Announcing the 2021 Leadership Impact Award
The U.S. Department of State and IREX are excited to announce the launch of the 2021 Leadership Impact Award, an opportunity for Alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
The Leadership Impact Award recognizes the individual achievements of one outstanding member of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Network. Ideal candidates for the Leadership Impact Award are Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni who have freely and consistently committed their time and expertise to the needs of others—whether inside or outside of work—by promoting inclusion, innovation, and access in their personal or professional communities.
The 2020 Leadership Impact Award gave Ibrahima Gueye a platform to share practical advice and experience with the Fellowship Community through articles on his leadership journey and advocacy work in Guinea, contributions to a Fellowship online course, and featured roles on panels on Servant Leadership During Crisis and Fighting Corruption Through Social Inclusion.
Nomination Information
Institute Partners, Reciprocal Exchange Awardees, U.S. Embassies and Consulates, and Professional Development Experience host organizations may nominate Fellowship Alumni for the Leadership Impact Award. Self and peer nominations will not be accepted. Nominators, including those from the same organization, can nominate more than one person for the Leadership Impact Award.
Application Information
Fellowship Alumni who are nominated for the Leadership Impact Award will be invited to submit an online application. Nominees will be evaluated on the impact of their work, their service as ambassadors for the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the quality of their advice to 2021 Mandela Washington Fellows, and their professionalism and English proficiency.
One winner will be selected and invited to share a recorded message with the 2021 Fellows and be featured in Fellowship activities taking place in 2021. Relevant costs, as determined by the U.S. Department of State and IREX, will be covered by the Fellowship.
Eligible applications must:
- Be Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni in good standing (Please note Regional Leadership Center alumni are not eligible)
- Reside in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Be willing to offer a recorded message to 2021 Fellows and agree to submit a draft of this message for IREX approval
- Complete the Fellowship Contact and Biographical Information Update Form
- Be willing to propose and participate in a knowledge-sharing activity that benefits the wider Alumni community and participate in Fellowship activities as requested
- Be able to obtain a passport and visa for travel to the United States, if necessary
- Be willing to sign an Award Terms and Conditions agreement and media release form.
Selection Criteria
The selected winner will:
- Have a proven track record of servant leadership in their personal or professional community. Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy built on the belief that the most effective leaders strive to serve others and give back to the community. Ideal candidates for the Leadership Impact Award are Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni who have freely and consistently committed their time and expertise to the needs of others—whether inside or outside of work—by promoting inclusion, innovation, and access in their personal or professional communities.
- Be an advocate and active ambassador for the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
- Be professional in their behavior and possess sufficient English proficiency to fully engage with Fellowship stakeholders and participate in Fellowship activities as required.
Timeline
- Nomination Deadline | March 29, 2021
- Nominee Application Period | March 30 – April 20, 2021
- Notification of Award | Late May 2021
Nominees must submit the online application by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on April 20, 2021 in order to be considered for the Leadership Impact Award.
Questions? Email us at mwfalumni@irex.org.