The PYPP Model
"The PYPP is a gateway to the career development of every young person who is aspiring to excel in life through the provision of requisite skills, training opportunity, and mentoring. Every young person should take advantage of becoming a part of the PYPP. The process is free, fair and transparent. I am a witness." — PRECIOUS WELERKERMAH TOKPAH-FLOMO, CLASS V
The PYPP prides itself on a transparent, merit-based, rigorous selection process that gives each young Liberian an equal opportunity to become a President's Young Professional (PYP).
PYPs are selected through a well-defined, meritocratic process. Country-wide recruitment at universities and through radio, newspapers and social media encourages all qualified candidates to apply, without regard to gender, background, or politics. PYPP runs an objective recruitment process in which names are removed from applications and candidates are taken through several selection phases, each with a different and independent selection committee comprised of professionals from the public sector, the private sector and academia.
Core Components
The prestigious 2-year PYPP fellowship has 6 key components:
Rigorous Application Process + Meritocratic Selection
A rigorous application process has been developed which includes a blind review process that replaces applicant names with ID numbers. Candidates are evaluated based on a series of tests and multiple interviews. PYPP achieves near gender parity for each class of President’s Young Professionals (PYPs).
Continuous Responsive Training
Through a two-week orientation program and then ongoing monthly workshops, PYPs are trained on a range of professional skills including computer skills, financial literacy, communication skills, team problem-solving and meeting facilitation. Sessions also touch on current events and global topics of relevance.
Immersion Excursions
PYPs gain a better understanding of local governance and build camaraderie as a cohort through bi-annual excursions to rural communities, during which they interact with community and youth leaders and civil servants in local and regional governments.
Performance Management
PYPs are placed in critical roles across various ministries that expose them to significant responsibility and interactions with senior officials in order to build their confidence and strengthen their leadership skills. The PYPP maintains a performance management system to account for PYPs’ performance in the workplace.
Mentorship
Each PYP is paired with an experienced mentor who provides on-the-job support and coaching. These mentors are typically top-performing senior-level ministry staff who embrace the PYPP’s values and are eager to share professional development and career advice with PYPs. PYPs also report to a designated supervisor.
Ongoing Engagement
The Alumni Association has monthly meetings centered around better leveraging the alumni network, continued training for PYPP alumni as well as alumni support on programmatic elements of the current class.