PYPP outlines recruitment procedure

The President of the Young Professionals Program or PYPP has outlined recruitment procedures for its seventh cycle, targeting recent university graduates in the country.

The program is a prestigious two-year fellowship that places successful candidates in important government functionaries and provide them training, mentorship to support government’s priorities.

Executive Director Mr. HhZaizay told reporters the PYPP was launched by President Sirleaf as an initiative to address capacity gap in the Civil Service, adding that it has proven to be a competitive process, providing jobs, mentoring, and training opportunities for young graduates.

He said the 7th cycle is targeting 20 exceptionally talented graduates to form class VII from which they will be selected based on performance, eligibility for graduation and are Liberians not more than 35 years old, law-abiding, police clearance, and a Grade Point Average of at least 3.5.

He said the program is being managed by a board of directors and a management team with deep involvement of government, including the Civil Service Agency serving as Board Chair, and the Ministry of Finance Development Planning as Vice Chair, among others.

Zaizay pointed out that the program is demand-driven and designed to achieve three objectives in government, namely; create job opportunities for highly qualified Liberian youth, facilitate the transfer of knowledge from current professionals to the next generation of Liberian leaders, and to strengthen Liberia’s public sector capacity thru a pool of eager and qualified youth.

According to the Executive Director, PYPP’s achievements in the country is clear, adding that of the 103 candidates recruited, selected, trained, and placed over the years, 95 percent continue to strengthen capacity of over 15 Ministries, and 10 Agencies of government.

He said the program is accelerating a government-level shift towards valuing strong leadership, transparency, and meritocracy, all of which strengthen the public sector.

“Beginning with class VI, the most recent class of 25 young leaders, who were placed in January 2016, and over the next five years through 2021, the PYPP aims is to place 100 additional young professional in key government roles, helping to create a tipping point in governance”, Zaizay concluded. Editing by Jonathan Browne