Reviewer Pool – AWARD Fellowship initiatives

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026

About the opportunity

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) invites experienced and passionate professionals to join a pool of reviewers for its flagship fellowship initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute, to identify and shape the next generation of African leaders to drive inclusive, gender-responsive, and climate-resilient agrifood systems across the continent.

Why become a reviewer?

Becoming a reviewer with AWARD offers more than a one-time engagement. It is an opportunity to contribute to a growing movement advancing gender-responsive, inclusive, climate-resilient agrifood systems across Africa.

As a member of AWARD’s reviewer community, you will contribute to:

• Shaping the future of leadership in Africa by identifying and supporting high-potential professionals across AWARD’s flagship programs
• Impactful, continent-wide initiatives that advance gender equality, scientific excellence, and sustainable development
• Gain insight into emerging talent and innovations in agrifood systems and climate-responsive agriculture

Role and responsibilities

Reviewers play a central role in upholding the quality, integrity, credibility and high standards of AWARD’s selection processes. Selected reviewers will:

• Evaluate applications rigorously using established criteria and scoring frameworks
• Provide clear, objective, and constructive feedback to support fair and informed decision-making
• Apply consistent scoring standards in line with AWARD’s evaluation guidelines
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality of all application materials
• Declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest prior to undertaking reviews
• Adhere to the agreed timelines to ensure a smooth, efficient, and timely selection process.

Eligibility criteria

AWARD invites expressions of interest from qualified professionals with strong expertise and a commitment to advancing inclusive, climate-resilient agrifood systems. We are seeking professionals with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Agricultural research and development
• Agrifood systems transformation
• Climate change and resilience
• Agricultural policy and governance
• Gender in agriculture and development
• Leadership development and capacity strengthening

Applicants should have:

• A Master, PhD or equivalent combination of advanced qualifications and relevant professional experience
• Proven experience in research, policy, academia, gender, or program leadership
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and evaluation skills
• Ability to provide balanced, objective, and high-quality assessments
• Availability to complete reviews within the designated timeframe

Additional assets include:

• Prior experience reviewing research proposals, fellowship applications, or grant submissions
• Proficiency in English and/or French, with the ability to review applications in either language. Reviewer’s assignments will be aligned with language proficiency.

Time commitment and compensation

Your role as a reviewer is a manageable engagement alongside your professional responsibilities. Selected reviewers will be expected to:

• Review approximately 3–5 applications
• Commit an estimated 4–6 hours during the review period
• Participate in virtual briefing sessions

In recognition of their time, expertise, and thoughtful contributions to the AWARD’s selection processes, selected reviewers will receive a modest honorarium.

How to apply

Interested experts are invited to submit their application by completing the Reviewer Expression of Interest Form via the link below:

Click here to apply.

Please note that all applications must be submitted online through this form. Incomplete or alternative submissions will not be considered.

Réseau d’évaluateurs– Programmes de formation d’AWARD

Date limite de candidature: 30 avril 2026

Rejoignez le réseau d’évaluateurs d’AWARD !

AWARD (African Women in Agricultural Research and Development) invite les professionnels expérimentés et passionnés à rejoindre son réseau d’évaluateurs pour ses programmes de formation.

C’est une occasion unique de contribuer à identifier et soutenir la prochaine génération de leaders africains capables de transformer les systèmes agroalimentaires en modèles inclusifs, sensibles au genre et résilients face au changement climatique.

Pourquoi devenir un évaluateur?

Il ne s’agira pas seulement d’évaluer des candidatures. C’est aussi l’opportunité de participer activement à un mouvement qui façonne l’avenir de l’agriculture en Afrique.

