Applications are now open for the fully-funded ODI Global Washington Mission 300 Fellowship Program in Africa

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Closing Date: 7 May 2025

Applications are now open for the fully-funded ODI Global Washington Mission 300 Fellowship Program in Africa

Overview

ODI Global Washington officially opened a call for applications for the new Mission 300 Fellowship program with a deadline of May 7, 2025. In support of the African Development Bank Group’s (AfDB) and the World Bank Group’s (WBG) ambitious goal of providing access to electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030, ODI will select 14 highly qualified, early career professionals, who will embed for two years within 14 countries’ prime minister or presidential offices or ministries that are driving progress to advance energy access across sub-Saharan Africa.

The program, which is funded by the Mission 300 Accelerator housed in The Rockefeller Foundation’s RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC), will prioritize Fellows who are citizens of African states, promoting localization and investing in the next generation of talented professionals dedicated to advancing Africa’s energy sector.

Mission 300 will make Africa and thus the world, including the United States, more prosperous and secure. Access to reliable and affordable energy is necessary in delivering essential services and creating economic opportunity and jobs for Africa’s growing population. Yet currently, Africa has an average electrification rate of 50% and is home to approximately 600 million people without access to reliable electricity. Last year, the WBG and AfDB launched Mission 300 “to deliver affordable power, expand electricity access, boost utility efficiency, attract private investment, and improve regional energy integration that drives economic transformation” in collaboration with African governments, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, and development partners.

Call for Mission 300 Fellowship Program Applications:

ODI is accepting applications for the Mission 300 Fellowship. The Mission 300 Fellows will be placed on 24-month assignments within 14 African governments working within Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units on dedicated units that will be established in governments to drive progress on reforms and electrification projects outlined in governments’ National Energy Compacts. The goal is for fellows to start their new positions this summer.

Each Fellowship will be tailored to the specific in-country needs that are aligned to Mission 300 priorities, providing Fellows with an invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand experience addressing pressing country-needs while making meaningful contributions to the advancement of the energy sector in Africa under Mission 300. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Providing hands-on technical assistance to advance compact commitments supporting production of policy papers, briefing documents, financial models, and documentation for RFPs, and providing advice on energy-related matters.
Facilitating connections between Mission 300 partners and internally across energy departments and other ministries to ensure clean cooking and productive use of energy is integrated into compact implementation.
Working with internal teams to identify capacity gaps in reform delivery and project bottlenecks.
Ensuring that there is proper interface with the Mission 300 Partners in reporting on progress related to the National Energy Compacts.
And supporting external stakeholder engagement with the private sector, civil society, the general public, other donors.

Leveraging ODI’s 60-year record of successful fellowship programs by fostering mutual learning and trust between Fellows and host institutions, the Mission 300 Fellowship is open to candidates of African nationalities, who have a master’s degree in a field relevant and related to the energy sector. Suitable specialized qualifications at postgraduate level include, but are not limited to, economics, finance, law, energy (power sector preferred), development, public policy, environmental science, geology, climate and sustainability, or related fields. For those studying for a postgraduate degree at the time of application, the award of a fellowship is conditional upon the successful completion of the postgraduate degree.

The eligibility criteria, selection process and oversight of the Fellowship are controlled by ODI. For additional information and to apply for the Mission 300 Fellowship, see: https://careers.odi.org/postings/d42ad219-6814-47ce-9a36-eddba838f506.

About ODI Global

ODI Global is a leading global affairs think tank committed to driving positive change through transformative insights. With offices in Brussels, London, and Washington, DC, its 200+ staff, plus ODI Global Fellows, affiliates and partners around the world, ODI bring nuance to its expertise, creating the systemic, lasting change it seeks. For over 60 years, ODI has led thinking and agendas to build a more resilient, just, and equitable future for all.