Overview
Overseas Development Institute (ODI) is the UK’s leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues. Our mission is to inspire and inform policy and practice which lead to the reduction of poverty, the alleviation of suffering and the achievement of sustainable livelihoods.
The ODI Fellowship Scheme has a strong reputation among prospective applicants and their universities, giving Fellows the rare opportunity to develop their skills within a developing country's government. Places on the Scheme are highly competitive with all applicants offering postgraduate qualifications and often relevant work experience.
The Fellowship Scheme is well known to a wide range of employers who place considerable weight on the experience provided by a Fellowship. After completing their assignments, a large percentage of Fellows continue to follow a career in development.
What do Fellows do?
Most Fellows are assigned to government ministries where they work as economists or planning officers. The posts call for a wide variety of both economic and administrative skills.
Examples of the range of activities in which Fellows are currently or recently engaged
Budget preparation and allocation at sectoral level and central level (all countries)
Assisting in drafting an Interim Development Framework (Lesotho)
Monitoring and evaluating poverty reduction strategies (Mozambique, Rwanda, Burundi)
Development and implementation of Value Chain Analysis and Development Training
Course in conjunction with the World Bank and the European Commission (Mozambique)
Analysing tax data to produce a harmonised forecast of government revenue (Lesotho, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Uganda)
Providing analytical support for a fifteen-year Water Sector Development Programme and assisting in developing a Policy and Monitoring evaluation system (Ethiopia)
Designing systems and procedures for aid co-ordination and debt management (Sierra Leone)
Devising a strategic response to HIV/AIDS (Swaziland, South Africa)
Providing policy briefings for biofuels strategy - Mozambique
Strategic planning and budget preparation in the Education, Agricultural and Health sectors (Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Burundi)
Developing guidelines for the retention and use of school fees in secondary schools (Malawi)
Developing, in collaboration with other agencies, a system of incentives to get state level engagement in the MDG process (Nigeria)
Entrance requirements for candidates
Essential
- Degree in economics or a related field
- Postgraduate degree qualification*
- Ability to commit to a two-year assignment
* For those studying for a postgraduate degree at the time of application, the award of a Fellowship will be conditional upon the successful completion of their degree.
Some specialisations at postgraduate level which are relevant include:
- Agricultural economics
- International economics
- Development economics
- Development Management
- Development studies
- Econometrics & Statistics
- Environmental economics
- Health economics
- Public policy
This list is not definitive and each application is taken on its own merit with the overall aim of matching candidates to the requirements of a Fellowship post.
Desirable
- Demonstrable interest in development
- Relevant work or voluntary experience
- Language competence for some posts (especially French, Portuguese or Swahili)
- Strong IT skills
Qualities we are looking for
Fellowships vary from post to post and country to country, but all require a combination of the following qualities:
Intellectual qualities
- A sound grasp of economic theory and its application, especially in a development context
- Problem-solving and analysis of information
- Communication of complex ideas
Personal qualities and interpersonal skills
- Adaptive and flexible approach
- Ability to work effectively with others
- Confident and robust personality
- Willingness to learn and accept advice
- Ability to mix easily with diverse groups of people
Management and work-related skills
- Ability to prioritise and delegate work
- Consultative and advocacy skills
- Time management and ability to work without supervision
- Project management
- Report writing
*For those studying for a postgraduate degree at the time of application, the award of a
Fellowship will be conditional upon the successful completion of their degree.
Some specialisations at postgraduate level which are relevant include:
Agricultural economics
Development Management
Environmental economics
International economics
Development studies
Health economics
Development economics
Econometrics & Statistics
Public policy
Annual recruitment cycle
Fellowships are awarded annually, for a two-year period. Short-listed candidates are invited to attend a selection board in February which involves a panel interview and group exercises.
At the end of the selection process, offers are made subject to suitable posts being secured with host governments. Considerable emphasis is placed on personal contact and discussion both at the selection stage and in the careful matching of Fellows to posts.
ODI will also, once a year, invite governments interested in employing Fellows the following year to indicate their likely requirements.
November - December
ODI accepts applications for the Fellowship Scheme.
Early December
Governments requested to indicate their likely requirements for Fellows
Mid December
Closing date for receipt of applications
Late January
Short-listed applicants invited to attend selection board.
Early February
Referees contacted for short-listed applicants.
Mid February
Selection board and provisional offers of Fellowships.
March - May
Placement tours by ODI representatives.
May - June
Requests submitted for new Fellows from partner
governments.
June
Fellows informed of results of post allocations and notifi cation of availability sent to governments.
Late July
Briefing session to prepare new Fellows for their posts.
August - October
Commencement of postings.
Application
The application process for the 2012-2014 Fellowship Scheme is now open. Please downloadan application form and equal opportunities form. These need to be submitted tofsapplications@odi.org.uk no later than 15 December 2011.
For further information about the Fellowship Scheme please
contact:
ODI Fellowship Scheme
Overseas Development Institute
111 Westminster Bridge Road
London, SE1 7JD, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7922 0356
Fax: +44 (0)20 7922 0399
Email: fellows@odi.org.uk
Website: www.odi.org.uk/fellows
http://www.odi.org.uk/fellowship-scheme/documents/booklet.pdf
Please quote Scholarization.blogspot.com on your application when applying for this scholarship
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