Call for Applications: African Young Women Leaders Fellowship Program

Media Advisory

What: Call for Applications: African Young Women Leaders Fellowship Program

When: Deadline: 14th September

Who: The Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate of the African Union Commission, United Nations Development Program

Background:
The African Union Commission (AUC) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the has launched the call for applications for the 2nd cohort of African Young Women Leaders Fellowship Program.

The fellowship programme, launched in 2019, aims to equip outstanding young African women leaders with leadership skills and experience required to contribute effectively to decision making in public, private and multilateral institutions.

In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African development Agenda2063, the partnership will build on the African Union’s “1 Million by 2021” initiative that seeks to connect 1 million young Africans to opportunities through education, employment, empowerment, engagement, and health and wellbeing.

The program will select 25 young African women to join the second cohort and it offers an array of interesting professional growth opportunities. The AfYWL Fellowship Programme offers an assignment with UNDP at its Headquarters in New York or in one of its regional or country offices. The fellow may also be assigned to the UN Secretariat or the AU Commission.

For the second cohort (2021-2022), the organisations (UNDP and the AUC) will work to enhance women’s leadership and representation in public and private institutions through targeted leadership training and capacity development to promote the participation of young women in decision-making roles.
The 12-month fellowship rests on three pillars:

1. Equipping outstanding young African women leaders with the leadership skills and experience required to advance Agenda 2063 and the SDGs while contributing effectively to decision-making in public, private and multilateral institutions at home and abroad.

2. Creating a diverse pool of talent to enhance UNDP’s organizational efficiency and contribute to more responsive and effective policies and programmes.
3. Developing a network of African young women professionals that engages in promoting innovative, sustainable and inclusive development through South-South development exchange.

Eligibility and selection criteria:

● Female candidates only.

● National of an African Union member state. Priority will be given to nationals of AU member states that did not benefit from the first cohort of the Fellowship Programme.

● Aged below 34 years at the date of application.

● Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Political Science, Business Administration, International Relations/Development, Law, Communications, Digitalization or other related development field.

● Maximum one year (post Master’s degree) of relevant and paid working experience in research, analysis and programme/project development, implementation and management.

● Available in late 2021/early 2022 to participate in an induction workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

● Available in 2021/22 to dedicate 12 months to a fellowship assignment.

● Willing to live and work outside their country of residence.

● Understanding of, and interest in, poverty eradication, sustainable structural transformation, Agenda 2063 and the SDGs.

● Capacity to gather comprehensive information on complex problems or situations, and ability to evaluate and analyze information accurately in order to identify key issues and solutions.

The programme will cover expenses related to travel and medical insurance, and each fellow will receive a monthly stipend to cover accommodation and living costs at their respective duty station. An earmarked learning budget will be also allocated for undertaking relevant learning and development activities. Applicants should note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, physical travel will be dependent on the recommended guidelines of each recruiting office.
The deadline for applications is 14 September 2021. Click here to apply.

For further information, please contact:
Nontobeko Tshabalala, AUC Youth Division via E-mail NontobekoT@africa-union.org
Michelle Mendi Muita, UNDP via E-mail michellemendi.muita@undp.org

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