Mandela Washington Fellowship Readers for 2025 Fellowship Applications (Fully Funded to USA)(Fully Funded to USA)

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The U.S. Department of State and IREX are seeking academic, professional, and regional experts to read and score applications for the 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

The Fellowship brings young leaders to the United States for academic coursework and leadership training to create unique opportunities for Fellows and U.S. citizens to collaborate, spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa and the United States.

Readers will be responsible for evaluating approximately 50 applications based on set guidelines and a scoring rubric. This is a great volunteer professional development and résumé-building opportunity for professionals or degree-seeking individuals.

Mandela Washington Fellowship Readers Requirements

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

Are between the ages of 25 and 35 on or before the application deadline, although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 will be considered;
Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English (additional guidance coming for applicants who are deaf);
Are citizens of one of the following countries:
- Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Cote d’Ivoire,
- Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius,
- Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe;
Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Ideal readers are academics and/or professionals with expertise in one or more of the Fellowship’s thematic areas (business, civic engagement, or public management), or who have experience working in Africa or on sub-Saharan African issues.
S. Government employees and Fellowship Alumni are eligible. Applicants for the 2024 Fellowship are not eligible to be readers.

Duration and Reward

The Fellowship is a fully funded unparalleled opportunity to;

Participate in a six-week Leadership Institute at a U.S. college or university to share your experiences with and learn from U.S. citizens and other Fellows.
Explore industries beyond your daily work and expand your expertise.
Participate in a Summit with young African leaders.
Meet with U.S. Government, civic, and business leaders.
Strengthen your work through new connections, skills, and ideas.
Join a continental and global Alumni Network to help you seek innovative solutions to common challenges.

Criteria for Selection

The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in business, civic engagement, or public service;
A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others;
Strong social and communication skills;
An energetic, positive attitude;
A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/track; and
A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and/or community after they return home.