The ODI Fellowship Scheme appoints highly qualified and motivated postgraduate economists and statisticians through a rigorous and competitive selection board.
The Fellowship Scheme sends young postgraduates in economic related fields to work in the public sectors of developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific on two-year contracts. It is sponsored by the Overseas Development Institute in the UK.
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.
Eligibility Requirements:
The ODI Fellowship Scheme is open to candidates of all nationalities who have a master’s degree or PhD in economics,statistics or a related field. Suitable specialised qualifications at postgraduate level include agricultural economics,environmental economics, international economics, health economics, development economics, and statistics
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
Fellowship Worth:
Fellows are selected and appointed by ODI, but they then become employees of the governments or public bodies for which they work. The cost of each Fellowship is shared between ODI and the local employer.
The local employer is normally responsible for:
• paying a salary equivalent to what would be payable to a locally recruited national with similar qualifications and experience
• providing conditions of service such as accommodation, leave entitlement, expense allowances and medical insurance similar to those offered to local staff in similar grades
• ensuring Fellows receive assistance in obtaining work permits and security clearances where required.
ODI is normally responsible for:
• the selection of Fellows
• arranging placements
• providing Fellows’ pre-departure briefing and allowances
• paying a monthly supplement which takes into account local income, taxation, and accommodation costs
• paying Fellows’ transport and baggage expenses at the start and end of the two-year contract
• providing emergency medical insurance while in post
• providing information by email and text message about security issues in Fellows’ countries of posting
• paying an end-of-Fellowship bonus, provided Fellows complete the full two-year assignment
Timeline:
January 2016:
Short-listed applicants are invited to attend the selection board in London.
February 2016:
The referees of short-listed applicants are contacted. The selection board sits, after which firm or conditional offers are made to successful candidates.
March – June 2016:
Members of the ODI Fellowship Scheme team visit all participating governments to discuss
posts and candidates’ CVs. The team meets all current Fellows to check their Fellowships are going well and to gain feedback on issues relevant to the Scheme
May – June 2016
Governments submit requests for new Fellows with job descriptions and a short- list of preferred candidates.
June 2016
Candidates and governments agree on which candidates are allocated to which postings
July 2016
A briefing session is held in London to prepare new Fellows for their posts
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