Third cohort of Oxford Policy Fellows start their postings across Africa and Asia

New Oxford Policy Fellows have taken up their positions in Ghana, Pakistan, Uganda, Djibouti, and Rwanda.

Before staring their two-year placement, the five new Oxford Policy Fellows took part in a pre-departure orientation and training week in the UK.

Following their orientation, new Fellows got their first look into their new lives as Fellows at the Oxford Policy Fellowship’s second Annual Meeting. Hosted in September 2017, the meeting brought together the Fellowship Community of Practice: a group of government officials from nine countries, all the programme’s Fellows, and law and public policy experts. The two-day event covered issues directly relevant to the Fellowship postings, and broader themes, such as minimising the imbalance of power in negotiations.

This year, new government partners include ministries in Ghana, Pakistan, and Uganda, in addition to renewal of two of the first cohort postings in Djibouti and Rwanda. One of our government partners shared why they need a Fellow:

“We need to have the regulations and the legal environment right. I need someone to look at the legal agreements and documents before they are shared – this is critical, and the Oxford Policy Fellowship has been able to offer me this opportunity.”

If you are interested in becoming a Fellow, the call for applications for the fourth cohort of Oxford Policy Fellows is now open. Legal professionals looking to work within a government as a civil servant in sub-Saharan Africa or south Asia should visit the Fellowship page for more information on the requirements and how to apply.

The Oxford Policy Fellowship is an innovative programme that gives early career legal professionals the opportunity to work as civil servants in government ministries in low- and middle-income countries full-time for two years.

The postings are based on filling specific capacity gaps that the host governments have themselves identified, meaning the Fellows are more likely to make a real impact in the longer term.

Oxford Policy Management is leading on the initiative, with the UK Government’s Department for International Development as a key funding partner. Other funding partners contribute to specific postings. The programme is looking for additional funding to expand further and interested parties are encouraged to get in touch to discuss possible opportunities.

Find out more about the Oxford Policy Fellowship.

 

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