En rejoignant notre communauté d’évaluateurs, vous contribuerez à:

• Identifier et soutenir des professionnels talentueux et prêts à s’engager activement dans les programmes d’AWARD
• Des initiatives à impact continental, qui favorisent l’équité, l’excellence scientifique et le développement durable
• La découverte de nouvelles perspectives et innovations dans les systèmes agroalimentaires et l’agriculture adaptée au climat

Rôle et responsabilités

Les évaluateurs permettent de garantir la rigueur, l’équité et la crédibilité dans les processus de sélection d’AWARD. Les missions principales des évaluateurs sont de:

• Examiner les candidatures selon des critères et barèmes définis
• Proposer des recommandations claires, objectives et constructives
• Appliquer des standards de notation cohérents
• Respecter la confidentialité totale des documents
• Déclarer tout conflit d’intérêts réel ou potentiel avant l’évaluation
• Respecter les délais afin d’assurer un processus fluide et efficace

Votre contribution sera déterminante dans la sélection des leaders capables de transformer les systèmes agroalimentaires en Afrique.

Profil recherché

AWARD recherche des professionnels expérimentés, engagés dans le développement de systèmes agroalimentaires durables, inclusifs et résilients. Domaines d’expertise recherchés:

• Recherche et développement agricoles
• Transformation des systèmes agroalimentaires
• Changement climatique et résilience
• Politiques agricoles et gouvernance
• Genre dans l’agriculture et développement
• Développement du leadership et renforcement des capacités

Les candidat(e)s doivent:

• Etre titulaire d’un Master, doctorat ou avoir une expérience professionnelle équivalente
• Avoir une expérience confirmée en recherche, politique, enseignement supérieur, genre ou gestion de programmes
• Avoir des compétences analytiques, d’évaluation et de réflexion critique solides
• Avoir la capacité à proposer des évaluations objectives et de haute qualité
• Etre disponibles pour réaliser les évaluations dans les délais impartis

Atouts supplémentaires :

• Une expérience dans l’évaluation de projets, la revue des candidatures pour les bourses ou subventions, programmes de formation
• Une bonne maîtrise de l’anglais et/ou du français. Les affectations seront adaptées aux compétences linguistiques.

Engagement et compensation

Le rôle d’évaluateur est conçu pour être flexible et compatible avec vos responsabilités professionnelles. Les évaluateurs sélectionnés devront:

• Évaluer 3 à 5 candidatures environ
• Consacrer 4 à 6 heures pendant la période de revue
• Participer à des séances virtuelles de briefing

Les évaluateurs recevront une petite compensation en reconnaissance de leur temps, de leur expertise et de leurs contributions aux processus de selection d’AWARD.

Comment postuler

Pour rejoindre le réseau d’évaluateurs d’AWARD, nous vous invitons à remplir le formulaire de Manifestation d’intérêt via le lien ci-dessous :

Lien pour la soumission des candidatures

Seules les candidatures soumises en ligne via ce formulaire seront prises en compte. Les dossiers incomplets ou envoyés par d’autres moyens ne pourront pas être examinés.

The Women in Agriculture Leadership Program, implemented by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) under the Africa-Australia Partnership was officially launched in Nairobi. Held in Nairobi at the World Agroforestry campus, the event convened Directors General and institutional leaders representing diverse regions of Africa, alongside key partners including the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). The launch comes at a critical moment, as women remain underrepresented in agricultural research leadership, decision-making, and innovation systems and are more affected by climate challenges, highlighting the need for more inclusive, climate‑resilient agricultural systems.

In sub-Saharan Africa, agrifood systems employ 76% of working women and 68% of men, highlighting both the central role women play in agriculture and the urgency of ensuring these systems are inclusive and responsive to their needs.

Delivering keynote remarks at the launch, H.E. Ms. Jenny Da Rin, Australian High Commissioner to Kenya, emphasized the importance of positioning women at the center of climate resilient agricultural transformation.

“The program stands out because it recognizes a simple truth; you cannot build climate resilience without women. This initiative is not just about training women, it’s about positioning them, supporting them to step into spaces where decisions are made about what research is funded, which solutions are prioritized, and whose realities are reflected. The future of agriculture, the future of climate resilience, the future of food systems and the future of leadership is already here, and it can be shaped by all of you,” she said.

Opening the session, Dr. Susan Kaaria, Director, AWARD, reinforced the urgency of addressing gender disparities in agricultural research and the need for both individual and institutional transformation.

“When it comes to research and leadership, women continue to lag behind men, with women comprising only about 22% of agricultural researchers. I highlight these statistics to underscore why this program is both timely and critical. If our research and innovation systems do not account for these realities, then our science remains incomplete and incomplete science leads to incomplete solutions. We recognize that addressing these challenges requires both strong individuals and strong institutions. That is why, at AWARD, together with our partners, we remain committed to investing in individuals, strengthening institutions, and creating enabling environments for gender-responsive agricultural research and development.”

Dr. Susan Kaaria, Director, AWARD

Dr. Leah Ndung’u, Regional Director for Africa at Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), highlighted the importance of strategic collaboration in advancing meaningful impact.

“AWARD has reached over 2000 women scientists, strengthening institutions and shifting systems over the years. So, ACIAR, the decision was clear. If we are serious about leadership in Africa, we must work with those who understand the landscape deeply. And together we have designed this program to train women and position them where decisions are made.”

Dr. Leah Ndung’u, Regional Director for Africa at Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)

To date, AWARD has delivered 18 Fellowship cycles, reaching 2,214 women scientists from over 460 institutions across 26 countries, contributing to a growing pipeline of women leaders in agricultural research and development.

Dr. Phillip Osano, Chief Operating Officer at CIFOR-ICRAF, underscored the role of leadership in advancing institutional change and strengthening gender-responsive research and innovation.

“Through this program, we have an opportunity to embed gender responsiveness in our institutional functions, policies, research design, and implementation practices. We have an opportunity to position our institutions to deliver climate-resilient agricultural innovations that respond to the diverse realities of both women and men smallholder farmers”, he stated.

Dr. Phillip Osano, Chief Operating Officer at CIFOR-ICRAF

The launch marked the beginning of the institutional strengthening component of the Program which seeks to enhance organizational readiness to facilitate application of gender responsiveness in their policies and research practices to ensure they deliver better in their mandate.

Following the launch, the institutional leads embarked on a full day workshop on ‘why gender matters’. The workshop is designed to enhance the participants’ understanding of the program’s approach to gender, their role in creating an enabling environment for gender integration in the institutional policies and practices and foster their commitment in supporting the full range of activities and intended outcomes.

Structured around two components Institutional Strengthening and the Women’s Leadership Fellowship, the program is designed to drive both individual and systemic change. The Call for the Fellowship is currently open, accepting applications from women in Egypt, Ghana, Morocco,  Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.

See photo highlights from the launch.

Africa’s agrifood systems are under increasing pressure to show results that are both inclusive and measurable. As a result, there is a growing need for professionals who can gather evidence, share findings clearly, and support decisions that promote fair and equitable development. Preparing the next generation of impact leaders is essential to ensuring solutions that are people-focused and can grow sustainably across the continent.

The launch of the Young Impact Associates (YIA) Fellowship, an IPO event led by , marks a new phase in strengthening Africa’s Youth leadership and impact measurement capacity in agrifood systems involving 24 Associates from Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana, all under 32 years of age.

“You are the 24, selected out of nearly 5,000 applicants” emphasized Dr. Susan Kaaria, AWARD Director. “And that alone speaks about your potential.”

Speaking during the launch, she reminded the Associates the Fellowship is a huge investment on them, and that they have a responsibility to show why it is a worthy investment. In a context where evidence often fails to translate into decisions that serve people, she positioned the Fellowship as part of the effort to close that gap.

The Fellowship will equip the emerging African leaders in agrifood impact measurement with the knowledge, tools, skills, and networks to assess socially inclusive interventions and turn complex data into clear, actionable recommendations. This directly aligns with AWARD’s commitment to data-driven leadership and gender-responsive agrifood systems across Africa.

Spotlight on the Young Impact Associates

The Young Impact Associates were selected based on their experience, interest and aspirations in driving transformational change through data-driven decisions in African agrifood systems. The launch provided a platform to spotlight some Associates and how they hope to leverage the Fellowship to advance their work.

Suzanne Osei from Ghana questioned whether traditional monitoring captures true transformation for rural women. “We report outputs,” she said, “but are we measuring what change really means to women on the ground?” Her selection affirms her potential and responsibility to highlight real impact measurement.

Millicent Achieng, a budding Kenyan agricultural researcher currently on internship at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) under a research project focusing on wheat rust research shared how she aims to bridge the gap between science and farmers. She collects data daily but asks, “How does this translate into reduced losses and better livelihoods?” She seeks to enhance her communication skills to convert research into tangible food security gains.

Jonathan Otim from Uganda sees leadership as rooted in empathy. “Every decision we make affects real people,” he said. Through the Fellowship, he aims to lead inclusively, ensuring systems serve women, youth, and marginalized groups.

Dominic Amanya, a Kenyan with South Sudanese roots who grew up in the Kakuma Refugee camp, shared how he experienced food insecurity firsthand. “It’s not theory, it’s lived reality, and its more than what we see on the televisions and newspapers” he said. He sees agriculture as a path to dignity and resilience, and the Fellowship will allow him to build on his work around improving systems for vulnerable communities.

Hudson Wabuya from Uganda defines success as “deep, measurable, people-centered transformation.” He stressed that Africa’s challenge lies not in a lack of interventions but in the absence of inclusive systems and poor data use. “Africa does not suffer from a lack of interventions but because these interventions are not inclusive,” he said. “Data is a language of transformation,” he added, noting that without it, planning and service delivery suffer.

Suhuyini Karmil from Ghana sent a clear message to decision-makers, “Investing in young professionals is not a gamble, it is a strategic choice.” She argued that entrusting youth with meaningful responsibility is vital for building inclusive, sustainable systems.

Following the launch, the Associates began an intensive six-day Leadership and Career Development Course, marking the start of the Fellowship activities and laying the foundation for the year ahead.

From Knowledge to Action

The launch also featured reflections from leaders working closely with youth development programs, reinforcing the importance of translating knowledge into practical impact.

Tess Gitau, who works with youth across Africa through the Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa, emphasized the need for institutions to create space for young professionals to innovate. She noted that while youth often bring bold ideas, institutions must remain flexible enough to allow those ideas to grow and evolve. “Be open minded and expect the unexpected when we give the room and the opportunity to the youth,” she said.

Deogracius Bagero, Regional Youth Engagement Advisor at AMREF Health Africa, underscored the importance of recognizing young professionals as partners in development rather than just beneficiaries. “Listen more and engage more and appreciate and recognize them as valued partners,” he said. He noted that meaningful impact begins with investing in individuals, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to create change in their communities and ultimately influence broader systems transformation.

The week concluded with gratitude and resolve as Associates reflected on the transformative six-day experience and reaffirmed their commitment to use the investment in them to influence policies, impact communities, and lead with evidence and empathy in shaping Africa’s future. Emphasizing one of the key outcomes of the training, Dr. Susan Kaaria noted that the Purpose Roadmaps developed by the Associates would serve as guiding tools for their leadership journeys.

See photos from the launch and the training

About the Young Impact Associates (YIA) Fellowship

The Young Impact Associates (YIA) – Agriculture Impact Fellowship is a year-long blended program designed to prepare emerging African leaders in impact measurement within agrifood systems.

Supported by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented through a consortium of Impact Partner Organizations (IPOs), comprising of CIFOR-ICRAF, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), and Akademiya2063, the Fellowship seeks to strengthen data-driven leadership and amplify the role of young African professionals in evidence-based decision-making across agrifood systems.

Data science is increasingly shaping decision-making across the food system, from the household to the highest levels of policymaking. Critical challenges like climate change, resource constraints, and technological advances are reshaping how we imagine the future of agriculture, climate resilience, and sustainability, making way for data science-driven solutions. Data science-driven food systems have the potential to transform agrifood systems by harnessing advanced technologies and data analytics.

This shift calls for intense efforts to bolster action to strengthen data scientists’ capacity, visibility, and leadership, ensuring high-quality solutions. Despite this growing demand, Africa still suffers from significant gender disparity in the field of science. Women remain underrepresented, leading to a significant gender gap in science, where their unique needs and insights are often missing from the solutions.

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) recognizes this urgency and, through the African Women in Data Science Fellowship, cultivates a strong pipeline of African women equipped to apply advanced data science approaches to transform agrifood systems and strengthen climate resilience.  The Fellowship seeks to empower early to mid-career African women data professionals with the technical expertise, leadership acumen, and collaborative networks needed to drive impactful, data-informed solutions across the continent.

As part of the program’s core interventions, AWARD recently convened an immersive two-week technical bootcamp in Nairobi for Women in Data Science Fellowship Fellows, a strategic intervention designed to bridge the science gap and place women at the forefront of action transforming agrifood systems. Jointly led by AWARD and Moringa School, the bootcamp blends hands‑on sessions, capstone project design, and peer learning to strengthen fellows’ analytical and problem‑solving capabilities, enabling them to deploy data science tools for real‑world agricultural innovation.

“The bootcamp was not just theories and lectures. It also included hands-on practice, which I found very helpful. Before the bootcamp, I was hesitant about whether it would be enough to strengthen my skills. Now I am ready to apply the knowledge I have gained to complex environmental issues,” Dr.  Meron Tekalign Gelan, Assistant Professor, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Strengthening women’s technical capacity in data science is crucial for agrifood systems, especially as new tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and digital technologies emerge. Gender data gaps remain substantial, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence indicates that women account for only 31% of researchers, and this figure declines sharply as you move up the education and leadership levels, with only 28% reaching the PhD level.

The disparities highlight why it is imperative to accelerate interventions like the fellowship bootcamp. Equipping women in science with the right skills to enhance access to timely, accurate, and gender‑responsive data is vital for designing resilient, targeted agricultural interventions and for understanding the lived experiences of smallholder farmers.

“The tools I have learned (Python and Machine Learning) will be vital to how I handle data and make insights and recommendations for programs and interventions that farmers can actually relate to,” Dr. Martha Nelima Okumu, Associate Scientist, African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), Kenya.

Following the bootcamp, the Fellows will embark on conceptualizing their data science projects, which address specific agrifood system gaps in their countries, as well as a two-month virtual training on applying data science to African food systems research and development.

See photos from the technical bootcamp training.

Featuring expert voices driving equitable policy reforms across Kenya

In this final feature we talked to Mr. Simon Nyariki, Training, Kenya School of Agriculture. He reflects on the timelines of the GASP program and its significance to calling attention to intentional gender-responsive approaches to strengthen the resilience of agrifood systems.

Name: Simon Nyariki  

Title: Trainer/Head of Department 

Institution: Kenya School of Agriculture 

Q: Which training tools did you find most impactful, and how can they help you strengthen your program design and delivery?

Simon: The most valuable takeaway has been learning how to use gender analysis frameworks such as the GAPo tool.  These tools help us understand gender roles and ensure our programs reach all groups equitably. At our institution, we plan to utilize them to strengthen our programs, ensuring that every group we work with is adequately and effectively supported.

Q: What challenges do you find impact gender integration in agrifood policies the most?

Simon: I think there are three main hurdles. First, policy gaps. Many policies are too vague and fail to specify interventions or target groups. Second, resource constraints. Simply, very few resources are allocated to tackling gender. Finally, a critical lack of gender-disaggregated data, which makes it difficult to design targeted solutions. You can’t solve a problem you can’t see clearly.

Q: What opportunities does the GASP program create to tackle them?

