Harpswell Leadership Residents Program

Mission & Overview

Harpswell advances young women leaders in Southeast Asia with education, training and a supportive network. We envision a new generation of women leaders who create and inspire positive social change. Through our Cambodian Women’s Leadership Program, Harpswell operates two residential leadership centers for young women in Cambodia while they attend university in Phnom Penh. Our annual ASEAN Women’s Leadership Summit is a leadership training program and conference in Malaysia for young professional women from the ten ASEAN countries and Nepal.

The Leadership Resident Program brings volunteers who teach, mentor and learn alongside Harpswell’s bright Cambodian young women attending university. The program has two volunteer tracks: Leadership Residents (LR) and the LR Fellowship. Both LRs and LR Fellows live in one of Harpswell’s two dormitory leadership centers alongside students. LRs commit to terms of four to eight months, immersing themselves in a dynamic community of future leaders. LR Fellows commit one year at Harpswell, acting as peer leader for LRs, taking the lead on ensuring the in-country LR Program runs smoothly.

This volunteer opportunity is designed for women passionate about sharing their expertise, broadening their perspectives and engaging meaningfully in cross-cultural exchange. It offers a chance to leave an impact on others while gaining invaluable personal and professional growth.

Leadership Residents are expected to:

Teach Harpswell’s Core Curriculum

Facilitate twice-weekly critical thinking discussions on current events

Tutor students in English language skills

Host consistent office hours

Support student leadership development

Build meaningful relationships with students and alumnae

Plan engaging cultural activities outside of the leadership centers

In addition, LR Fellows are tasked with:

Managing LR scheduling, ensuring all classes and events are sufficiently staffed

Onboarding incoming LRs

Cultivating a strong culture of support and collaboration amongst the LR cohort

Supporting Communications Officer in gathering content

Alongside full room and board plus travel insurance, LRs and LR Fellows receive a monthly stipend reflective of cost-of-living in Phnom Penh:

LR: $330 USD

LR Fellow: $420 USD

Both LRs and LR Fellows are asked to make their own travel arrangements to and from Cambodia.

Applications are welcome from women with university degrees who demonstrate:

A commitment to social change, women’s leadership and education.

A genuine curiosity for the experiences of others and interest in cross-cultural learning and discovery.

Resourcefulness and flexibility, alongside the ability to self-motivate.

Excellent English language skills, both spoken and written (teaching experience a plus).

A willingness to work non-traditional hours (evenings and weekends)

In addition, LR Fellows applicants should also have:

2+ years of professional experience.

Teaching experience strongly preferred.