Application Deadline: September 13th 2019
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.
Specific purpose
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)
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 13 September 2019.
(Please click here for the Call for applications for the 2020 session of the Critical Needs Fellowship)
Selection criteria
Nominated candidates must meet all the following criteria:
- Must be between the ages of 25 and 40;
- Must have successfully completed a first university degree;
- Must be Government officials from developing countries 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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.
Women candidates are strongly invited to apply, with a view to achieve gender balance in the selection process
Application package
The Fellowship application package consists of the following two forms:
1. The Personal History and Proposed Research/Study Programme Form (click to download in MS Word format)
This Form must be completed by the candidate, either typewritten or word processed. Each question must be answered clearly and completely in order to ensure that the application will be processed. While completing this form, candidates should pay particular attention to sections 18, 19 and 20. If necessary, candidates may attach no more than one additional page of the same size.
Once this form is completed, it must be submitted by
the candidate to the Nominating Authority along with:
2. The Nomination and Recommendation Form (click to download in MS Word format)
This form must be completed and signed by the official nominating entity and must clearly identify the time-sensitive strategic needs of the State and how the candidate will be in a position to directly affect positive change with respect to these needs.
Once completed, both the “Nomination and Recommendation Form” and the completed “Personal History and Proposed Research/Study Programme Form” must be forwarded to DOALOS through the nominating State’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
DOALOS reserves the right not to process incomplete and/or late submissions.
Applications should be sent to:
E-mail (Preferred): DOALOS@un.org
The United Nations – Nippon Foundation Critical Needs Fellowship Programme
Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea
Office of Legal Affairs
United Nations, Room DC2-0450
New York, N.Y. 10017, U.S.A.
For More Information: