CFAs: AIG Public Leaders Programme (Africa)

The programme is designed to ensure these public leaders, and those moving into senior leadership in the public sector over the next three years, master a range of new skills as quickly as possible. Participants have an unparalleled opportunity to develop the conceptual frameworks and practical tools they need to meet the challenges of today’s rapidly changing and complex world.

The experience is intense and demanding, engaging participants through classroom discussion, practical exercises, simulations, and group work. The programme aims to equip participants with the skills needed to build transformative cultures of excellence, effectiveness, and integrity throughout the public institutions they lead, and across the broader public sector. Their success is their country’s benefit.

Focus Areas

• Communicating effectively
• Harnessing digital technology
• Reducing cognitive bias in decision-making
• Strengthening organisational effectiveness
• Maintaining personal integrity

Modules

• Governing in Times of Challenge and Change
• Harnessing Digital Technology
• The Pitfalls in Decision-Making
• Integrity in Public Life
• Strengthening Public Organisations

Programme Details

• Programme fee: This programme is offered at no cost to eligible public sector employees who are successful in the application process
• Please note that the final decision on the selection of participants rests with the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford
• Location: Online and Abuja, Nigeria

Benefits

• Live Classes
  • The programme starts with four days of live online classes, with the opportunity for meetings with faculty on the fifth day.
• Online Learning
  • The next four weeks consist of self-paced online learning, with Teaching Assistants facilitating the online discussion boards.
• Residential Programme
  • The one-week residential programme in Abuja is the most demanding part of the programme, with Blavatnik School faculty teaching live at the venue and via video.
• Project Development
  • After the residential week, there is a window of time during which you will develop your capstone project.
• Project Review
  • In this final part of the programme, a review of the projects will take place, as well as the final closing activities and awards.

Expected Outcomes

• Graduates will be transformed by the skills and insights they acquire – skills they need to effectively and efficiently perform their roles in the public service. They will gain the know-how to share these skills and insights within their organisation and with the broader public sector, and will strengthen their ability to respond to six challenges that face all leaders of public institutions:
  • Making tough decisions while managing the biases that distort decisions made under pressure
  • Improving the ability of their organisation to deliver outcomes that matter to the people they serve
  • Building a culture of integrity in their organisation and sector
  • Communicating effectively within the organisation they serve, across government, and with diverse public audiences and partners
  • Creating effective partnerships with businesses with social-sector organisations and negotiating internationally across sectors to deliver better services, produce better outcomes, and advance the public interest
  • Adapting to changing digital technology and harnessing its benefits while managing the challenges of cyber threats

Eligibility Criteria

• Admissions Criteria
  • Only the best public sector executives from across Africa will be selected to participate in this programme. Candidates will be chosen based on their public sector experience and achievements, proven leadership qualities, intellectual abilities, personal motivations and ambitions.
• To be eligible for consideration candidates must:
  • Be citizens of any African country and actively working within the public sector in Africa
  • Have a minimum of 7 years of active service in the public sector
  • Be at Directorate level
  • Provide evidence of game-changing leadership qualities and abilities
  • Be endorsed by the Head of Ministry/Department/Agency where the candidate works.

For more information, visit Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation.