ODI Global Washington Issues Call for Mission 300 Fellowship Program in Africa

Mission 300 will make Africa and thus the world, including the United States, more prosperous and secure. Access to reliable and affordable energy is necessary in delivering essential services and creating economic opportunity and jobs for Africa’s growing population. Yet currently, Africa has an average electrification rate of 50% and is home to approximately 600 million people without access to reliable electricity. Last year, the WBG and AfDB launched Mission 300 “to deliver affordable power, expand electricity access, boost utility efficiency, attract private investment, and improve regional energy integration that drives economic transformation” in collaboration with African governments, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, and development partners.

“Mission 300 holds so much promise for Africa and the world, we need a new generation of leaders to help make good on it. This is why we are so proud to support ODI to launch the Mission 300 Fellowship, which will provide more than a dozen governments with the additional support needed to accelerate the implementation of their plans for increasing access to electricity for their citizens,” said William Asiko, Vice President of Africa at The Rockefeller Foundation, which provided ODI Global Washington with a US$2.5 million grant through the RFCC to design and oversee the new fellowship program.

Call for Mission 300 Fellowship Applications:

Beginning today and through May 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time, ODI is accepting applications for the Mission 300 Fellowship. The Mission 300 Fellows will be placed on 24-month assignments within 14 African governments working within Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units on dedicated units that will be established in governments to drive progress on reforms and electrification projects outlined in governments’ National Energy Compacts. The goal is for fellows to start their new positions this summer.

Each Fellowship will be tailored to the specific in-country needs that are aligned to Mission 300 priorities, providing Fellows with an invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand experience addressing pressing country-needs while making meaningful contributions to the advancement of the energy sector in Africa under Mission 300. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing hands-on technical assistance to advance compact commitments supporting production of policy papers, briefing documents, financial models, and documentation for RFPs, and providing advice on energy-related matters.
• Facilitating connections between Mission 300 partners and internally across energy departments and other ministries to ensure clean cooking and productive use of energy is integrated into compact implementation.
• Working with internal teams to identify capacity gaps in reform delivery and project bottlenecks.
• Ensuring that there is proper interface with the Mission 300 Partners in reporting on progress related to the National Energy Compacts.
• And supporting external stakeholder engagement with the private sector, civil society, the general public, other donors.

Leveraging ODI’s 60-year record of successful fellowship programs by fostering mutual learning and trust between Fellows and host institutions, the Mission 300 Fellowship is open to candidates of African nationalities, who have a master’s degree in a field relevant and related to the energy sector. Suitable specialized qualifications at postgraduate level include, but are not limited to, economics, finance, law, energy (power sector preferred), development, public policy, environmental science, geology, climate and sustainability, or related fields. 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.

The eligibility criteria, selection process and oversight of the Fellowship are controlled by ODI. For additional information and to apply for the Mission 300 Fellowship, see:  https://careers.odi.org/postings/d42ad219-6814-47ce-9a36-eddba838f506.

About ODI Global

ODI Global is a leading global affairs think tank committed to driving positive change through transformative insights. With offices in Brussels, London, and Washington, DC, our 200+ staff, plus ODI Global Fellows, affiliates and partners around the world, we bring nuance to our expertise, creating the systemic, lasting change we seek. For over 60 years, we have led thinking and agendas to build a more resilient, just, and equitable future for all. Learn more at www.odi.org.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.

About RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC)

A charitable offshoot of The Rockefeller Foundation, RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC) enables foundations, impact investors, businesses, governments, and other like-minded funders to combine their resources to build funding solutions for social impact and bring about transformational change. RFCC leverages The Rockefeller Foundation’s expertise and resources while collaborating with partners and investors to multiply impact and helps to transform today’s greatest challenges into collaborative solutions. For more information please visit www.rockefellerfoundation.org/rf-catalytic-capital-inc.