The United Nations has launched an ambitious and transformative initiative the United Nations African Policy Innovation Fellowship 2025 designed to equip junior and mid-level African policymakers with the skills, tools, and global exposure needed to develop innovative, data-driven, and context-relevant policies.
Aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Secretary-General’s strategic vision, this fellowship targets the continent’s most pressing challenges by enhancing policy formulation and implementation capacity.
Structured as a six-month immersive program, the fellowship is tailored to tackle the root causes of underdevelopment in Africa while contributing to peacebuilding, sustainable development, and institutional reform.
Quick Overview: UN African Policy Innovation Fellowship 2025
| Feature | Details |
| Organizer | United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) |
| Program Duration | July – December 2025 |
| Location | Hybrid: Online & In-person (UN HQ, New York & Home Country) |
| Target Group | Junior to mid-level African civil servants (age ≤ 40) |
| Fellowship Structure | 3 Phases: Conceptualization → Policy Development → Implementation Preparation |
| Benefits | Stipend, airfare, medical cover, mentorship, UN networking |
| Deadline to Apply | 20 June 2025 (midnight, New York time) |
| Language Requirement | Fluency in English or French (knowledge of both is a plus) |
About the Fellowship
The UN African Policy Innovation Fellowship was created in response to General Assembly Resolutions A/75/917 and A/77/644. It is rooted in the commitment to strengthen Africa’s institutional capacity for policy analysis, design, and monitoring.
By investing in the next generation of African policymakers, the fellowship contributes to sustainable development and peacebuilding through a structured model that emphasizes applied learning and innovation.
Participants will benefit from world-class mentorship, technical training, and direct engagement with the United Nations system. The program also aims to bridge the policy-to-practice gap at the national level by fostering leadership that is inclusive, transparent, and accountable.
Fellowship Structure: 3 Phases
1: Conceptualization
- Focus: Diagnostic analysis, data use, policy design
- Activities: Online training, mentorship, proposal development
- Deliverables: Conceptual framework document & data inventory
- Timeline: July 2025 (virtual)
2: Policy Innovation Development
- Focus: Policy refinement, fiscal planning, UN policy interface
- Placement: Fellows are hosted by relevant UN bodies in New York
- Deliverables: Comprehensive policy paper
- Timeline: August–October 2025 (in-person at UN HQ, New York)
3: Implementation Preparation
- Focus: Stakeholder engagement, risk analysis, financing strategies
- Activities: National consultations, UN coordination
- Deliverables: Final implementation strategy with financing model
- Timeline: November–December 2025 (in-country collaboration)
Post-Fellowship Engagement
After completing the core six-month program, fellows return to their national roles with the goal of driving policy implementation.
The UN OSAA provides ongoing support, structured follow-up, and access to catalytic partnerships.
Progress is monitored annually to inform future policymaking at both national and regional levels.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be junior or mid-level civil servants (age limit: 40 years)
- Work in ministries such as Finance, Energy, Agriculture, Education, or Planning
- Have experience in policy analysis, governance, or socio-economic development
- Hold an advanced degree (Master’s/PhD or equivalent); a bachelor’s degree with 2+ years’ relevant experience may be accepted
- Demonstrate fluency in English or French
- Provide a signed endorsement letter from their supervisor
- Submit a complete application including:
- A one-page CV
- A well-researched project proposal related to one of the 6 UN transitions
- Data inventory and financing framework within the proposal
Logistical & Financial Support
Fellows will receive:
- Return air travel to New York
- A monthly stipend to cover accommodation and living expenses
- Medical insurance as per UN regulations
Note: The stipend is not a salary or honorarium and is not intended to support family or home country expenses.
How to Apply
The application is easy; follow the steps below:
Interested applicants must submit their documents via the official application form. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Required Documents:
- One-page CV
- Supervisor’s Endorsement Letter (sample available on the site)
- Completed Project Proposal (template must be used)
For more details, visit the website here https://www.un.org/osaa/fellowship
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