Deadline: 8-Feb-23
Applications are now open for the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship (KIF), a one-year non-partisan leadership training programme for young Nigerians between the age of 25-35 years.
The one-year Fellowship aims to create a network of high potential young Nigerians who are expected to rise to top leadership positions in the public sector and other spheres of activity over the next decade. Established in 2018, KIF is an initiative of the Kaduna State Government (KDSG). The Fellowship is named after Sir Kashim Ibrahim, the first post-independence Governor of the Northern Region (1962-1966) who was known for his passion for education and selfless leadership which he demonstrated not only as Governor, but also as a Minister at various times.
Objective
- The Fellowship’s objective is to develop and nurture leadership ability across Nigeria, with specific focus on the promising leaders of the future. It is their belief that this one-year programme would help establish a strong understanding of good governance in Fellows in addition to providing a structure that would help steer them towards active participation in and a commitment to public service and informed leadership in Nigeria.
Mission
- The overall mission of this non-partisan programme, as envisioned by Governor Nasir el-Rufai, is in his words, “to raise the next generation of leaders who will most likely be absorbed into the Nigerian public sector having had a first-hand experience of its workings and challenges”. This Fellowship aims to change the perception of young Nigerians about the public sector by immersing them into the heart of government at its highest sub-national level, providing them with an opportunity to work closely with senior government officials while exposing them to the complexities of governance at grassroot levels.
Vision
- Their vision is to raise a new generation of capable and committed young Nigerian leaders, who recognize the central importance of public service in building the country they dream of but have yet to achieve.
KIF Components
The Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship comprises four components, namely:
- Work Experience
- Engagement in the work of Kaduna State Government lies at the heart of the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship. Work assignments can offer unparalleled experience working with senior government officials on ever changing issues and challenges. To gain valuable practical experience in the task of policy formulation/execution, everyday decision-making and implementation of public service delivery, Fellows are assigned to four different administrative units (on a 3-month rotational basis) within KDSG during their year-long fellowship. These rotations provide Fellows with a broad sense of how government works, a robust and versatile knowledge of MDAs functions, in addition to a comprehensive understanding of the State’s governance structures, programmes and policies.
- Fellows responsibilities would range from supporting public service delivery, inter-agency meetings, designing and implementing state government policies, drafting speeches for government principals to representing their agencies outside Kaduna State. This demands a capacity for quick learning and willingness to work hard, as Fellows may work outside their area of expertise.
- Fellows will receive salary and benefits equivalent to that of a Special Assistant to the Governor. Kashim Ibrahim Fellows cannot receive compensation from any other source during their one year of government service. Additionally, accommodation will be provided throughout the course of the Programme.
- Education Programme
- This is an important aspect of the Fellowship; it augments and enhances the work placement experience. During this process, a balance is maintained between personal development, self-reflection and the Nigerian context of leadership. The values and ethics of leadership also form a major component of the learning experience. This component includes speaker series, local government area tours, an international policy trip, workshops and Aspen Institute styled quarterly seminars.
- Speaker Series: This increases Fellows’ exposure to renowned leaders from the public and private sectors. Each class will meet with notable global individuals who will improve and enrich their understanding and experience of public service. These interactive sessions generally take place during the week, and are off-the-record, lively and frank.
- Overall, the education component of the fellowship programme provides Fellows with an intensive learning and broadening experience on the principles and application of leadership and an opportunity to explore the issues, characteristics, challenges and dimensions of African and global leadership.
- Community Service
- Community service is a key component of the Fellowship. Fellows have a strong legacy of service to their communities and participate in community service projects throughout their year in Kaduna Metropolis. The onus of developing, planning and executing the project falls solely on Fellows, while the KIF Secretariat is at hand to provide guidance and assistance as needed.
- Fellowship
- Class fellowship is another key component of the programme and perhaps the most enriching, it often results in enduring friendships and collaborative ventures. This component is aimed at creating a bond between the Fellows as they live together and undertake several activities. The aim is to promote unity despite the nation’s diversity.
- Alumni will convene at yearly meetings in Kaduna hosted by the Governor, to eagerly welcome new Fellows into what they hope would be one of the most prestigious network of professionals and leaders in their country.
- In return for the privilege of participating in the fellowship year, Fellows are expected to apply what they have learned by contributing to Kaduna State and the nation as great leaders in their respective communities, professions, and in public service. At the end of the Fellowship, Fellows are expected to return to their former or new occupations more experienced in public policy decision-making and better prepared to contribute to state and national affairs thereby fulfilling the mission of the Fellowship.
Selection Process
- Applications submitted on the portal before the stated deadline are automatically filtered for plagiarism and grammar. Those who attain the minimum score required (cut-off score) and beyond, make it to the second round of assessments.
- In the second round, each application undergoes a preliminary strength of argument and further use of English assessment by independent editors and successful applications move to the third round of assessments.
- In this third level, each application is reviewed by two members of the Steering Committee. They are scored based on use of English, persuasiveness of argument, demonstration of leadership/public service qualities and strength of curriculum vitae (CV) and letters of recommendation. Applicants who meet the cut-off score and beyond are contacted and asked to make video submissions of themselves responding to questions asked.
- In stage four, the videos are reviewed by the Steering Committee with the best of them being selected for the consideration of the Governing Board.
- The Governing Board then does the final selection of the required number of Fellows who would form the next cohort of the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship.
- The successful applicants are contacted by the KIF Secretariat and announced by the Governor at an unveiling ceremony.
For more information, visit KIF.