Deadline: 31-Mar-2026
The LGT Venture Philanthropy and Lightrock offer a fully funded 12-month LGT Impact Fellowship for experienced professionals seeking to apply private-sector expertise to social and environmental impact organizations worldwide. Fellows work full-time with nonprofit and for-profit portfolio organizations, strengthening operational capacity, scaling impact, and gaining hands-on experience in development and sustainable business contexts.
Overview
The LGT Impact Fellowship Program is a structured, full-time, 12-month professional placement designed for experienced business professionals who want to transition into social impact careers, including social entrepreneurship, impact investing, and sustainable business.
Fellows are placed with portfolio organizations supported by LGT Venture Philanthropy and Lightrock. These host organizations operate in low- and middle-income countries and focus on delivering measurable social and environmental impact.
Programme Objectives
The Fellowship is designed to achieve five core goals:
1. Strengthen Organisational Capacity
Fellows improve systems, processes, and internal structures that enable long-term sustainability.
2. Scale Social and Environmental Impact
Participants support operational growth and strategic expansion of high-impact organizations.
3. Advance Professional Capacity Building
Fellows gain direct field experience in complex development environments.
4. Apply Private-Sector Expertise
The programme bridges corporate skills and impact-driven contexts.
5. Enable Career Transitions
The Fellowship supports professionals moving into:
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Social entrepreneurship
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Impact investing
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Sustainable business leadership
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Development sector roles
Fellowship Structure
Duration
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12 months (full-time engagement)
Start Timeline
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Applications close: 31 March
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Interviews: April–May
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Final selections: End of May
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Fellowship start: Around July
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Kick-off workshop: August in Kenya
Placement Model
Fellows:
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Work on-site with nonprofit or for-profit portfolio organizations
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Collaborate with local teams and stakeholders
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Join a global network of peer Fellows
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Report progress regularly against defined objectives
The engagement is immersive and hands-on, focusing on sustainable impact rather than short-term consulting.
Roles and Responsibilities
Fellows typically:
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Share professional expertise with host organizations
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Improve or implement scalable systems and processes
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Train and coach local staff
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Strengthen operational efficiency
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Support strategy development and execution
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Contribute to fundraising and impact measurement
Important: Fellows do not replace permanent staff. Succession planning ensures sustainability and knowledge transfer.
Fields of Expertise in Demand
Portfolio organizations frequently seek professionals in:
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Finance and investment management
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Strategy and business development
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Fundraising
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Marketing and communications
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Operations and project management
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Data analytics and IT systems
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Research and monitoring & evaluation
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Human resources
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Process and quality management
Funding and Financial Support
The LGT Impact Fellowship is fully funded for the 12-month engagement.
Financial support allows Fellows to:
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Commit full-time
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Relocate if necessary
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Focus entirely on impact delivery
Specific financial details are provided during the selection process.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
Education
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Undergraduate degree (mandatory)
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MBA or relevant advanced degree (preferred)
Work Experience
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Minimum 2 years of full-time professional experience after university
Language
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Proficiency in written and spoken English (required)
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Additional regional languages (advantage)
Professional Attributes
Successful candidates typically demonstrate:
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Strong initiative and self-direction
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Ability to work independently
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Commitment to social and environmental impact
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Understanding of development challenges in low- to middle-income countries
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Cultural sensitivity
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Flexibility and adaptability
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Comfort in ambiguous or rapidly changing environments
Why This Fellowship Matters
The LGT Impact Fellowship plays a strategic role in strengthening the global impact ecosystem.
It:
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Transfers private-sector skills to mission-driven organizations
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Accelerates organizational growth
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Strengthens impact investing portfolios
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Builds future leaders in sustainable development
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Promotes long-term systemic change
By embedding professionals within organizations, the programme enhances real operational capacity rather than offering short-term advisory input.
How the Application Process Works
Step 1: Submit Online Application
Candidates apply before 31 March through the official portal.
Step 2: Application Review
Applications are reviewed after the portal closes.
Step 3: Interview Rounds
Shortlisted candidates participate in interviews during April and May.
Step 4: Final Selection
Final decisions are communicated by the end of May.
Step 5: Placement Matching
Selected Fellows are matched with portfolio organizations based on:
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Skills and experience
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Organizational needs
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Geographic and sector alignment
Step 6: Programme Kick-Off
Fellows begin around July and attend a workshop in Kenya in August.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Submitting generic motivation statements
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Failing to demonstrate measurable professional achievements
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Not clearly linking private-sector skills to impact contexts
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Overlooking cultural adaptability requirements
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Underestimating the realities of working in emerging markets
Strong applications clearly connect professional expertise with sustainable development impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the LGT Impact Fellowship paid?
Yes. It is a funded 12-month full-time fellowship with financial support provided.
2. Who organizes the Fellowship?
It is part of the strategic investment support of LGT Venture Philanthropy and Lightrock.
3. What type of organizations host Fellows?
Nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies from the global portfolios of LGT Venture Philanthropy and Lightrock.
4. Is prior development sector experience required?
Not necessarily. However, understanding development challenges and impact contexts is important.
5. Can early-career professionals apply?
Applicants must have at least two years of full-time work experience after university.
6. Where do Fellows work?
Placements are global, often in low- and middle-income countries.
7. Does the Fellowship support career transitions?
Yes. It is specifically designed to help professionals transition into impact-driven careers.
Conclusion
The LGT Impact Fellowship Program offers a structured pathway for experienced professionals to transition into meaningful, impact-focused careers.
Through a fully funded 12-month placement with high-impact organizations, Fellows apply private-sector expertise to strengthen operations, scale social and environmental outcomes, and gain hands-on experience in global development contexts.
Professionals committed to purpose-driven leadership and sustainable business transformation are strongly encouraged to apply before the 31 March deadline.
For more information, visit LGT Venture Philanthropy.
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