African Young Women Leaders (AfYWL) Fellowship Programme 2025
Location: Various, including UNDP Headquarters in New York or Regional/Country Offices
Salary: Monthly stipend to support accommodation and basic living costs
Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
About the Programme
The African Young Women Leaders (AfYWL) Fellowship Programme is an exciting partnership between the African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aimed at developing the next generation of African women leaders. This 12-month fellowship offers young women an opportunity to work directly with UNDP offices around the world, including in New York and in regional or country offices across Africa. No hardship duty stations are involved.
The fellowship is an ideal platform for young African women who are passionate about driving change and contributing to global development initiatives. Fellows will engage in meaningful work aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063, which aim to transform Africa into a peaceful, integrated, and sustainable continent.
Key Objectives of the Fellowship
- Youth Empowerment and Employment: Contribute to advancing youth empowerment, employment, and gender equality.
- Women’s Empowerment: Participate in strategies to elevate women’s leadership roles and strengthen their influence in development.
- Strategic Communication and Partnerships: Build skills to support South-South cooperation and foster stronger international partnerships.
- Develop Future Leaders: Gain hands-on experience in shaping global policies and development programs.
- Transformational Change: Be part of a cohort of young African women leaders driving forward the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.
UNDP’s Role
UNDP is a global development network that operates in approximately 170 countries, working towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, and promoting sustainable development. The organization is dedicated to supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and helping countries build institutional capacity for long-term development.
The AfYWL Fellowship Programme is part of the AUC Chairperson’s 1 Million Next Level Initiative, which focuses on providing opportunities for African youth in the areas of Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Engagement. This initiative aims to empower African youth and women to lead and implement development programs in areas such as:
- Natural Resource Governance
- Youth and Women’s Employment and Empowerment
- Structural Economic Transformation
- Sustainable Energy
- Climate Change
- Peace and Security
Fellowship Opportunities
The AfYWL Fellowship Programme will offer up to 40 young African women the opportunity to work at various UNDP offices, both in Headquarters and in country or regional offices, where they will be involved in critical areas of development. Fellows will receive exposure to hands-on projects, field missions, and networking opportunities, all of which will provide valuable experience and professional growth.
Responsibilities and Expected Outputs
As an AfYWL Fellow, you will be assigned tasks related to:
- Data Collection and Research: Gathering and analyzing data on SDGs and Agenda 2063, producing reports and research papers.
- Innovation and Experimentation: Exploring innovative approaches to development challenges, particularly in the six focus areas of UNDP’s Renewed Strategic Offer in Africa.
- Project Support: Assisting in the implementation of projects related to gender equality, youth empowerment, climate change, resilience, and security.
- External Engagement: Participating in meetings, conferences, and stakeholder consultations.
- Field Missions: Engaging directly with the local communities and government officials, as necessary.
Training and Learning
The fellowship offers numerous opportunities for skill development, including:
- Induction and Leadership Training: A joint workshop by AUC and UNDP to introduce fellows to leadership and development skills.
- Mentorship: Ongoing guidance from senior AUC and UNDP staff.
- Learning Budget: Access to a specific budget for relevant training and professional development.
- UNDP Young Professionals Network: Opportunities to participate in learning and networking events for young professionals in the UN system.
Eligibility Criteria
The AfYWL Fellowship Programme is open to young African women who meet the following criteria:
- Education: A completed Master’s degree or equivalent in fields such as Economics, Political Science, Business Administration, International Relations/Development, Law, Communications, Digitalization, or related fields.
- Experience: Up to two years of paid, relevant experience in research, analysis, or project management post-Bachelor or Master’s degree.
- Age: Applicants must be under 30 years old at the time of application.
- Nationality: Must be a national of an African Union (AU) member state.
- Languages: Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of additional AU working languages (Arabic, French, Portuguese, or Spanish) is an advantage.
- Availability: Must be available to relocate for 12 months starting in late 2025/early 2026.
Additional Skills and Qualities
- Strong interest in poverty eradication, sustainable development, and transformational change.
- Ability to gather, evaluate, and analyze complex information to solve problems and develop strategies.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration and partnership building.
- Additional experience in digital transformation, strategic communications, development intelligence, or innovation is a plus.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit their application online by June 1, 2025. The application process will involve several stages, including an online test, technical assessments, and a final evaluation. Candidates will need to provide:
- Passports or national ID copies.
- Academic degrees (Master’s and Bachelor’s).
- Additional documents as requested during the process.
Applicants should be ready to relocate and dedicate themselves to the 12-month fellowship assignment.
Why Apply
The AfYWL Fellowship Programme offers a unique opportunity for young women across Africa to gain hands-on experience at the UNDP, contribute to global development, and enhance their leadership skills. Fellows will be part of a powerful network of young African women making a difference on the continent and beyond, advancing key development goals and bringing new perspectives to global leadership.
If you are passionate about sustainable development, gender equality, and youth empowerment, this fellowship could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Apply now and take the first step toward shaping the future of Africa