LGT Impact Fellowship: 20+ opportunities for mid-career business professionals across Africa and India

The LGT Impact Fellowship connects talents, with the desire to apply their professional skills in a more meaningful way, with leading social/environmental organizations and companies of LGT Venture Philanthropy’s and Lightrock’s global portfolio. The program is currently welcoming applications for the upcoming intake starting in July 2024 for one-year engagements.

The application portal will be open from Monday, 26 February until Sunday, 31 March (the portal closes at 24h00 CEST). During the application period we are hosting various virtual information sessions – follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram to find out more and to sign up.

About the LGT Impact Fellowship

As part of LGT Venture Philanthropy’s and Lightrock’s strategic efforts to scale positive impact, the LGT Impact Fellowship was established to provide additional know-how and capacity to portfolio organizations. Each year a limited number of professionals are nominated to work full-time for one year with the organizations and companies supported by us in Latin America, Africa, India and Europe. Fellows work within the organization on various projects, share their know-how and help build organizational capacity.

Compensation packages cover local living costs, incl. health insurance, travel and a 1-week in-person kick-off workshop. Remuneration may vary depending on geographies, sectors, organization type, etc.

Since inception in 2009, 202 professionals from over 30 countries have joined the program to create positive impact across the globe. Learn more about the program on the our website.

2024 Fellowship roles: This year LGT Venture Philanthropy is seeking mid-career business professionals for 20+ exciting roles in, among others, Corporate Finance, Marketing & Communications, Fundraising, Project Management, Strategy, Impact Investing, Monitoring & Evaluation, Public Affairs, Research, Operations, Data Engineering, based out of various African countries, India, UK and US.

About the Fellows

The LGT Impact Fellowship has proven to be an excellent steppingstone for professionals with the desire to transition to or advance a career in the social entrepreneurship or impact investing sector. It offers the opportunity for exceptional development of personal and professional skills by exposing participants to complex and unknown environments at leading social organizations primarily in emerging countries. Read more about Fellows’ experiences on the LGT Impact Fellowship Blog.

Education and professional experience

• Undergraduate degree (MBA or other advanced degree in a relevant field preferred)
• Minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience after university

Required skills and qualities

• Proficiency in English (additional languages from relevant regions might be required)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills as well as strong research and analytical skills
• Self-starter, willing to work independently with limited supervision and take responsibility for own actions
• Strong commitment to making a difference and willingness to make financial concessions
• Good understanding of challenges and trends in low-to-middle income countries
• Willingness to work in and engage with local cultures with a positive attitude and cultural sensitivity
• Flexibility, open-mindedness and the ability to deal with ambiguity, unforeseeable events and changing environment

Beyond the fellowship

The majority of alumni continue their careers in areas where they are able to create positive impact (as per 2015: 71% social sector; 23% private sector; 6% public sector). 78% of alumni consider the program as a helpful career step for professionals towards a more meaningful job and 96% would recommend the program to others. Many alumni found work at leading organizations in the social impact sector, such as USAID, World Bank, CDC, responsAbility, WHO, CAF Venturesome, Pacific AgriCapital, and the Clinton Health Initiative. Others started their own businesses like Impact Amplifier (SGB Consulting, Sub-Saharan Africa) or LoveDoctor (youth and health advice, India); some alumni were able to join LGT Venture Philanthropy’s team.

About LGT Venture Philanthropy

LGT Venture Philanthropy is an independent charitable foundation established in 2007 with teams in Switzerland, Sub-Saharan Africa, and India. The Foundation strives to improve the quality of life of people facing disadvantages, contribute to healthy ecosystems and build resilient, inclusive, and prosperous communities. LGT VP focuses on strengthening the capabilities of locally rooted organizations that deliver effective, scalable solutions across health, education, and the environment contributing directly to the SDGs. For more information, please visit www.lgtvp.com

About Lightrock

Lightrock is a global private equity platform that backs purpose-driven entrepreneurs tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Lightrock invests in companies that pursue scalable and tech-driven business models around the key impact themes of people, planet, and productivity/tech for good. Lightrock’s portfolio includes more than 80 high-growth companies in 14 countries across Europe, the USA, Latin America, Asia and Africa, supported by a diverse team of over 90 professionals based in 5 offices across these regions, including Lightrock’s headquarters in London. Founded by Prince Max von Liechtenstein, Chairman of Lightrock and Chairman of LGT Group, Lightrock is backed by LGT, the international private banking and asset management group, and other leading global institutions. For more information, please visit www.lightrock.com

How to apply

Submit your application through the talent portal. Please note that we only accept online applications and that multiple applications are not allowed. However, you are invited to mention additional preferences in your application. The application portal will be open from Monday, 26 February until Sunday, 31 March (the portal closes at 24h00 CEST).

Information events

Learn all about the LGT Impact Fellowship and meet representatives of LGT Venture Philanthropy, Alumni Fellows and current Fellows on 7 March. Register for the virtual event here.