Call for the Second Cohort of Business for Peace Fellowship – Initiative Africa, Ethiopia

Initiative Africa

Business for Peace Fellowship

Call for the Second Cohort of Business for Peace Fellowship 

(November 2022-January 2023)

Background 

Initiative Africa (IA) has been working with national and international partners across Ethiopia on various development, peace and civic projects. In line with the priorities of the government, IA has increasingly been trying to use capacity development approaches that foster resilience in government and society – resilience to crises in livelihood, good governance, gender and peace.

In this regard IA has secured a grant from Sida (Swedish Embassy) to support peacebuilding and good governance initiatives throughout Ethiopia. The overall goal of the project is to persuade business to participate in peacebuilding and good governance issues in Ethiopia. The project is structured around three immediate objectives:

• To mobilize the business community to engage in peacebuilding and conflict resolution actions and activities.
• Through corporate social responsibility to maintain support for effective peace building and inclusive coordination amongst Government, private sector, media actors and civil society.
• To respond to concrete challenges and opportunities to build a peaceful and just Ethiopia through civic education, training, internship and apprenticeship activities.

The business for Peace Fellowship is part of building the capacity of the Business Sector and a strategy to engage them in Peacebuilding activities.  It offers candidates at the mid-stage of their career the opportunity to conduct business but also engage and learn the skills and techniques of peacebuilding. Fellows take part in the core work of the IA, developing their skills through the leadership programme, and furthering their professional network in the field of Business and Peace.

How is it structured?

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

• Completing a personal research project: the fellow will choose and design a personal project to undertake with the guidance of an expert assigned by IA expert (approximately 40%).
• Contributing to the ongoing research, work, training activities at IA: working with IA team and other experts as appropriate (approximately 30%).
• Leadership Programme: it is a key part of all fellowships. It aims to develop fellow’s knowledge, network, self-awareness and to equip them with important skills on which they can draw in their future careers as Business for Peace Fellows (approximately 30%).

All fellows participate in and contribute to the Fellowship Programme which encompasses the following components:

• Induction week: The fellowship begins with an induction session to become familiarized with the elements of the fellowships, meet mentors and have their first personal development coaching session.
• Monthly face-to-face seminars: These sessions highlight the principal substantive and skills-based areas vital for Peace-building Fellows are expected to contribute to and learn from one another’s experience.
• Off-site visits and travel: Fellows will have one visit within Ethiopia and one outside Ethiopia. This will be designed for each fellowship cohort.
• Leadership workshops: 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 to help develop presentation skills, provide a forum for peer-review and to analyse issues outside their own area of expertise.
• Personal development coaching: Fellows have access to one-on-one sessions with a dedicated coach as a way to grow their self-awareness. Fellows work with the coach to set personal development objectives which they work to meet during their fellowship and beyond.
• Skills Development Blogs, article, interviews, etc: Fellows learn effective interview skills needed for television and radio culminating in a mock interview from which they receive feedback on style and any areas of improvement. They will also contribute in writing for IA media and newsletter and other platforms.
• ‘Business for Peace leadership’ Breakfast Briefings
  • All fellows benefit from priority access to the ‘Leadership in the 21st Century’ Breakfast Briefings series. There, they have the opportunity to discuss leadership experiences and learn in an informal setting with leaders from government, business, media and the non-profit sectors.

Benefits

• This is not a paid fellowship but any activity related to workshops, training and travel will be covered by IA.

Can I undertake other work or study at the same time as my fellowship?

• Yes. This is not a full time fellowship. The program and key workshops, trainings and travels will be communicated to fellows beforehand so that can schedule their other commitments accordingly.

Duration

• The fellowship is for three months from November 2022 to January 2023.

Selection criteria

• Nationality eligibility requirements
• Leadership potential
• 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
• Demonstrating the necessary English-language ability
• Motivation for undertaking the fellowship and passion and commitment for peace.
• A post-fellowship plan which indicates how the candidate will apply their research, skills and knowledge of the business sector in peacebuilding

Selection process:

• Stage one: complete the application. Once the submission period ends, all applications will be reviewed and shortlisted by our selection committee.
• Stage two: shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview. The interviews are carried out by a member of senior management at IA and may include a senior representative of the organization sponsoring the fellowship. After this round, fellows will be selected and notified via email.

Education

• Applicants must hold a completed BA degree or equivalent. Master’s degree is a plus.
• Applicants should be active in the business sector for a minimum of 5 years.

Age restrictions

• We do not impose age restrictions for applicants. However, Academy fellowships are aimed at individuals at the mid-stage of their career.

Who can apply? 

• The fellowship is open to Ethiopian citizens only