23rd April 2012 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE AUSTRALIA LEADERSHIP AWARDS FELLOWSHIP 2013. Greetings from Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA). AMwA in collaboration with Flinders University’s Gender Consortium, Centre for Development Studies, Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences, Adelaide Australia, invite you to submit your Application for an AusAID Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) Fellowship Program titled Empowering African Women Economically and Improving Their Livelihood Security. The Fellowship Program will be managed by Flinders University of South Australia in partnership with AMwA and is looking for 16 Fellows from eligible African countries (Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroun, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe) to participate in a 10 week Program during the period of September to December 2013 in Adelaide, Australia. BACKGROUND The goal of the ALA Fellowship Program is to develop the skills of African women leaders, current and aspiring, so they can efficiently and effectively contribute to gender inclusive development in their own countries and in the African continent as a whole. FELLOWSHIP CONTENT AND APPROACH The proposed Fellowship Program will cover topics such as gender analysis, mainstreaming strategies, women’s leadership and other key gender issues. The approach would be participatory and will include guest speakers, field visits, mentoring and leadership teaching and learning strategies. Other activities include : o Pre‐Departure Orientation : Online/distance de‐briefing activities for the selected Fellows. These sessions will be held to discuss the objectives and aims of the Fellowship from AMwA’s perspective.
o In‐Australia Fellowship: Approximately 10 weeks. This part of the Program will include intensive training, field visits, guest speakers, leadership networking and the development of policy briefs and action plans. o In‐Africa Post Fellowship Follow up Workshops : Online/distance de‐briefing activities co‐ordinated by AMwA who will provide a forum for the Fellows to share their knowledge and experiences gained from the Fellowship Program. It is hoped that a network of fellows can be formed that can be called upon for various activities such as speakers, mentors etc. the opportunities are numerous. This will be an in‐ kind contribution that fellows will be expected to make. EXPECTATION OF SELECTED FELLOWS Selected Fellows will be expected to do the following : • Attend and actively participate in all of the Pre‐Departure, In‐Australia and In‐ Africa Fellowship Program activities. • Make valuable contributions towards the achievements and outcomes of the Program. • Contribute, participate in the leadership building activities and team based work. SELECTION CRITERIA In order to be successfully selected for the Fellowship Program, candidates should have: Demonstrated the potential to assume leadership roles that can influence gender sensitive social and economic policy reform and development outcomes in their country of origin and in the African region. Be an African woman aged between 25 and 45 years Demonstrated evidence of experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment issues for at least 3 years. Demonstrated evidence of personal or professional commitment to addressing gendered dimensions of key gender issues such as economic empowerment of women, livelihood security, violence against women, HIV/AID’s etc. Demonstrated a strong command of the English language (speaking, reading, understanding and writing) in order to effectively participate and contribute in the course. Good health to participate actively in the training. Ability to work in a multi‐cultural setting. In addition to the above, candidates :
must be a citizen of or residing and working in the following ALA Fellowships eligible African countries i.e. (Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroun, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe) Obtain a Letter of Support from their employer (including permission to share
and implement in the work place what they learned on their return.) And a commitment of continued employment with their current employer for 6 to 12 months. Commit to complete the ALA Fellowship Program including the Pre and Post Fellowship activities. Must NOT have Australian permanent residence status / or be applying for permanent residency.
INCLUSION OF WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES AS FELLOWS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Affirmative action strategies and principles will be used as part of the selection of Fellows from marginalized backgrounds especially women with disabilities. The final selection of Fellows will be based on the strength of the individual applications. However, in helping to determine the composition of selected group, the Selection Panel will put some emphasis on the diversity of sector representation/occupations; personal, community and work experiences; skills and areas of influence. COSTS COVERED BY THE ALA FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM o Fellowship Training Course Fees o Return international air fares from country of origin to Adelaide, Australia (and airport transfer costs if needed) o Travel Insurance o o o o o
Health Insurance for the duration of the stay in Australia Share accommodation in Australia Local In‐Australia daily allowance Local In‐Australia transport costs Health Check fees (for the Visa Application)
THE APPLICATION PROCESS All potential Fellowship candidates need to complete THE FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION PACKET – Please note that ALL parts of MUST be completed. The Fellowship Application Packet should be filled and completed and returned to : Bona Okwenje at
[email protected] and / or
[email protected] no later than 5 pm on Monday 14th May 2012. Applications can be sent by courier to AMwA at : C/O Bona Okwenje, Akina Mama wa Afrika, 30 Bukoto Street, Kamwokya, Kampala Uganda. Tel : +256‐414‐543‐681. We look forward to receiving your Application. Yours sincerely,
Leah Chatta‐Chipepa Executive Director.
