Deadline: 17th August 2024

Applications are now open for the UN ECA 2024 Scholarship Programme for Young African Professionals . This fellowship programme aims to provide practical work experience to early and mid-career young professionals in academia, the public sector or international development, giving them exposure to and learning in a multicultural UN environment and contributing to the work of ECA.

It will also provide candidates with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Commission's extensive programmes and services to member states and sub-regional bodies in addressing the economic and social dimensions of Africa's development priorities. This is expected to enhance their skills, capacity and intellectual capability.

Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority, the fellows will be responsible for the following functions:

• The Fellow(s) will agree to a work programme, either in the Programme Pillar focusing on the areas of economic and social development, or in the Programme Support Pillar focusing on the areas of communication, advocacy, knowledge/information management and administration. The work programme will be mutually defined with the hosting/mentoring Division, Sub-Regional Office or Centre. The grantee(s) will contribute to the work of the Division, Sub-Regional Office or Centre by carrying out research, analytical studies, preparing reports and supporting other activities as indicated.
• Tasks within the focus areas may include, but are not limited to, collecting, assessing, interpreting and analysing economic, social and political development issues in the focus areas. The fellow(s) will also contribute to technical and policy reports, briefing notes and support the organisation and maintenance of expert group meetings, workshops and seminars; and carry out various other administrative tasks for the effective execution of the activities. The fellow(s) will be expected to prepare a research paper and give a presentation on it during the course of the scholarship.

Benefits

• The fellows selected must be available to travel to their designated place of work, as decided by the ECA after the selection process;
• Selected scholars will receive a return air ticket between their country of residence and their assigned place of work;
• Selected fellows will receive a one-off adaptation grant of US$ 3,000 (for fellows recruited off-site) and a monthly grant of US$ 3,000 each for the duration of the fellowship. Please note that the final month's stipend will only be paid on presentation of:
  • A peer-reviewed scholarship research article,
  • A comprehensive scholarship report, an approved final performance evaluation of the scholar,
  • A completed scholarship programme evaluation form and
  • An exit boarding pass or immigration stamp showing that you have left your place of work and returned to your home country, where both are not the same, at the end of your scholarship programme.
• The scholarship programme lasts for six months, but can be extended for a maximum of another six months.

Eligibility

• Candidates applying for this scholarship programme must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application;
• The candidate must be a national of a member state of the Economic Commission for Africa;
• The candidate must have graduated before 1 July 2024 from a master's or doctoral programme, or equivalent;
• The candidate must be interested in one or more of the thematic areas identified;
• The successful candidate will work on a pre-defined project designed to contribute to specific aspects of the work programme of the Mentoring Division, Sub-Regional Office or ECA Centres, and contribute to other activities;
• The selected candidate will be expected to attend national, regional or international meetings as designated for exhibition;
• The selected candidate will be required to submit and present a peer-reviewed research paper at a seminar at the end of the assignment; and
• The selected candidate will be part of an ECA Fellows alumni association and a member of the international development "community of practice".

Application

Applicants should send their Administrative Profiles (APs) and the following documents as
PDF attachments:

• UN Administrative Profile (AP) in PDF format, including a motivation statement (cover letter) within the AP (to be sent as an attachment to the e-mail submission). The UN AP (Administrative Profile) can be created by signing up for an account at: https://inspira.un.org.
• A research proposal of at least 1,000 words (in the applicant's preferred subject area listed above). The candidate must clearly indicate the thematic area of their choice at the top of the research proposal document.
• Copies of all advanced-level academic qualifications obtained (e.g. doctorate and/or master's degree). As an advanced degree is required for the scholarship, first level (bachelor's degree) diplomas and certificates should NOT be sent.
• Copy of the applicant's national passport (information page only); if you have multiple nationalities, the passport provided must be that of an ECA member state) e;
• Three letters of reference/recommendation.

All entries should be sent by e-mail to RecruitmentPPost@un.org .