Deadline: 30-Jan-23

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) has announced the call for applications for the Charles R. Wall Leadership Program.

Components

The program consists of two components — the Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows and the Charles R. Wall Conservation Leadership and Management Fellowship — and aims to build communities of skilled and connected young African professionals that will drive meaningful transformation in conservation in Africa.

• Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows
• Charles R. Wall Conservation Leadership and Management Fellowship

Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows

• The Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows Program aims to train young  professionals like yourself to be policy negotiators on International Environmental Governance, especially on the Convention on Biological Diversity. The 9 months program is offered by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Being part of this program means you join a pool of young African professionals who are eager and skilled to contribute to policy formulation and review processes at country, regional and international levels. They are looking forward to learning about you, your passion for international environmental governance and your leadership footprints.

Objectives

• The overall objective of the Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows Program is to establish a pool of young professionals with sufficient knowledge and negotiation skills on international biodiversity governance capable of contributing to policy formulation and review processes at country and regional levels.

Benefits

• Besides the knowledge, skills and expertise you will also get the following benefits:
  • Air travel to and from home country for any program related activity.
  • Accommodation during in person workshops and any program related activity that requirere location
  • Stipend to cover data bundles for the virtual sessions
  • Personalised coaching support during the program to deliver the innovation project.

Elements

• Charles R. Wall Conservation Leadership and Management Fellowship 2023
  • The 9 months will consist of the following elements:
    • The why, what and how of conversation This is the foundational component of the program that will trigger your thinking around the state of conservation in Africa and the world, the nuances of the conservation culture and contemporary issues affecting conservation.
    • Leadership and management development courses These sessions are dedicated to impart cutting-edge knowledge, skills and expertise in leadership and management that will equip you to lead systemic change in different spaces.
    • The courses will be delivered both virtually and in person. The courses include self leadership, creating purpose driven teams and organizational leadership. Placement in environmental organisations in your home country The learning journey has been designed to support application of the various relevant skills and knowledge gained in the different sessions.
    • One such way you will apply your learning is by dedicating a month during the program in an environmental organisation in your home country as an extension of the learning. Work on a challenging goal on an environmental issue you are passionate about You will learn various problem solving skills that will be put into practice through developing innovative solutions for issues you want to transform.
    • Support in the form of coaching and mentoring will be provided to inspire confidence to develop innovative solutions for the environmental challenge that you are passionate to solve for.
    •  Building a critical mass together You will become part of a growing community of skilled African leaders that are dedicated to impact in conservation and sustainable development. You will be connected to the larger Charles R. Wall Community of Fellows as well as leading practitioners and decision makers from different environmental spaces including governments.
    • Such a powerful network will position you to not only extend your learning but also build your own connections that will help you accelerate transformation in the area you work in and are passionate about.

Eligibility Criteria

• Ensure to submit all supporting documents required in the application. These are, Curriculum Vitae and a letter of recommendation from university/employer/senior person you have worked with.
• The application includes essays that are mandatory. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Priority will be given to individuals who work in an institution like the government, NGOs, CSOs, corporate, enterprise. While priority will be given to institutionalized youth, any other outstanding and promising applicants who are not linked to any institutions will however not be disqualified.
• They are seeking upcoming young African leaders and professionals in the environment space who meet the following criteria:
• Interest: Have a demonstrated interest in conservation and environmental sustainability.
• Experience: Have a minimum of 3 years experience working in the environmental space. Can be employed (intrapreneur), a freelancer, a volunteer or a founder of an entity. (environmental sectors considered include but not limited to conservation biology, enterprise development, tourism, communications etc)
• Empowering communities: Have a proven in clination to supporting communities that you either live/work with.
• Creativity & Innovation: Proven creativity skills to make meaningful contributions in sphere of work.
• Who: Are an African living and working in an African country.
• Age: Are between age 20 to 35.
• Academic qualification: Minimum of a diploma in any field. Applicants with compelling applications based on experience may be considered regardless of academic qualification.
• Managerial experience: Can demonstrate management skills.
• Language: Have a good command of the English language. The training is open to candidates from francophone countries in the continent but should have basic English writing and speaking skills. Some training materials and sessions may be translated to French during the program.

For more information, visit AWF.