How to Apply and become a Fellow of AFRIKA KOMMT

Why becomes a fellow? The AFRIKA KOMMT! fellowship programme provides an unparalleled opportunity to young, talented African professionals for a one-year career and life transformational experience in Germany.

AFRIKA KOMMT is an Initiative of German Industry for Future Leaders from Africa.  AFRIKA KOMMT! brings together the most visionary young leaders from Africa and leading German companies. Companies benefit from the expertise, knowledge, local network and unique African perspective of the young professionals. The African fellows dive deep into the German corporate specifics, German business spirit and the German culture.

 

AFRIKA KOMMT! is a fellowship programme that connects visionary African professionals and leading German companies. Together they pave the way for global inclusive business and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The programme provides an unparalleled opportunity to young, talented African professionals for a one-year career and life transformational experience.

 

As a participant of AFRIKA KOMMT! you will:

·         Refine your leadership and management competence

·         Access networks and opportunities for career acceleration

·         Improve your intercultural competence

·         Broaden your perspective and stir up innovation

·         Achieve personal growth.

 

Refine your Leadership and Management Competence

You will advance your leadership, management and technical skills through hands on training and experience in a leading German company while, at the same time, contributing your expertise and diverse experience in meaningful projects and work assignments.

Your learning journey will also encompass diverse training modules tailor-made for you as a fellow of AFRIKA KOMMT!.

 

As a valuable addition to your current professional experience, this learning cycle and exposure will equip and position you to be a better leader in your sector and sphere of influence.

 

Access Networks & Opportunities for Career Acceleration

AFRIKA KOMMT! gives you the opportunity to network with a diverse pool of professionals from Africa, Germany and around the world, in and out of the work place. This enriching experience will facilitate you to develop a rich global network that will open exciting new career opportunities. You will also be equipped to be a bridge builder between Germany and Africa through initiating networks of cooperation between your country, continent and German companies.

 

Improve Intercultural Competence

During the programme, you will interact with people from different countries and cultures. You will learn the German language and visit several German cultural heritage sites. Through this you will gain first hand intercultural experience and be better equipped to function in diverse environments with multicultural teams – an important skill for a global citizen like yourself!

 

Broaden your Perspective and Stir up Innovation

The programme is designed to give you maximum exposure to leading industry innovation, new technologies and the latest global ideas. This will broaden your perspective, clear your vision and stir up your innovation and leadership potential.

 

A Comprehensive Programme in Three Phases

Selection and Preparation

·         Definition of fellowship profiles by the companies

·         Application phase

·         Selection of the candidates for the Assessment Center

·         Assessment Center and final selection of fellows

·         Preparatory German course in home country for fellows

One-Year Stay in Germany

Intensive German language course

3 Management Trainings (Focus: Intercultural Competencies, Leadership, Project and Change Management, Conflict Management)

8-month fellowship in the partner company

One-week study tour

Weekend Seminars

Networking events

Farewell ceremony with the Federal Foreign Office

 

Alumni Phase

One-week refresher course

Participation in AFRIKA KOMMT! events

Alumni projects

Continuous networking

 

To apply for the programme you must:

·         Be a Citizen of any African country

·         Have a university degree in a relevant subject?

·         Postgraduate degree (e.g., MBA) is an advantage

·         Have two to five years’ work experience

·         Have excellent English language skills

·         Basic knowledge of the German language is an advantage

·         Not be older than 35 years at the time of application

 

Further Selection Criteria

In addition to the above technical and educational requirements, you should also have the following skills and attributes:

Language and communication skills:

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• High willingness to learn German

Professional skills:

• High leadership potential
• Strong self-motivation and self-starter mentality
• High level of dedication, commitment and target-orientation
• Strong capacity for teamwork

Personal attributes:

• High level of enthusiasm, flexibility and resilience
• Open mindset
• Outstanding intercultural competencies
• Ability to adapt to new environments quickly
• Ability to reflect own behaviour and bias

 

HOW DO I APPLY?

You can apply for the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme only during the application phase (February 16 – March 30, 2022) and through our online application portal. Applications by email are not accepted.

 

How to submit your application

Step 1

Check the general candidate requirements – do you fit the criteria and are you eligible for the programme?

 

Step 2

Check the available fellowship placements and required profiles for the new intake of AFRIKA KOMMT!.

The fellowship placements will only be available during the application phase.

Your application will be considered for the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme as a whole, however you are asked to select maximum 2 profiles in the application form and to give reasons for your choice.

 

Step 3

Register on https://application.afrika-kommt.de and fill in the application form in English.

Applications in other languages will not be considered.

In addition to filling the application form, you will be asked to upload a short presentation about your motivation, an idea for a change initiative, a photo and your certificates.

About the idea for a change initiative:

One of the aims of AFRIKA KOMMT! is to build a platform that supports young African professionals to design change initiatives that seek to solve social and economic challenges in their countries.  Please think for an idea for a change initative that you would like to implement in your country. You will be asked four questions about your idea in the application form.

Step 4

Submit your application before the application deadline (March 30, 2022) – applications submitted after this date cannot be considered.

 

Application submitted – what happens next?

You will receive feedback on your application within approx. 8-12 weeks after the official end of the application period. The partner companies may contact you to do a short telephone interview with you. If your application has successfully passed the pre-selection stage, you will receive an invitation to a 2-days assessment centre.

 

Click here to Apply

Credit: AFRIKA KOMMT fellowship