Simon: The GASP program equips us to address specific gender groups and tailor interventions based on their needs. The tools and knowledge we’ve gained help us to identify specific groups and prioritize their unique needs. 

Q: Tell us one fun fact about your job.

Simon: I train adults who work directly in the field, and that’s always fun! ” My classes are never a one-way street. They are full of shared experiences. The young bring new energy, the seasoned bring deep knowledge. Nobody owns the knowledge; we share and learn together. That’s the fun of it.

Featuring expert voices driving equitable policy reforms across Kenya

This feature spotlights Ms. Leah Boit, Training Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya. She reflects on the importance of clearly defined policy outcomes in building a stronger foundation for advancing gender equality.

Name: Leah Boit 

Title: Training Officer

Institution: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya

Q: What lessons from the training did you find most valuable for your work, and how do you plan to apply them?

Leah: My role involves training, and part of that includes mainstreaming cross-cutting issues like gender. For a long time, we’ve struggled to communicate why gender mainstreaming matters in our sector. What struck me during the GASP training is that, despite our constitutional requirement to mainstream gender in all departments, we haven’t truly achieved that commitment.

One key takeaway for me is the importance of focusing on outcomes. Instead of just discussing the process, we must ask: What is the actual transformation we want to achieve? When we can clearly articulate the positive outcomes, such as increased productivity or improved family nutrition, we gain a much stronger foundation for championing gender equality. 

Q: What challenges do you find impact gender integration in agrifood policies the most?

Leah: For me, the biggest challenge is facilitation and structure. Ideally, all our departments should have a dedicated gender expert, but that is not the case, which makes gender mainstreaming feel like an add-on rather than a core part of our work. Without proper structures and dedicated resources, our efforts remain broken and lose momentum. 

Q: What opportunities does the GASP program create to tackle them?

Leah: Through the program, we are shifting from theory to practice. The training has provided us with a network of professionals who are not only theoretically trained but also have practical experience. For instance, we’re learning practical gender analysis tools that an extension officer can use. Something as simple as considering the timing of a training session can determine whether women can attend. This program is building a community of competent professionals who can design practical interventions that fit into the community’s rhythm, ensuring that no one is left behind. 

Q: Tell us one fun fact about your job.

Leah: I love fieldwork, especially food security assessments. I ask smallholder households how many meals they eat a day. Often, the answer is one or two. But when I ask how many they’ve eaten on average for the last five years, they give the same answer. It’s a striking moment. What we as outsiders see as insufficient for their dietary needs, they have come to regard as their ‘normal’. It’s a reminder that our perception of ‘normal’ can mask deep-rooted food insecurity, and that my work isn’t just about data. It is about changing perspectives and realities to ensure that ‘normal’ truly meets people’s needs.

Featuring expert voices driving equitable policy reforms across Kenya

This feature follows an interview with Mr. Julius Komunga, Adaptation and mitigation lead officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya. He shares insight on the importance of integrating gender in policy design and practice.

Name: Julius Komunga  

Title: Adaptation and mitigation lead officer

Institution: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Kenya

Q: Reflecting on the training, what insights did you find most valuable for your work?

Julius: This was a space for learning and sharing across diverse perspectives, from academia, research, and other government departments. The timing was perfect, especially as my department is currently evaluating the ‘Kenya Climate-Smart Agriculture Strategy (2018–2026)’. The training emphasized the importance of gender analysis and building institutional capacity to design inclusive policies. This training equipped us with the tools to ask a critical question: “Was it truly gender-responsive?” More importantly, it gives us the know-how to ensure the following strategy is. 

Q: What challenges do you find impact gender integration in agrifood policies the most?

Julius: It is a combination of issues. Women often have limited access to credit, technology, and agronomic information, including early warnings. But perhaps the most critical challenge is their underrepresentation in decision-making platforms, such as cooperatives. This means their voices aren’t heard where it counts.  Additionally, gender policy implementation is uneven across counties coupled with a capacity gap among public and private actors responsible for putting them into practice.

