United Nations African Policy Innovation Fellowship 2025

The United Nations African Policy Innovation Fellowship 2025 aims to support fellows in identifying the interlinkages between different areas of sustainable development and peace. The program seeks to transform policy proposals into triggers of sustainable development and durable peace.

📜 About the Fellowship

Upon completion of the fellowship, participants are expected to apply 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.

Opportunity Details:

• Date Published: May 21, 2025
• Application Deadline: June 20, 2025
• Category: Fellowship
• Opportunity Location: United States
• Sponsor Organisation: United Nations (UN)

🎁 Benefits of the Fellowship

• In-Person Component: Subject to satisfactory completion of the initial phase and the issuance of an appropriate visa, fellows will attend an in-person component at the UN Headquarters in New York.
  • Support Provided:
    • Return air ticket
    • Monthly stipend
    • Medical cover (subject to UN regulations)
• The stipend is intended to cover lodging, board, and other essentials. It is not a salary or honorarium.
• Payment of the final monthly stipend is contingent upon submission of all required documents for this phase of the fellowship.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Professional Background:

   • Current junior to mid-level civil servants in their home countries.
   • Engaged in key ministries such as finance and planning, energy, agriculture, education, and homeland security.
   • Demonstrated work experience in research/analytical work in areas such as:
     • Socioeconomic and political development
     • Trade and investment
     • Natural resource management/law
     • Regional integration
     • Infrastructure development (e.g., transportation, logistics, energy)
     • Governance and peace
   • Strong analytical, research, data, communication, and interpersonal skills.

2. Educational Qualifications:

   • Advanced university degree (Master's or doctorate) linked to the area of specialization in the project proposal.
   • A first-level university degree with two years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

3. Age Limit: Maximum age of 40 years at the time of application.

4. Language Proficiency:

   • Fluency in English or French (working languages of the UN Secretariat).
   • Working knowledge of the other language is an advantage.

5. Supervisor's Endorsement Letter:

   • Applicants must submit a signed letter confirming support and releasing the fellow for the in-person phase.

📝 Application Process

To apply, complete and submit your application through the official application portal. The application form must include the following documents:

• A one-page resume (curriculum vitae).
• The signed supervisor's endorsement letter.
• Your completed project proposal.

📅 Application Deadline

The deadline to apply is June 20, 2025.

🌐 Application Portal

For more details, visit the United Nations African Policy Innovation Fellowship page.

To apply directly, use the application form.

• Subject to satisfactory completion of the initial phase of the Fellowship and the issuance of an appropriate visa by the host country, an in-person component at UN Headquarters in New York is foreseen. During this phase, Fellows will be supported with a return air ticket, a monthly stipend, and medical cover, subject to UN regulations.
• Note that the stipend is intended to support fellows in covering the costs of lodging, board and other essentials and is not intended as a salary or honorarium, or to support fellows' expenses in their home countries.
• Payment of the final monthly stipend is subject to the submission of all required documents for this phase of the fellowship.