Overseas Development Institute (ODI) Mission 300 Fellowship Program 2025 For Africans ($54,000 Grant) - Exclusive Opportunity

About the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) Mission 300 Fellowship Program

The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) invites applications for the 2025 Mission 300 Fellowship Program, offering African professionals an opportunity to work directly within government institutions to drive Africa’s energy transformation. This two-year fellowship provides an annual stipend, housing allowance, and the chance to gain hands-on experience at the highest levels of public sector governance.

The Mission 300 Fellowship Program is modeled after the long-established ODI Fellowship Scheme, which has proven the effectiveness of placing talented professionals within public institutions to strengthen capacity over the long term. This specialized Mission 300 version focuses specifically on the energy sector, placing Fellows in Mission 300 Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units (CDMUs) hosted by senior government entities.

These units are typically located in the offices of national Presidents, Prime Ministers, or Ministries responsible for Energy or Finance. Fellows will work side-by-side with government colleagues and Mission 300 partners to implement the country’s National Energy Compact. They will help design and execute context-specific solutions to energy challenges, ensuring a sustainable and transformative impact.

The program seeks professionals who are passionate about Africa’s development and have the technical skills, policy understanding, and adaptability needed to thrive in high-level public sector environments.

Assignments are full-time and span two years, offering Fellows the unique opportunity to influence national energy policies while building their leadership and technical capabilities.

Eligible Fields

Applicants must possess a postgraduate qualification (Master’s level or equivalent) in a relevant field. Disciplines considered eligible for the Fellowship include but are not limited to:

Economics
Finance
Law

Energy Studies
Engineering
Development Studies

Public Policy
Environmental Science
Geology

Climate and Sustainability Studies
Other closely related fields relevant to public policy, development, or the energy sector

Candidates from interdisciplinary programs combining these areas are also encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Mission 300 Fellowship Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a national of an African country.
Hold a Master’s degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification in a relevant field.

Candidates who are still completing their Master’s degree may apply, but final placement will depend on successfully graduating before the Fellowship start date.
Have between two to four years of relevant professional experience.
Possess a strong command of the English language.

Candidates applying for placements in French-speaking or Portuguese-speaking countries must demonstrate proficiency in French or Portuguese.

The program seeks a diverse cohort of Fellows representing the full range of Africa’s geographic, linguistic, and professional diversity.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be assessed based on a set of clearly defined selection criteria, which include:

Intellectual ability, with demonstrated interdisciplinary understanding across economics, energy, development, and public policy sectors.
Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose complex challenges and propose actionable solutions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively.

Cultural sensitivity, political acumen, and the ability to operate effectively in diverse environments.
Strong adaptability and resilience, particularly in unfamiliar or challenging settings.
Passion for Africa’s development, with a demonstrated commitment to public service or community engagement.

Project management and organizational skills, including the ability to handle multiple priorities.
Strong technological skills, including the use of productivity and data analysis tools.

Applicants are encouraged to highlight experiences that demonstrate leadership potential, innovation, and a deep understanding of Africa’s development challenges.

Eligible Countries

The Fellowship is open to citizens of all African countries.
There are no restrictions based on the applicant’s country of residence, place of study, or specific background within Africa, provided the candidate meets the nationality and other eligibility requirements.

Documents Required

At the application stage, candidates are not required to submit supporting documents such as CVs, academic transcripts, or reference letters. Instead, the selection process at the initial stage will be based solely on the content and quality of the online application form.

However, applicants should be aware that:

If shortlisted for an interview, references will be requested at that point.
Candidates selected for interviews may be asked to provide additional documentation verifying qualifications and work experience.
Applicants must ensure that the information provided in the application form is accurate and complete, as it will be the basis for assessment.

Careful attention should be paid to the instructions provided on the application portal to avoid disqualification due to incomplete or incorrect submissions.

Benefits of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) Mission 300 Fellowship Program

The Mission 300 Fellowship offers an attractive compensation and benefits package designed to support Fellows during their placements and facilitate their professional growth. The benefits include:

Annual compensation of approximately $26,000 (net of taxes) during the first year.

Annual compensation of approximately $28,000 (net of taxes) during the second year.
Additional housing allowance, adjusted according to the cost of living in the host country.
Travel assistance where applicable for relocation to the host country.

Health insurance support depending on the host country’s arrangements.
Hands-on experience working within high-level government institutions.
Opportunity to contribute directly to impactful national energy reforms.

Access to a professional network of Fellows, public policy experts, and Mission 300 partners.
Enhanced career prospects in the fields of energy, development, and public administration.

The combination of professional growth, meaningful impact, and financial support makes the Fellowship a highly attractive opportunity for emerging African leaders.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should follow the steps below to apply for the Mission 300 Fellowship Program:

Visit the official Mission 300 Fellowship Program webpage hosted by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI).
Review all provided information about the Fellowship, including eligibility and selection criteria.

Access and complete the online application form carefully.
Ensure that all parts of the application form are filled out with accurate and detailed information.
Submit the application before the specified deadline.

Important application notes:

No additional documents such as CVs, reference letters, or academic transcripts are needed at the initial stage.
All applicants will be assessed based on their responses in the online form.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews and further documentation.
Applicants should demonstrate in their application their understanding of the energy sector, commitment to Africa’s development, and relevant technical and leadership skills.

Candidates are strongly advised to start their applications early to allow enough time to thoughtfully complete each section of the form.