Q: What opportunities does the GASP program create to tackle them?

Julius: The program provides a strong foundation for ensuring that our policies are inclusive and sustainable, ultimately benefiting the entire community. It provides us with the tools to empower smallholders, particularly women, throughout the entire value chain, ensuring they are well-informed and resilient, especially in the face of climate change. The tools we’ve gained are a major step towards “gender-proofing” our climate and agriculture policies, which are fundamental for national food security. Additionally, the program is a catalyst for cross-collaboration, creating spaces for knowledge exchange and shared learning. 

Q: Tell us one fun fact about your job.

Julius: (Laughs) In this sector, I like to call myself a jack of all trades. I’m involved in everything from policy development and capacity building to stakeholder partnerships and climate change adaptation; it all lands on my desk. It’s challenging, but it means I get to see the entire picture, from the policy document to its impact on the ground. That is incredibly rewarding!

Lancement d’un nouveau programme de formation sur le leadership des femmes dans la recherche agricole 

Un nouveau Programme de développement de carrière a été lancé pour aider les professionnelles à faire progresser l’agriculture résiliente au climat en Afrique du Nord et de l’Ouest. 

6 MARS, NAIROBI – Les femmes travaillant dans la recherche et le développement agricoles en Afrique du Nord et de l’Ouest ont l’opportunité de bénéficier d’un programme de mentorat structuré, de formations en leadership et d’un soutien à la collaboration scientifique grâce au lancement d’un nouveau programme de renforcement de capacités. 

Le programme est lancé par AWARD (African Women in Agricultural Research and Development) et mis en œuvre dans le cadre du Partenariat Afrique-Australie pour une agriculture résiliente au climat‘ , une initiative régionale du gouvernement australien visant à soutenir le développement de l’agriculture en Afrique. Il permettra aux chercheuses ressortissantes de l‘Égypte, du Ghana, du Maroc, du Nigeria, du Sénégal et de la Sierra Leone de renforcer leur potentiel de leadership et leurs compétences techniques tout en contribuant à un développement agricole plus inclusif et résilient au changement climatique sur le continent. 

L’appel à candidatures pour le programme de formation sur le ​​leadership des femmes dans l’agriculture sera ouvert du 6 mars 2026 au 26 avril 2026. 

Les femmes jouent un rôle essentiel dans les systèmes agroalimentaires africains, puisqu’elles représentent près de 49 % de la main-d’œuvre des systèmes agroalimentaires en Afrique subsaharienne. Pourtant, elles restent largement sous-représentées dans les postes de leadership de la recherche agricole, les instances de prise de décision et les systèmes d’innovation. La participation des femmes aux processus décisionnels liés au climat reste également inférieure à celle des hommes, ce qui se traduit par des opportunités non exploitées et la difficulté à valoriser les connaissances et expertises essentielles en matière de gestion des ressources naturelles et d’adaptation au changement climatique. Les obstacles structurels limitent l’accès des femmes aux ressources, aux réseaux et aux possibilités d’avancement, ce qui compromet la capacité de l’Afrique à relever efficacement les défis liés au changement climatique et de la sécurité alimentaire. 

Lancé pendant l’Année internationale des Agricultrices, ce nouveau programme souligne l’importance d’investir dans le leadership des femmes, essentiel à la mise en place de systèmes alimentaires plus résilients et plus équitables. 

 «Ce nouveau programme est un investissement important visant à promouvoir le leadership et la participation des femmes africaines dans l’agriculture résiliente au climat », a déclaré Dre. Susan Kaaria, directrice d’AWARD. « Dans de nombreux pays africains, les femmes sont encore largement sous-représentées, en particulier dans la recherche, la gestion et la prise de décision. En renforçant leur leadership, leur accès aux réseaux professionnels et en amplifiant leur influence, nous renforçons leur engagement dans l’innovation et accélérons la transformation des systèmes agroalimentaires au profit des petits exploitants agricoles, hommes et femmes.» 

