United Nations African Policy Innovation Fellowship Programme

The fellowship seeks to support the strengthening of institutional capacities in African countries to enhance country systems’ lead of development efforts through the development of skills in policy analysis, formulation and monitoring.

The Fellowship envisions a future where Africa’s youth are active architects of change. Through collaborative learning, mentorship, and exposure to best practices, it seeks to foster a generation of public servants who are adept in policy analysis and implementation and deeply committed to advancing the values of accountability, transparency, and inclusivity.

The fellowship programme aims to support fellows identify the interlinkages between different areas of sustainable development and peace to help activate a multiplier effect, transforming their policy proposals into triggers of sustainable development and durable peace. In particular, the fellowship will contribute to deepening the understanding of the four-pillar framework to achieve sustainable development and peace:

• Durable peace requires sustainable development;
• Sustainable development requires nationally owned sustainable financing;
• Sustainable financing requires control over economic and financial flows; and
• Control over economic and financial flows requires strong and effective institutions and governance.

Focus Areas

• This proposal should reflect a clear understanding of national priorities and connect one or more of the UN Six Transitions for sustainable development, which include:
  • Food Systems
  • Energy Access and Affordability
  • Digital Connectivity
  • Education
  • Jobs and Social Protection
  • Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution

Benefits

• A stipend paid to fellows while outside their home country is a monthly allowance intended to cover the cost of lodging, board, and other essentials such as laundry and local transport.

Programme Specifications

• Fellows are hosted by different entities, depending on the area of specialization of their project proposals.
• During their stay, fellows are expected to develop a policy intervention based on the initial proposal presented in their application. In parallel, they get exposure to UN frameworks and discussions on their area of focus. Fellows are also expected undertake capacity development activities and participate in seminars and sessions tailored to their experience.
• The fellowship consists of three components:
  • Parent Organization Phase (at least 1 Month: Conceptualization):
    • Fellows engage in virtual training and mentorship while still delivering responsibilities in their parent organisation to refine their project proposals into actionable conceptual frameworks.
    • Interactive sessions with UN experts, policymakers, and data analysts focus on leveraging national data for policy innovation.
  • UN Headquarters Phase (at least 3 Months: Development):
    • Fellows work with a UN Secretariat host entity linked to their selected transition area.
    • Engage in high-level policy discussions and networking opportunities.
    • Receive guidance on integrating data analytics into policy solutions.
  • UN Country Team Phase (at least 2 Months: Application with UN RCO Support):
    • Fellows return home to implement their refined project within their national
    • policy environment.
    • Receive support from the African UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in their home country for practical application.
    • Present outcomes and impact assessments to national stakeholders.

Role and Responsibilities

• Fellows must:
  • Complete all prescribed online training before commencing travel.
  • Conduct themselves at all times in a manner compatible with their status as holders of international fellowships and as representatives of their country.
  • Carry out their training in the manner and within the period prescribed by the United
  • Nations.
  • Refrain from engaging in political activities (disclosure of such involvement by fellows will result in termination of the award and immediate repatriation);
  • Return to their home countries at the end of the fellowship and continue to in their current functional area, unless they are sponsored by another organization for further training.

Expected Outcomes

• Upon completion of the fellowship, participants are expected to have applied the knowledge and skills acquired to design a policy intervention that tackles development challenges in their area of work. UN entities will support fellows in advancing the implementation of their proposals under the coordination of the UN RC system.
• The fellowship is not intended for the pursuit of academic studies leading to degrees or diplomas. It is intended to give civil servants the opportunity to broaden their professional knowledge and experience, particularly with regard to leveraging the UN intangible assets. This will enable them to participate more actively in supporting the economic and social development of their countries.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: The programme is open to current public administration officials of an African Member State who are not older than 40 years old at the time of application.
• Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or doctorate or their equivalents) linked to the area of specialization of the project is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in similar fields in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Skills: The fellowship programme is focused on policy research and analysis. Thus, applicants are expected to have strong analytical, research, data, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience: Applicants are expected to be current civil servants in their home countries with proven work experience related to the proposed area of specialization. This can include experience in research/analytical work in socio-economic and political development, trade and investment, natural resource management/law, regional integration, infrastructure development including transportation, logistics and energy, governance, peace, and related areas in the context of Africa.
• Language Proficiency: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in either language is required for the fellowship, and working knowledge of the other is an advantage.

For more information, visit United Nations.