[APPLICATIONS CLOSED] The 2024 OpenAQ Community Ambassador Program Is Now Accepting Applications!

The 2023 cohort of the OpenAQ Community Ambassador Program. We will be launching a new cohort this year — will you be part of it?

The OpenAQ Community Ambassador Program: Fighting Air Inequality in Your Community and Beyond

Applications are open for the 2024 OpenAQ Community Ambassador Program! This annual program supports ten emerging air quality leaders in low- and middle-income countries in developing skills to fight air inequality — the unequal access to clean air. Over ten months, Ambassadors are provided with interdisciplinary training (with a focus on using data), leadership development, and a supportive professional community to hone skills and expertise in the air quality field. There are also extended opportunities to collaborate and participate in OpenAQ activities beyond the program.

OpenAQ aggregates and harmonizes open air quality data from across the globe onto a free open-source data platform so that anyone concerned about air quality has unfettered access to the data they need to analyze, communicate and advocate for clean air. We work to facilitate collaboration across sectors and geographies so that those working with air quality data learn from each other.

As an OpenAQ Community Ambassador, you will:

• Grow leadership and technical skills to advance your work to fight air inequality
• Work on a project that uses data to tackle an air quality issue in your community
• Connect with OpenAQ and diverse professional mentors within OpenAQ’s global network
• Serve as a key liaison between your community and OpenAQ and host one or more OpenAQ activities in your local community and/or region
• Provide key perspectives to OpenAQ that help the organization increase its contributions to your community and other communities
• Be featured on the OpenAQ website and social media as an OpenAQ Community Ambassador
• Learn about diverse opportunities such as related workshops, trainings, and conferences (with potential support from OpenAQ in reviewing your application or providing a letter of support)

QUALIFICATIONS:

OpenAQ Community Ambassadors are individuals who are committed to using air quality data to create positive change in the fight against air inequality over the course of the fellowship and beyond. Ambassadors must be located in a low- or middle-income country and can come from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and work in any sector (nonprofit, public or private). Ambassadors will receive a US $2,000 stipend to participate in the program.

To apply, you must be:

• An early-career professional working in air quality, or a profession that relates closely to air quality, where using air quality data can support your work
• Dedicated to raising awareness of air pollution challenges in your local community
• Willing to lead a project, participate in all activities, and share your progress
• Comfortable presenting to and interacting with air quality decision-makers
• A resident of a low- or middle-income country as classified by the World Bank
• Familiar with the OpenAQ Platform (a plus, but not a prerequisite)
• Comfortable engaging in the English language
• Committed to working with OpenAQ and your fellow ambassadors in a collaborative virtual environment across multiple time zones
• Interested in maintaining ongoing mutual relationships with OpenAQ and your fellow ambassadors after the close of the program
• Able to commit at least 200 hours over the course of the program, with an average time commitment of 5 hours per week

How to apply:

1. Prepare a resume or CV, no longer than two pages (one page front and back) (filename format: “Name_Resume”)
2. Prepare a two-page Statement of Interest that answers the following questions (filename format: “Name_Statement of Interest”):

• Why are you interested in becoming an OpenAQ Community Ambassador?
• Describe a social and/or environmental initiative in your community that you have led and what impact it has had.
• Describe a particular air quality challenge that your community is facing. How do you intend to tackle this challenge from the learnings you expect from the Ambassador Program?
• What specific things do you hope to learn and achieve from participating in the OpenAQ Community Ambassador Program?
• What life skills or professional experience can you share with other Ambassadors in the cohort? Feel free to be creative!

3. Answer a few identifying questions and upload the materials described above here 👉🏽 [LINK CLOSED] (this will redirect you to a JotForm website). Only applications submitted through the JotForm will be accepted.

Applications open: January 23, 2024

Applications close: February 21, 2024

For questions, please email Colleen Rosales, Strategic Partnerships Director, at colleen@openaq.org.