Monrovia, Liberia – September 15, 2026: FAWE Liberia conducted a National Recruitment Selection Committee Training of Trainers (TOT), Refresher Training, and Induction Program as part of preparations for the recruitment and selection of participants under the FAWE-Mastercard Foundation Phase II Program at Cape Hotel.
The program is designed to increase access to tertiary education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) opportunities for 650 marginalized young women and men across ten counties (Montserrado, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Sinoe, Maryland, Nimba, Bong, and Lofa) in Liberia through bursary support.
The National Recruitment Selection Committee comprises representatives from key government ministries and agencies, higher education and TVET institutions, civil society and youth organizations, disability-focused institutions, community structures, and other relevant stakeholders.
Strengthening the Selection Process:
The induction and refresher program was organized to strengthen Committee members’ understanding of the approved recruitment and selection criteria, tools, procedures, and responsibilities.
The session also emphasized the importance of ensuring that the recruitment process is conducted with fairness, transparency, consistency, inclusion, and accountability.
Key areas addressed included the objective assessment of applications, verification of applicant information, safeguarding and confidentiality, conflict-of-interest management, documentation, appeals and grievance mechanisms, and the equitable consideration of applicants from marginalized and underserved groups.
Speaking during the opening of the program, the Executive Director of FAWE Liberia, Hon. Millias Z. Sheriff, emphasized the importance of the Committee’s mandate and the responsibility associated with selecting participants for the program.
He noted that the 650 bursary beneficiaries represent 650 individual lives, dreams, and opportunities for a better future, emphasizing that the selection process must therefore be approached with professionalism and integrity.
“Our responsibility is not to select people we know. Our responsibility is to select eligible applicants who meet the established criteria.”
Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) Executive Director Hon. Cole Bangalu and Ministry of Education (MoE) Assistant Minister Hon. Nathaniel Cisco both commended the initiative, highlighting the critical need for transparent interventions that assist low-income families, refugees, returnees, and internally displaced young women and men.
Promoting Inclusion and Equity:
FAWE Liberia recognizes that young people face different barriers to accessing higher education and skills development. The recruitment process will therefore ensure appropriate consideration of eligible applicants from marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, refugees and returnees, and other vulnerable young people, in accordance with the approved program criteria.
Hon. Sheriff stressed that inclusion does not mean compromising standards, but rather ensuring that qualified applicants have a fair opportunity to compete under a transparent and consistent process.
He also highlighted safeguarding as a critical responsibility for all Committee members, particularly given the sensitive personal information that may be accessed during the recruitment and selection process.
Committee members were encouraged to protect applicants’ privacy and dignity and to ensure that all recruitment activities are conducted in accordance with safeguarding principles.
A Commitment to Integrity and Accountability:
The diversity of the National Recruitment Selection Committee is expected to contribute to a balanced and inclusive selection process. Members were encouraged to bring their institutional experience and perspectives to the process while keeping the interests of applicants and the objectives of the program at the center of their work.
The Committee was further reminded of the importance of declaring and appropriately managing any potential conflict of interest to protect the integrity and credibility of the selection process.
At the conclusion of the induction, Committee members were encouraged to uphold three core principles throughout their work: integrity, inclusion, and accountability.
Following the training and induction, the National Recruitment Selection Committee will undertake the review, verification, and selection of eligible bursary applicants in accordance with the approved criteria and procedures. The Committee’s recommendations will subsequently be submitted to FAWE Liberia for the next stage of processing and validation.
Through the Mastercard Foundation Phase II Program, FAWE Liberia continues to work with partners and stakeholders to create pathways for young Liberians to access education, acquire relevant skills, and pursue opportunities that can contribute to their personal development and Liberia’s human capital development.
FAWE Liberia remains committed to ensuring that the recruitment and selection process is transparent, inclusive, accountable, and centered on opportunity for those who meet the established program criteria.
