Chatham House Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship for African Leaders 2022-2023

A fellow’s time will be split between three key areas: 

• Completing a personal research project of the fellow’s own design undertaken with the guidance of a Chatham House expert, (approximately 50%).
• Contributing to the ongoing research activities of their host research team and other Chatham House teams as appropriate (approximately 20%).
• Participation in the Academy’s Leadership Programme (approximately 30%). The Leadership Programme is a key part of the Academy fellowships. It provides fellows with the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills, network and self-awareness, which they can then draw upon in their future careers as effective leaders in their field. 

Leadership Programme

All Academy fellows participate in, and contribute to, the Academy’s Leadership Programme which encompasses the following components:

• Intensive induction week Academy fellowships begin with an intensive five-day induction week at Chatham House to become familiarized with the elements of the fellowships and the Leadership Programme, meet their host research programme, and have their first personal development coaching session.
• Weekly discussion seminars These sessions highlight the principal substantive and skills-based areas the Academy believes vital for informed and effective international leadership. Fellows are expected to contribute to and learn from one another’s experience.
• Global Introductions off-site visits These half-day visits take place approximately every two months and allow fellows to meet with leaders and senior decision-makers from a variety of sectors. Previous visits have included the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for International Development, Standard Chartered, and Thomson Reuters.
• Leadership workshops Every two months fellows participate in half-day workshops focusing on specific aspects of leadership such as ‘Leadership in a new role’ and ‘Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship’
• Project presentations Fellows present updates on their research projects which  help fellow develop presentation skills, provide a valuable forum for peer-review and to think about and analyse issues outside their own area of expertise.
• Personal development coaching Chatham House Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellows join the Academy seeking to grow their self-awareness through monthly one-on-one sessions with a dedicated coach, with whom they set personal development objectives which they work to meet during their fellowship and beyond.
• Media training Fellows learn how to interview effectively on television and radio, culminating in a mock interview from which they receive feedback on their presentation style and any areas of improvement
• ‘Leadership in the 21st Century’ Breakfast Briefings Academy fellows will have priority in participating in the ‘Leadership in the 21st Century’ Breakfast Briefings series, giving them the opportunity to discuss leadership experiences and lessons in an informal setting with acknowledged leaders from government, business, media and the non-profit sectors.
• Career mentors Fellows have the option to have an external career mentor during their fellowship. Mentors are independent of the Academy and Chatham House and are picked individually for each fellow based on their career objectives.

About Chatham House

Paris, 1919: Lionel Curtis, a British diplo­mat, delivered a barnstorming speech to the British and American delegates to the Paris Peace Conference, championing a vi­sion that was to alter the course of interna­tional politics. Curtis’s idea was for an organization whose purpose would be to foster mutual understanding of and between nations through debate, dialogue and independ­ent analysis. Bodies already existed for the advancement of science, medicine and the arts. Why not, with Europe still reeling from the First World War, create one for international relations? ... read more

Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship

Additionally, the Academy will cover costs related to relocation, visas and payment of the UK’s Immigration Healthcare Surcharge which allows access to the UK National Health Service (Note: you may be required to pay for dental and optical treatments and medicines prescribed by a doctor), fieldwork and travel, research activities, and possible publication.

Requirements for Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship Qualification

• The Chatham House Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship is open to candidates holding nationality from any African country.
• Applications will also be accepted from applicants holding dual nationality which includes one African country.
• All applicants should possess knowledge of, and an interest in, international affairs, their chosen area of research, and Chatham House’s mission and research.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship

• Meet nationality requirements
• Must hold a completed BA degree or equivalent
• Must have a minimum of two years of professional experience in the field of the proposed research (this can include a PhD)
• Experience with conducting independent research is essential
• Proven leadership experience or leadership potential
• Commitment to Chatham House values
• Aptitude to benefit from the broad and inclusive nature of the fellowship
• The relevance and clarity of the proposed research project, as demonstrated through the project proposal
• Relevant background experience, as demonstrated through the curriculum vitae
• Demonstrate the necessary English-language ability
• Motivation to undertake the fellowship
• A post-fellowship plan which indicates how the candidate will apply their research, skills and knowledge

To apply, please complete the application form and submit a copy of your CV.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit Chatham House website.