The Kofi Annan Fellowship in Global Health Leadership – 5th Cohort; November 16, 2024
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Introduction
The Fellowship aims to support aspirational public health leaders (Fellows) in Africa in acquiring advanced skills and competencies to strategize, manage and lead public health programmes that will positively transform public health in Africa. Fellows admitted in the programme will be senior public health professionals from African Union Member States who will contribute to and lead the implementation of a new public health order for Africa, and in turn develop the next generation of public health leaders. As we reflect on the remarkable progress of the Kofi Annan Fellowship in Global Health Leadership Programme, having graduated 59 Fellows from over 33 African nations and currently nurturing 25 more from 19 African countries, we witness the tangible impact of this visionary initiative. The program’s alumni have not only honed their leadership qualities but are also actively shaping the future of healthcare across the continent. With fellows authoring books, creating trans national partnerships, with some replicating the program within their institutions, and one even ascending to the role of a Minister of government, the ripple effect of this leadership program is undeniable. For Cohort 5 we continue to encourage a diversity of applicants from across the continent, and specifically for Cohort 5 Sexual and Reproductive health and Public Mental Health Professionals are encouraged to apply. In addition senior cadres working within government ministries and National Public Health Institutes (NPHI) are also strongly encouraged to apply. The programme is now open and accepting applications for the 5th cohort, scheduled to commence in June of 2025.
About the Kofi Annan Fellowship
Kofi Atta Annan, the seventh Secretary General of the United Nations, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and founding chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation, exemplified visionary and principled leadership over the course of his life and career. Of his numerous accomplishments was the establishment of the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (The Global Fund), which changed the approach to preventing and managing infectious diseases and the practice of public health globally. Visionary and principled leadership is critical for Africa to implement a new public health order that will enhance the timely detection and effective response to public health threats, and to ensure Africa has a healthy and productive population. It is also critical for mitigating the economic and social effects of these health threats while contributing to sustainable achievement of Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The African Union Commission launched the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership program on 25 May 2020 in partnership with the Kofi Annan Foundation, following its approval by the Governing Board of Africa CDC in March 2018. The Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership program encompass the Kofi Annan Fellowship in Global Health Leadership, the Kofi Annan Scholars program and the Kofi Annan Policy forum.
Fellowship Benefits
The Fellowship will support one year of high-level professional development in public health leadership that includes skills in health diplomacy, change management and influencing policy, among others. Fellows will be supported by experienced experts in key fields from Africa and other parts of the world.
Financing
Africa CDC will provide all learning and development materials and meet all costs associated with the fellowship, including travel, daily allowance and insurance during the residential placements. Fellows will be supported to ensure that they have the relevant software for online learning.
Eligibility and Application Process
The Fellowship seeks senior public health professionals with:
- Citizenship in an African Union Member State.
- A postgraduate degree in a public health-related field.
- At least 10 years of professional experience after gaining a masters degree in any field of public health, including but not limited to Sexual and Reproductive health, one health, human medicine, finance, health economics, health policy, animal health, or environmental health
- Full-time employment in any area if public health in a public or private health institution in Africa.
- Have a good track record or be able to demonstrate the potential for effective public health leadership where they can positively impact the public health outcomes of populations in Africa.
Applicants must submit the following:
• A support letter from the current employer to confirm employment, guaranteeing that the candidate will be allowed enough time to participate in the Fellowship programme and to attend the full eight weeks of institutional residential experience.
• Letters of recommendation from two reputable professional referees.
• A personal statement (maximum 400 words) providing evidence of the candidate’s commitment to public health in Africa detailing the following:
• Their leadership experience and professional attainment
• Their vision of, and the future impact of effective public health leadership in Africa
• How they would champion public health initiatives in Africa
• A leadership challenge project proposal (maximum 400 words)
that outlines a potential leadership challenge project they will implement which is feasible to complete with in the 12 month of the fellowship. The proposal should include a title, brief description of the challenge (the what, the who is affected, and the why), a proposed strategy for a solution, and the expected outcome.
Applications for Cohort 5 close on December 30, 2024, with the program starting in June 2025.
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Fellowship selection
Fellowship Selection Selection to the Fellowship will be by an independent committee comprising of experts from the African Union Commission, Africa CDC, and their global partners. The selection process will emphasize an equal opportunity approach to secure the representation of women and underrepresented groups.
How to Apply
The Kofi Annan Fellowship in Global Health Leadership is not just a program; it is a movement to secure Africa’s health future. By investing in visionary leaders, it paves the way for robust health systems, resilient communities, and a brighter, healthier Africa.
Africa CDC’s official application page.
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