AWF Announces Call for Applications for Charles R. Wall Leadership Program

(NAIROBI, KENYA — January 13, 2023) The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) has announced the call for applications for the Charles R. Wall Leadership Program. The program consists of two components — the Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows and the Charles R. Wall Conservation Leadership and Management Fellowship — and aims to build communities of skilled and connected young African professionals that will drive meaningful transformation in conservation in Africa.

The Young African Policy Fellows Program, which is in its second cohort, purposes to train young professionals to be policy negotiators on International Environmental Governance, especially on the Convention on Biological Diversity. The 9-month program is offered by AWF and the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP).

The inaugural Conservation Leadership and Management Fellowship is a 9-month intensive and pioneering pan-African leadership program for young African professionals in the conservation sector led by AWF. With a key focus on self-leadership, team leadership, and organizational leadership, the fellowship brings together young African professionals from business, NGOs, the public sector, and community-based entities that are leading impact in the environment space. Charles R. Wall Conservation Leadership and Management Fellowship will impart them with transformational leadership and management skills needed to lead systemic impact in environmental issues.

Simangele Msweli, AWF Senior Youth Manager expressed, “Skills are learnt by practice and through the Charles R. Wall leadership programs, we are looking forward to providing opportunities for fellows to learn practically, through attending policymaking conferences as part of the AWF delegation, visiting other conservation organizations for experimental learning, writing policy briefs, and many other opportunities.”

A group of 30 (15:15) young leaders will join both programs set to commence in April 2023. The fellowship will prepare participants with tools, resources, and knowledge to lead systemic change in the environmental sector, especially in conservation. It also aims to ignite their fire and prepare them to tap into leadership and talents as they explore who they are, their values and purpose to create change and impact on pertinent environmental issues.

Director and Regional Representative of the UNEP Africa Office Frank Turyatunga said, “In order for us to maximize the ability of youth to generate leaders and negotiators in international environmental politics and biodiversity, we need to engage in proper capacity-building strategies. The Charles R. Wall Leadership Program is a good opportunity to build such leadership capabilities for the youth.”

African youth aged 20-35 years are now officially invited to apply for the two training programs, which will include virtual workshops and physical workshops in Nairobi, Kenya. Policy fellows will have several opportunities to engage in national and international policymaking meetings and conventions while leadership and management fellows will have opportunities to visit successful conservation organizations and projects to draw lessons. The application deadline is February 7, 2023, with the training expected to commence in April 2023.

African youth have proven themselves to champion the sustainable development agenda in the continent, and these programmes take them a step further in either influencing international policies or leading on-ground action.

Each applicant is expected to submit a motivation letter responding to why the candidate would like to be considered alongside a Curriculum Vitae and reference letter from their university, employer, or any senior person with whom they have worked. An online or pre-recorded video interview may also be part of the recruitment process.

Applications will only be accepted online. For questions, please send an email to charleswallfellows@gmail.com with the subject line ‘Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows’ or ‘Charles R. Wall Conservation Leadership and Management Fellowship’ depending on which program your query relates. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

More information on the eligibility criteria and the nomination form can be found below:
Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows
Charles R. Wall Conservation Leadership and Management Fellowship

About African Wildlife Foundation

The African Wildlife Foundation is the primary advocate for the protection of wildlife and their habitats as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa. Founded in 1961 during the African independence movement in order to build our capacity to steward our natural resources, AWF articulates a uniquely African vision, bridging science, education, public policy, and field programs to demonstrate the benefits of conservation and build a future for Africa where people and wildlife thrive.

About the United Nations Environment Programme

UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

MEDIA CONTACTS: For more information or to arrange interviews contact: Wambui Odhiambo of AWF in Nairobi, Kenya at wodhiambo@awf.org or Mohamed Atani from the U.N. Environment Programme at mohamed.atani@un.org