The AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Science

The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Science. This Call is available to all nations in Sub-Saharan Africa and is aimed towards young women in science under the age of 35.

The AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Science is a customized learning experience targeting young African women in science under the age of 35 years. The collaborative program is designed to equip participants with skills and confidence to lead and innovate in the scientific world. A six-month virtual program, the AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Science will be offered to young women from sub-Saharan Africa who will be competitively selected through an open call for applications.

Women comprise a mere 28.8 percent of the world’s scientists and winning only three percent of the science Nobel Prizes and five percent of all Nobel prizes . The underrepresentation of women in leadership roles ultimately affects progress toward sustainable development and achievement of the global sustainable development goals. To ensure women’s effective participation in leadership, it is critical that women access learning opportunities to gain skills that will equip them to lead effectively. The AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Science is tailored to address some of the challenges that impede young women’s
growth into leadership in science.

Participants will get a deeper understanding of:
• Effective leadership styles and developing their leadership potential
• How to define their career path and leverage networks to advance their careers
• How to develop personal brands to build confidence in pitching their research ideas to potential funding
agencies and collaborators
• The necessary tools and skills to successfully manage teams, navigate organizational dynamics, build
alliances, and take risks
• How to navigate around gender dynamics and apply proven strategies to be effective negotiators and
problem solvers

Benefits:

• The six-month virtual collaborative leadership program is uniquely designed to equip participants with the skills and confidence to lead and innovate. Participants will attend immersive training sessions on various topics, including leadership and management, communication and gender-responsive research. The program is further designed to foster peer learning through group coaching, enabling participants to leverage peers’ wisdom and experience to respond to leadership challenges better.
• The Leadership Program will also expose participants to innovative tools for developing career roadmaps and navigating complex environments, expanding their networks while prioritizing their participation in various learning forums offered by AWARD and its partners.
• Participants will reeive certificate of completion upon successfully attending and completing all training sessions.

Eligibility:

•  The program is available to high-potential female applicants below the age of 35 years working in
  science, and with at least five years full-time sector experience
• Education qualification: Applicants must have a minimum of a B.Sc. degree from a recognized university
• Applicants must demonstrate their commitment to growth, clearly articulate their career goals and
  demonstrate their ability to take on leadership responsibility
• Only applicants from sub-Saharan African countries are eligible to apply
• Language: The language of instruction and delivery is English, and participants must have a working
  knowledge of the English language. Language support is not available for this program
• Applicants must submit their application not later than June 16, 2023 2359hrs EAT
• Applications must be submitted only through the online link provided on our website
• Successful participants will be notified by July 2023
• AWARD Fellows, Fellows’ mentees, One Planet Laureate Candidates and Mentors are not eligible
• The participants MUST commit to attend all the training sessions. A session guide will be shared in
  advance
• The program is offered exclusively via virtual platforms and participants will need access to a computer
  and internet connection. Basic requirements will be to access YouTube, ZOOM and the AWARD online
  training portal
• Participants will receive a certificate of completion upon successfully attending and completing all
  training sessions

Click here to apply