Le programme de deux ans et non résidentiel, propose des formations personnalisées en matière de leadership et de négociation, de mentorat, d’adaptation climatique sensible au genre, d’analyse des systèmes agroalimentaires, de communication scientifique et d’élaboration de propositions. Ces formations seront dispensées selon un modèle mixte combinant des activités virtuelles et des sessions en présentiel. Les lauréates prendront part à un modèle structuré de mentorat à trois niveaux, reliant des scientifiques chevronnés, les lauréates en milieu de carrière et des jeunes chercheuses afin de favoriser l’apprentissage intergénérationnel et le développement durable à travers le leadership scientifique. Le programme encourage également la collaboration à travers des groupes de recherche transnationaux, l’engagement des institutions et des activités de renforcement de la visibilité, afin de positionner les lauréates comme des championnes de la recherche sur les systèmes agroalimentaires et le climat. 

 « Les chercheuses jouent un rôle essentiel dans l’avancement de l’agriculture résiliente au changement climatique en Afrique, mais beaucoup d’entre elles sont encore confrontées à des obstacles structurels qui limitent leur progression et leur influence », a déclaré le Dre. Leah Ndung’u, directrice régionale pour l’Afrique du Centre australien pour la recherche agricole internationale (ACIAR). Ce nouveau programme répond directement à ce défi en combinant développement du leadership, mentorat et collaboration régionale afin de renforcer à la fois les parcours professionnels individuels et les systèmes de recherche qui soutiennent les agriculteurs. » 

Le programme de formation sur le leadership des femmes dans l’agriculture s’appuie sur la vaste expérience d’AWARD dans la conception et la mise en œuvre d’initiatives de développement de carrière destinées aux femmes scientifiques africaines. L’organisation a un solide bilan en matière de renforcement des capacités de leadership, d’élargissement des réseaux professionnels et de promotion des innovations agricoles sensible au genre. Depuis 2008, les initiatives d’AWARD ont vu la participation de plus de 2200 scientifiques issus de plus de 450 institutions dans 26 pays. 

FIN 

Notes aux éditeurs·trices 

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter : 

Donna Bowater 

Marchmont Communications 

Donna@marchmontcomms.com   

+61 434 635 099 

Harvey Presence 

Marchmont Communications 

harvey@marchmontcomms.com   

+44 7582 195497 

À propos du programme de formation sur le leadership des femmes dans l’agriculture 

Ce programme est une initiative de l’organisation AWARD (African Women in Agricultural Research and Development) financée dans le cadre du partenariat Afrique-Australie pour une agriculture adaptée au climat. Il vise à contribuer au deuxième résultat de fin de programme (EOPO2) du Partenariat qui stipule que : « L’Australie mobilise ses financements auprès des instituts nationaux et multilatéraux de recherche agricole afin d’accroître le nombre de femmes dirigeant et participant à une agriculture résiliente face au climat ». Le partenariat Afrique-Australie pour une agriculture résiliente au climat est mis en œuvre par le Centre australien pour la recherche agricole internationale (ACIAR), en collaboration avec le ministère des affaires étrangères et du commerce (DFAT). Consultez le site https://www.aciar.gov.au/ pour plus d’informations. 

À propos d’AWARD 

AWARD (African Women in Agricultural Research and Development) œuvre en faveur d’une plus grande prospérité dans une société inclusive axée sur le développement agricole en Afrique. Cela passe par le renforcement de la production et la diffusion de recherches et innovations agricoles qui intègrent mieux les questions de genre. Nous investissons dans la recherche grâce à des programmes de formation destinés aux chercheurs et chercheuses, instituts de recherche et entreprises agro-alimentaires pour qu’ils puissent développer des innovations agricoles mieux adaptées aux besoins et priorités d’une diversité de femmes et d’hommes à travers les chaînes de valeur agricoles en Afrique. Consultez le site https://awardfellowships.org/ pour plus d’informations