Young Impact Associates (YIA) in Agrifood Systems Fellowship 2025

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Applications are open for Young Impact Associates (YIA) in Agrifood Systems Fellowship 2025. Are you a young African passionate about driving transformational change through data-driven decisions in African agrifood systems? Are you ready to make a difference? Measure impact – Create change – Transform Africa’s agrifood systems landscape? Join the Young Impact Associates (YIA) – Agriculture Focus Fellowship and be part of shaping Africa’s development narrative.

The YIA Fellowship in Agrifood Systems is a year-long flagship program designed to prepare a new generation of African leaders capable to make a difference in the impact measurement field and contribute to driving transformative change in Africa’s agrifood landscape.

The YIA Fellowship in Agrifood Systems is implemented by a consortium of partners including CIFOR-ICRAF, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), and Akademiya2063.

Through the YIA Fellowship, the Mastercard Foundation and the consortium of partners known as Impact Partner Organizations (IPO) aim to accelerates career of emerging African leaders in impact measurement, research, and consulting positioning them to contribute to Africa’s evidence-driven decisions and development.

The YIA Fellowship will support African young professionals in data and impact measurement and will equip them with knowledge, tools and skills, to evaluate, package, and demonstrate the impact of socially inclusive interventions in the African agrifood systems.

The selected participants, known as Young Impact Associates (YIAs), will contribute to Mastercard Foundation’s transformative agenda of “fostering the professional growth and development of young impact leaders by developing their expertise and maintaining their engagement and interest in the impact field”.

Fellowship structure

The Fellowship will include a combination of in-person and virtual training, workshops, and coaching sessions. The Young Impact Associates will benefit from:

Practical experience
On-location work placements with leading organizations in the impact measurement sector for intensive industry immersion experiences
Mentorship and coaching
Guidance and support from seasoned professionals
Customized training in leadership, impact measurement and related topics
Peer learning and collaboration to strengthen the YIA networks and promote intracountry partnerships

YIA Fellowship in Agrifood Systems Benefits

Upon your successful selection, you will join the YIA Fellowship for one year and receive a monthly stipend throughout the program’s duration -12 months. The program will also cover non-financial items, which will be detailed at the start of the Fellowship activities.
Upon completing the Fellowship, you will become a part of the Mastercard Foundation global alumni, connecting you with a community of passionate individuals committed to leading positive change in the continent.

Program duration

The YIA Fellowship activities will begin in mid-June 2025 and will run until end May 2026.

Eligibility Criteria for YIA Fellowship in Agrifood Systems

Nationals of Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda, residing in Africa
Must be aged between 18 and 35 years
Engaged in full-time, part-time work, self-employment, studying, or unemployed
With a good command of both written and spoken English
Have a minimum of a diploma, bachelor’s degree in relevant disciplines including social sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, data sciences, environmental and climate science, international development, policy and governance, etc.
Mission-driven interest and passion for the impact measurement field
Motivation and clear aspirations to leverage data-driven approaches
Commitment to a 12-month full-time program participation

How To Apply for YIA Fellowship in Agrifood Systems

Applications must be submitted through this link click here.
The applicants should fill out all the necessary fields. Only complete applications will be reviewed by the Selection committee.
Applicants should have the required documents ready before starting the application process. These include:
- An updated CV (maximum 3 pages) including the full names, email, and telephone of two reference contacts
- A one-page motivation letter outlining the reasons for joining the YIA Fellowship, expectations and professional aspirations

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Application Deadline: April 30, 2025, 23:59, East Africa Time (GMT+3).