online webinars (usually held between 7:00-10:00 a.m., US EST to accommodate different time zones) between September 2022-June 2023, group work and individual assignments, and pre-assigned lectures and readings that focus on both individual and collective leadership skills. The time commitment is substantial and successful applicants are expected to complete all aspects of the curriculum on time. Interested applicants must submit:

  1. Brief responses to each of the following questions:
  2. Why do you believe you are well-suited for this Program? (maximum 2000 characters)
  3. What skills do you expect to gain from the Program and how might these skills benefit your current work in tobacco control? Consider your past Leadership/Certificate Program experience and how it has contributed to your personal and professional development so far. (maximum 2000 characters)
  4. What do you see yourself doing professionally in 10 years? (maximum 700 characters)
  5. What strategies will you use to manage your Scholars’ Program time commitments (i.e., participation in webinars and timely completion of all assignments) on top of your regular job? (maximum 700 characters)
  6. Tell us about an occasion in your life (professional or personal) in which you displayed leadership (brief background, how you showed leadership, what you/others learned from the experience) that could be motivational for others. Reflect on how being aware of your personal strengths and weaknesses (areas/situations where you feel most confident and less confident) supported your leadership story. (maximum 2000 characters)
  • A Curriculum Vitae (5 pages maximum) documenting your education, employment history and current position and responsibilities.
  • A Letter of Commitment from your parent organization indicating their support for your participation in the Program (consistent with the “Scholars’ Time Commitments” below), particularly the organization’s agreement to support your full participation in the Program curriculum, including time to attend all webinars and complete all Program assignments in the required timeframe.
  • Two letters of reference that demonstrate your competence in dealing with challenging situations, openness to participatory learning and receptiveness to developing goal-oriented problem-solving relationships.

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