Applications close on 21/08/2022. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted

The YALI Regional Leadership Center West Africa is looking for young men and women between the ages of 18 and 35 from Togo, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Cameroon and Sierra Leone who are ready to embrace leadership and work hard to transform their countries.

Selection for participation in the YALI Regional Leadership Center West Africa will be conducted as a merit-based, open competition. All eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection panel. Chosen semi-finalists will then be interviewed before a final selection is made and an invitation to join the program is issued.

Who Should Apply?

Competition for the YALI Regional Leadership Center West Africa is merit-based and open to young West African leaders who meet the following criteria:

• Are 18 to 35 years of age at the time of application submission,
• Are citizens and residents of one of the following countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra     Leone, The Gambia and Burkina Faso.
• Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
• Are eligible to receive any necessary visa to Ghana, and
• Are proficient in reading, writing, listening and speaking English.

Reasons to Apply to the YALI Accra RLC

• At the end of the program participants will be awarded with certificates and become members of the prestigious YALI Alumni
• Participants will be taken through various forms of leadership training to prepare them for leadership roles in their various organizations, communities and countries.

Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The management of the YALI Regional Leadership Center, West Africa – Accra reserves the right to verify all information applicants provide during the application process.

Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications:

• Demonstrated leadership in public service, business and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement.
• Active engagement in public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
• The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others.
• Strong social and communication skills.
• An energetic, positive attitude.
• A demonstrated knowledge, interest, and professional experience in the sector/track selected, and
• A commitment to apply leadership skills and training to benefit your country and/or community after the program.

Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

WHAT IS YALI?

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) was launched by the United States government as a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. The need to invest in grooming strong, results-oriented leaders comes out of the statistics: nearly 1 in 3 Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60% of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35. Who will empower and lead these young Africans? Who will shape the future of business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and public management? In order to answer these questions, YALI promotes three models designed to identify and empower young leaders: the YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship,YALI Network and now the establishment of Regional Leadership Centers across Africa.

Supporting this progress, the Accra Regional Leadership Centre (RLC), as part of the United States government initiative, Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI), will offer an innovative and game changing leadership training program in Africa. The program will be hosted by Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), and the first cohort will walk through the doors on the 31st July 2014.

HOW THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED

Africa continues to make positive headlines relating to strong economic growth, improved attractiveness for investment as well as improved governance and leadership among other areas. Supporting this progress, the Accra Regional Leadership Centre (RLC), as part of united state government initiative, Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI), will offer an innovative and game changing leadership training program in Africa. The program will be hosted by Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), and the first cohort will walk through the doors on the 31st July 2014. The program is two pronged by design with the Emerging Leaders Program targeting Africa’s young leaders and the Executive Leadership Program targeting the more experienced African leader group. The overall program entails a combination of taught content as well as practical and in-the-field leadership engagements.

The Emerging Leaders Program will teach young African leaders about modern leadership over a period of 17 weeks. The program will be broken down into four phases – a 5 week coursework phase delivered in-person or online and the remaining 12 weeks distributed equally among a mentorship program, internship or community service, and a report writing period. Focusing on the 5 week coursework phase, it will entail three core courses (Leadership and Accountability, Ethics, and Contemporary issues affecting Africa) and one elective course selected from a sample of three courses covering three themes, namely Entrepreneurship, Public Policy and Management, and Civil Society Management. The in-person training will be conducted in Ghana at the Accra RLC whereas the on-line course will be available from any location around West Africa. Course facilitators/trainers will be selected from among proven leaders from Africa and around the world. Innovative teaching and training approaches will be used to enhance learner experience and motivation. For example, theoretical content will be put into context using case studies, real life organizational analysis as well as site visits among other approaches. Various evaluation methods will be employed including self-evaluation/introspection and assessment of individual or group work by the course facilitator. In order to provide the best experience to online students, the online course platform will offer downloading of training videos, transcripts of lectures as well as lecture notes and reports on field/organizational visits by course participants. Online chat rooms and other communication platforms will be set up to enable learner collaboration (group work, team projects etc.) as well as to allow students engage course facilitators. It is worth noting, however, that the curriculum for both modes of study is the same. The leadership training program has developed and will continue to develop partnerships with leading universities from the United States and Ghana, international and local development organizations as well as the private sector in-order to develop and implement a strong and innovative curriculum that will produce transformative leaders in Africa.

What YALI Offer

Business and Entrepreneurship

This track caters to the range of emerging or aspiring entrepreneurs who expect to take on leadership roles within the private sector or build their own business ventures on the continent.

Civil Society Management

This track is oriented to those who are or aspire to be civically engaged and serve the public through non-governmental organizations, community based organizations, or volunteerism.

Public Policy and Management

This track is tailored to those who work or aspire to work in any level of government (including elected positions), regional organizations such as the African Union or the West Africa Community, international organizations such as the United Nations, or other publicly minded organizations or think tanks

Click HERE to Apply

Berinyuy Cajetan, Publisher

Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.