Chatham House Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship 2023 for African Leaders

Chatham House Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship 2023: Chatham House is pleased to invite applications for the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship in the Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs.

Application Deadline: 5th May 2023 by 10 am (BST)

Eligible Countries: ALL African countries

To be taken at (country): The fellow will be based full-time at Chatham House, London, UK

About the Chatham House Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship: Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a world-renowned independent policy institute. Based in London, our mission is to help build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world. The Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs was established in 2014 and opened by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, adding the capacity to develop a new generation of leaders to the institute’s international reputation for informed debate and independent, cutting-edge research. The Academy aims to equip emerging leaders from around the world with the skills, knowledge, and networks to lead positive policy change in their areas of expertise. Through its programmes, the Academy seeks to provide opportunities for creative, curious, and intellectually driven individuals who share a commitment to tackling the most important challenges in the public sphere. It provides them with the opportunity and space to deepen their understanding of critical issues and to propose new ideas and solutions to complex policy challenges and opportunities.

This fellowship is a joint initiative with the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. It offers candidates at the early-to-mid-stage of their career the opportunity to spend ten months at Chatham House working on an individual research project of their choosing.

To apply for our 2023-2024 Fellowships, we ask that you propose a research project that aims to contribute to Chatham House’s work, research priorities, and mission. Fellows are strongly encouraged to consider our existing research programmes and to develop research proposals that seek to directly contribute to our work on specific topics and regions. Below you can see some suggested topic areas for research projects. You should take into consideration how you can contribute to these priority research areas when designing your project proposal.

Environment and Society Programme

• How might international governance and finance mechanisms be reimagined and/or reinvigorated to better respond to climate-related challenges?
• How has the war in Ukraine affected global and national resource dynamics regarding energy, food or critical materials? How can international governance frameworks reduce these risks and vulnerabilities?

Global Health Programme

• Where might the COVID-19 crisis catalyze universal health reforms?
• How can digital health technologies transform health systems and what is their potential impact?

International Security Programme

• What are the changing roles of non-state actors in armed conflicts and how do they impact the future of conflict?
• How does access to, and competition over, resources, specifically critical minerals and rare earth metals impact conflict dynamics, and what are the potential mitigation measures?
• What are the possible scenarios for new arms control frameworks, and how can they be designed to focus on the ecosystem of actors and confidence-building measures?
• How can international regimes around the peaceful uses of biological, chemical, and/or nuclear technologies be strengthened, and what measures can be taken to foster international collaboration and strengthen the non-proliferation regime?
• What is the role of cybersecurity in achieving economic development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
• What are the current trends and challenges in data governance and security in emerging economies?

International Law Programme

• How can international law address advances in AI and cyberspace, to facilitate state to state cooperation and help constrain harmful activities and impacts, both from states, companies and individuals?
• How can international human rights law deal with the challenges including in relation to new environmental treaties such as the plastics and biodiversity treaties, as well as the impact of populist politics on human rights and trade-related human rights issues?
• How are geopolitical tensions shaping international law, and also the human rights system? What are the long term international law implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine? How can the multilateral system be upheld in the context of these geopolitical challenges and what changes are needed? How can the UK demonstrate effective leadership in international law? How to promote diverse and inclusive leadership, including from the Global South, in international law and the human rights space?

Latin America Initiative

• Have China’s diplomatic and economic approach differed in Africa and Latin America—both across both regions and within the region by country? What are the implications of any differences or similarities? How have host governments responded?

Type: Fellowship

Eligibility:

• 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.

Selection criteria:

• 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.

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Chatham House Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship: The fellow will receive a monthly stipend to cover the costs of accommodation and subsistence. 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 costs.

Duration of Programme: The fellowship is for a 10-month term (between October 2023 and July 2024).

How to Apply for Chatham House Mo Ibrahim Foundation Academy Fellowship: View the online application form

• It is important to go through all application requirements on the Programme Webpage (see link below) before applying
• GOODLUCK!

Visit Programme Webpage for Details