ONE Young Professionals Program (U.S.)

ONE is a global, nonpartisan organization fighting for a more just world by demanding the investments needed to create economic opportunities and healthier lives in Africa. We do this by deploying trusted and dynamic advocacy that leverages hard-hitting data, credible grassroots activism, creative political engagement, and strategic partnerships. We use all this to influence decision-makers to take action and tackle the world’s biggest challenges. Read more at www.one.org.

The ONE Young Professionals Program is a 6-month leadership development and advocacy initiative designed to support emerging leaders to engage in U.S.-Africa policy.   

This program focuses on young professionals who already hold, or are emerging into, positions of influence through their studies, careers, networks, or community standing.    

This program will help young leaders through structured leadership development and help you build district-level political relationships through practical application aligned with ONE’s advocacy priorities, economic opportunity, and U.S.-Africa engagement. While these practical, mission aligned exercises will be tied to ONE’s advocacy goals, the skills developed will help you navigate and leverage your influence and networks into the future.   

Through this program, participants will:  

• →Develop the skills and confidence to engage policymakers through trusted, professional relationships.  
• →Strengthen district-level political influence on global health, economic opportunity, and U.S.-Africa engagement.  
• →Build fluency in U.S. development assistance and Africa-related policy priorities.  
• →Leverage existing professional and community networks to create access and influence. 
• →Join ONE’s community of emerging leaders.  

Participants will be required to attend one seminar per month, via Zoom, hosted by ONE. Seminars will last approximately 90 minutes and will focus on leadership development, U.S. development/humanitarian assistance, and strategic engagement on Africa-related priorities. Sessions will feature briefings with experts, facilitated discussions, interactive workshops, and guest speakers. These monthly sessions are designed to strengthen leaders' policy fluency, strategic confidence, and ability to engage decision-makers with credibility and precision, while fostering a cohort-based learning environment among participants.   

Between monthly seminars, program participants will engage in activities designed to translate learning into real-world influence. The activities are strategic and may include relationship-building with congressional offices, participating in targeted outreach during key policy moments, and convening conversations within participants' existing professional or community networks. Participants may also be asked to engage in local and national events that build relationships with the members of Congress and the community. (Note: for this cohort you will have the opportunity to attend the 2026 ONE Power Summit, our national fly-in of top ONE advocates, happening Sept. 13-15 in Washington, DC)  

Participants will be supported by guidance, materials, and coaching from ONE staff and encouraged to act within spaces where they already hold credibility and access, enabling them to practice leadership in ways that align with their professional roles and long-term goals.   

• You are an early career professional.   
• You hold or are emerging into roles with professional, civic, or community influence.  
• Work in or alongside sectors such as:  
  • Global health  
  • Policy or government  
  • Technology or innovation  
  • Academia or research  
  • Energy or climate  
  • International relations/development  
  • Entrepreneurship or nonprofit leadership   
• While program acceptance is not limited to the following, we are actively looking for participants who:  
  • Identify as a member of the African diaspora or have strong personal or professional ties to the African continent.  
  • Live or work in one of these geographies aligned with ONE’s congressional engagement priorities: Arizona District 6, California District 40, Colorado District 2, Florida District 25, Maine, Missouri District 4, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York District 8, North Carolina District 11, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah. 

Note that prior advocacy or organizing experience is not required  

• The ONE Young Professionals Program will run from June 2026-December 2026.  
• Applications for the program will be accepted from May 4th-May 22nd.  
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the open period, and if qualified, applicants will receive an acceptance email from The ONE Campaign by early June, for an anticipated program start in mid-June.  
• The ONE Young Professionals Program is an unpaid leadership and advocacy experience. Participants do not receive financial compensation for their participation. However, participants gain access to high-level policy briefings, leadership development opportunities, and relationship-building experiences.  
• Apply at https://www.one.org/us/about/jobs/ and answer our pre-screening application questions.