Applications are open for the NDC Financing Fellowship Programme 2020. Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are central to achieving the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement. NDCs embody each country’s efforts to address climate change.
NDC Financing Fellowship Programme (NDC-FFP) funded by the International Development Research Institute (IDRC), supports, promotes and trains exceptional individuals from policy and research who are interested in further:
- Enhancing their knowledge and skills on financing NDCs,
- To build leadership in NDC finance for enhanced sharing of knowledge and good practices,
- Contributing to webinars, blogs, publications, reports and journal articles on NDC finance,
- Continuous online discussions, network opportunities and access to international professional networks of peers and leaders in climate change and finance.
- Promote dialogue and peer learning among researchers and policymakers on best practices on NDC financing
Fellowship
- Up to 50 scholarships for a six-months e-learning certification course on Financing NDCs (Certified Expert in Financing NDCs)
- Best performing 20 candidates qualify for further training and workshops during on-site events on emerging topics and leadership skills in Frankfurt and Nairobi.
- 2-months internship for one researcher per cohort
- Guidance by internationally recognised trainers and experts in NDC finance
- Regular dialogue sessions and peer learning thorugh the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN) webinars
Eligibility
- NDC-FFP supports, promotes and trains exceptional citizen or individuals working from Sub-Saharan Africa (applications from English- or French-speaking Lusophone candidates are also welcomed) from research and policy.
- For the first cohort, applicants should be proficient in English (both written and oral).
- Policy Track: To be eligible as a policy fellow, you must fulfil the following requirements:
- Having an MSc or MA degree, preferably in a subject related to climate change, environment, economics, development studies, finance or business administration.
- Having around 3-5 years of work experience in the public sector, working on climate change programmes and related sectors such as energy, water, agriculture, infrastructure / settlement (incl. coastal zones) or insurances and who are involved in accessing, delivering, and monitoring/evaluating climate finance at the international, national and subnational level. Experience in climate financial management would be an asset.
- Showing strong motivation and commitment to take responsibility and to stay with the programme.
Research Track: To be eligible, the research fellow must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be a PhD holder or in the process of completing a PhD candidate or a mid-career researcher from a Sub-Saharan African country working in financing NDC or related topics, such as finance of climate/environmental policy, financing sustainable development/transformation, climate finance sector development etc.
- Relevant publication experience, having published at least one relevant journal article in English.
- Concrete NDC finance-related research proposal related to one of the following topics (please use the provided research proposal template in the application mask):
- Topic 1: NDC finance (including NDC project/programme development, i.e. a proposal on a particular project linked to NDC actions in the candidate’s home country or cross sectoral or cross-country learnings on NDC implementation).
- Topic 2: Finance of climate or environmental policy or strategies
- Topic 3: Financing sustainable development/transformation
- Special topic: Impacts of Covid-19 on NDC implementation
- Providing a reference letter by an academic supervisor or a secondment letter from government department supporting the applicant’s participation in the programme.
- Showing strong motivation and commitment to take responsibility and to stay with the programme.
Application
Your application must be submitted online using the NDC-FFP application form. Only complete applications in English will be considered and consist of the following:
- Filled online application form in the English language
- Curriculum vitae of not more than 5 pages listing experiences and publications where necessary
- Certificates and letters of reference (of scholarships, employment etc.)
- Copy of valid passport
- Letter of secondment (if necessary)
- Motivation statement indicating your interest in the programme and commitment to take responsibility and to stay with the programme.
Additionally for Research track: Research Proposal submitted under one of the four topics, including a description of your research questions, conceptual framework, methodology, expected contribution, timeline and budget (Please use the provided research proposal template only and read carefully the questions and instructions).