Young Impact Associates in Agrifood Systems Fellowship

The YIA Fellowship in Agrifood Systems is a year-long flagship program designed to prepare a new generation of African leaders capable to make a difference in the impact measurement field and contribute to driving transformative change in Africa’s agrifood landscape.

Through the YIA Fellowship, the Mastercard Foundation and its Impact Partner Organizations (IPO) aim to empower you with the necessary knowledge, tools and skills, to evaluate, package, and demonstrate the impact of socially inclusive interventions in the African agrifood systems. Through this unique opportunity, you will accelerate your career in impact measurement, research, and consulting while contributing to Africa’s evidence-driven decisions and development.

The Fellowship provides a unique learning and professional development experience. The program will equip a new generation of African professionals with skills, networks and motivation to drive transformative, people-centered, scalable impact measurement approaches across the continent.

Focus Areas

• To enhance employability by equipping the young professionals with the skills and practical experience needed to secure fulfilling roles in impact measurement, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (ME&L), and development evaluation.
• To increase their capacity to articulate impact and influence evidence-based decisions in agrifood systems.
• To contribute to the transformative agenda of the impact measurement field by shaping the trajectory of impact assessment in Africa towards contextual considerations of the nexus of social dimensions and agrifood systems.

Benefits

• Practical experience – On-location work placements with leading organizations in the impact measurement sector for intensive industry immersion experiences
• Mentorship and coaching – Guidance and support from seasoned professionals
• Customized training in leadership, impact measurement and related topics
• Peer learning and collaboration to strengthen the YIA networks and promote intracountry partnerships

Duration

• Upon your successful selection, you will join the YIA Fellowship for one year and receive a monthly stipend throughout the program’s duration -12 months.
• The YIA Fellowship activities will begin in mid-June 2025 and will run until end May 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

• The YIA Program – Agriculture Impact focus is open to young African women and men who are either starting out or have a background in the agriculture impact measurement field
• Nationals of Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda, residing in Africa
• Must be aged between 18 and 35 years
• Engaged in full-time, part-time work, self-employment, studying, or unemployed
• With a good command of both written and spoken English
• Have a minimum of a diploma, bachelor’s degree in relevant disciplines including social sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, data sciences, environmental and climate science, international development, policy and governance, etc
• Mission-driven interest and passion for the impact measurement field
• Motivation and clear aspirations to leverage data-driven approaches
• Commitment to a 12-month full-time program participation

Application Requirements

• Applicants should have the required documents ready before starting the application process. These include:
  • An updated CV (maximum 3 pages) including the full names, email, and telephone of two reference contacts
  • A one-page motivation letter outlining the reasons for joining the YIA Fellowship, expectations and professional aspirations

For more information, visit AWARD.