Applications for the 2012 Clore Social Fellowship have opened, at a time when the need for effective leadership in the social sector is at an all time high.

Up to 20 new recruits will join the unique, personalised leadership development programme, now in its third year, described as transformational by many of the 30 Fellows already on board.

The Clore Social Leadership Programme aims to identify, connect and develop aspiring leaders in the social sector at a vital time, reasons Dame Mary Marsh, founding director:

“As the UK emerges from recession, demand for services grows at the same time as public funding is reduced. This means that there is a greater need than ever for well-run, effective social sector organisations with resilient leaders at the helm, well-equipped to lead their organisations in facing the challenges and opportunities presented.

"The Clore Social Leadership’s high-quality, personalised programme is just what is needed,” said Dame Mary.

Aspiring leaders should apply online here before the closing date of midday on Thursday 2 June.

Applicants must be working in, or closely with, the social sector as a member of staff or volunteer, involved in work of significant benefit to individuals and communities in the UK and committed to working in the sector in the long-term.

Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate notable achievements and leadership potential in work already undertaken.

Of the current cohorts, two have already made the step up to senior positions in the social sector.

From the 2010 Clore Social Fellows, Kate Lee now runs Myton Hospices, one of the largest hospice organisations in the UK, and Caroline Beaumont was appointed to the new post of director of services and business development at Reach Volunteering in January 2011.

Successful applicants will be appointed in October 2011 to start their Fellowship in January 2012.

Fellows can complete the programme over 12 or up to 24 months, on a full or part-time basis. During this time they will attend residential courses, undertake mentoring, coaching and an extended secondment and engage in action learning sets, focused reflection and practice-based research.

Employers will receive a bursary of up to £15K to compensate for time Fellows spend out of the office, with individuals themselves receiving a bursary of up to £20K.

Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of The Children’s Society (which currently has two Fellows on the programme) commented: "The Clore Social Leadership Programme offers a unique opportunity for personalised leadership development.

"As an employer, we benefit from new learning and connections brought back into the organisation, through the secondment and research, and from engagement with the wider pool of Fellows."

The Clore Social Leadership Programme was established by the Clore Duffield Foundation in October 2008 after extensive research and consultation with the third sector identified a pressing need.

The Fellowship is modelled on the successful Clore Leadership Programme for the cultural sector. The Programme actively encourages diversity and promotes inclusion.

There will be six Specialist Fellowships in 2012:

• The Gulbenkian Fellowship for an aspiring social leader with experience of working with young migrants, and interested in exploring the challenges faced by transnational families and communities in the UK.

• The Deloitte Fellowship for someone with at least five years experience of financial responsibilities as a substantial part of their role in the third sector.

• The NESTA Fellowship for an aspiring leader committed to, and with a track record in, innovative practice; willing to work with NESTA to complete a secondment that is relevant to the work of NESTA’s Public Services Lab; willing to undertake a practice-based research project focused on the social innovation system or a specific area of social need where innovative approaches may improve outcomes.

• The Paul Hamlyn Fellowship for an individual committed to securing social change, working with, or originating from, marginalised communities in the UK to support integration, social cohesion and social justice.

• The RNIB Fellowship for blind or partially sighted applicants who can demonstrate a commitment to developing their own leadership skills within the not-for-profit sector in order to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people.

• The Standard Life Fellowship for an aspiring leader interested in issues relating to financial capability and working with individuals and communities in either the criminal justice system, the armed forces or single-parent families.

The Programme has attracted funding from a wide range of Foundations and Trusts and corporate partners, building on the core investment by the Clore Duffield Foundation.

Other funders of the programme include the Monument Trust and Resolution Trust.

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