United Nations – The Nippon Foundation Sustainable Ocean Programme Critical Needs Fellowship 2019 (Funded)

Application Deadline: October 5th 2018

The Critical Needs Fellowship was established in 2017 as one of three core activities under the United Nations – Nippon Foundation Sustainable Ocean Programme. The Fellowship aims to assist developing States, particularly least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, to address identified critical needs in the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments, as well as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and other related SDGs.

Through the targeted building of human capacity, the Critical Needs Fellowship addresses needs-based capacity gaps at the national level to overcome critical capacity barriers to enable the most vulnerable States to better address strategically important and time-sensitive ocean affairs and the law of the sea issues they are faced with.

This specific purpose will be achieved through the delivery of critical capacity assistance, in the format of a Fellowship Programme, to Government officials from developing States with limited background in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, who are filling key positions in their Administration to address identified critical needs in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and other related SDGs.

Outputs

The Fellowship consists of a four-month training programme at the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It consists of a highly customized programme of activities.

Depending on needs identified, Fellows may, during the four-month training programme, undertake a learning placement with either a Department of the United Nations Secretariat, a specialized agency, or an organization affiliated with the United Nations or other relevant organization. (Please click here for a description of programme activities)

Selection criteria

Nominated candidates must meet all the following criteria:

1. 1. Must be between the ages of 25 and 40;
   2. Must have successfully completed a first university degree;
   3. Must be Government officials dealing directly with critical issues related to sustainable development of oceans and seas including the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; national and/or regional ocean policy; establishment of maritime zones and the delimitation of maritime boundaries; coastal zone management; conservation and management of marine living resources; maritime transport and shipping; maritime security; the protection and preservation of the marine environment; and marine science;
   4. The “Nomination and Recommendation Form” must be completed by a Government official who can attest to the nature of your work with respect to the Government’s ocean affairs and law of the sea related activities, and indicate how an Award would directly contribute to these activities;
   5. The proposed study programme must contribute directly to the State’s formulation and/or implementation of ocean affairs and law of the sea policies and programmes;
   6. Must be free of all non-Fellowship obligations during this entire period unless otherwise authorized by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs.

Satisfaction of the above criteria must be clearly demonstrated by the candidate through the application forms and confirmed by a Nominating Authority.

Awards

The decision to Award a Fellowship is made in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Technical Cooperation Agreement which establishes the Fellowship Programme, and guided by the “Fellowship Selection Criteria” applied by the United Nations System Organizations.

Successful candidates ONLY will be notified directly by DOALOS of their Award. Other applicants will find the selection results posted on this webpage, approximately in late February.

Please note that Awards are conditional on the fulfilment of all Fellowship requirements including, inter alia, the necessary visa(s) and medical clearance

Conditions for selected candidates

Travel and Payment (Stipends – and allowance)

Fellows will be provided with a return air-ticket in economy class for travels from their home country to the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA.

Travel arrangements will be made by the United Nations and in accordance with the applicable United Nations travel policies.

Fellows will receive a stipend during their fellowship in accordance with the established United Nations rates for the host Country. These rates are updated regularly and available on the following URL: https://www.un.org/development/desa/fellowship/stipend-rates

Medical Clearance and Insurance

Awarded Fellows will complete the required United Nations medical clearance process (detailed information will be shared after Awards are made)

Fellows will then be enrolled in a medical insurance scheme for the duration of their Fellowship programme. This coverage is provided by Cigna International Health Services BVBA, Belgium.

Housing

Fellows are responsible for securing their accommodations. The United Nations will not act on behalf of the Fellows, serve as guarantors, or accept any liabilities or responsibilities in this regard.

Application

States have been invited to nominate Government officials with limited background in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, who are filling key positions in their Administration and who are tasked with assignments relating to the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and related instruments, as well as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and other related SDGs.
Please note that there is NO COST to submit an application. The deadline for submission of applications is 05 October 2018.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the United Nations – The Nippon Foundation Critical Needs Fellowship