African Union Kofi Annan Scholars Program 2026 – Paid Public Health Experts Needed
Experienced public health professionals across Africa now have an opportunity to contribute directly to strengthening health systems on the continent. The AVoHC Kofi Annan Scholars Program 2026 invites experts in strategy development and health policy to support national governments and institutions in advancing Africa’s health security. Selected scholars will gain continental exposure while working on impactful public health assignments.
Quick Facts
- Host Organization: African Union – Africa CDC
- Opportunity Type: Expert Deployment / Public Health Fellowship
- Funding Type: Stipend, travel, accommodation, and deployment support
- Eligible Countries: African Union Member States and African diaspora experts
- Deadline: 02 April 2026
About the Opportunity
The AVoHC Kofi Annan Scholars Program is a flagship initiative of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) designed to strengthen Africa’s public health leadership and institutional capacity.
Through the program, experienced public health professionals are deployed to Ministries of Health, National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs), and other strategic health institutions across Africa. These time-bound assignments provide high-level technical support to help countries develop strong public health systems and respond effectively to emerging health threats.
The initiative forms part of the Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Program, which focuses on building a pipeline of skilled African leaders capable of advancing the continent’s health security and sovereignty agenda.
Within this framework, Africa CDC is establishing a roster of Strategy Development Experts under the African Volunteers Health Corps (AVoHC). Experts selected for the roster may be deployed to support countries in designing and implementing strategic public health policies and frameworks.
This opportunity is officially offered by the African Union through Africa CDC, and applicants should apply through the official application portal.
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the AVoHC Kofi Annan Scholars Program should meet the following requirements:
Academic Requirements
- Master’s or Doctoral degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Health Systems Management, Strategic Planning, or a related field
Professional Experience
- Minimum 7 years of experience in strategic planning or health policy development
- Experience contributing to national public health strategies or institutional reforms
- Proven ability to develop and implement strategic frameworks or policy documents
- Experience working with Ministries of Health, National Public Health Institutes, development partners, or civil society
Additional Requirements
- Strong understanding of African health systems and policy environments
- Excellent policy writing and strategic communication skills
- Ability to manage multi-stakeholder processes and consultations
- Proficiency in at least one African Union working language (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, or Swahili)
Knowledge of two or more AU working languages is considered an advantage.
Benefits
Selected experts under the AVoHC Kofi Annan Scholars Program will receive several professional and logistical benefits when deployed.
These may include:
- Stipend for the duration of deployment
- Round-trip international travel expenses
- Accommodation allowance during assignments
- Health insurance coverage during deployment
- Incidentals, communication, and risk allowances
- Certificate of recognition from the Africa CDC
In addition to financial support, participants gain:
- Opportunities to work with national governments and continental health institutions
- Exposure to high-level policy and strategic planning processes
- Access to professional development, mentorship, and training
- The chance to contribute to Africa’s long-term health security and resilience
Who Should Apply
The AVoHC Kofi Annan Scholars Program is particularly suitable for:
- Senior public health professionals and policy experts
- Researchers specializing in health systems strengthening
- Professionals with experience in national health strategy development
- Experts working with government agencies, development organizations, or health institutions
- Members of the African diaspora with public health expertise
Candidates passionate about shaping health policy and strengthening health institutions across Africa will benefit most from this opportunity.
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Application Process
Interested applicants should follow these steps:
- Visit the African Union recruitment portal.
- Download the mandatory African Union CV template.
- Complete the CV template accurately.
- Create or update your profile on the AU recruitment platform.
- Upload the completed CV and required supporting documents.
- Submit your application before 02 April 2026 (11:59 PM EAT).
Only shortlisted candidates who meet all requirements will be contacted for interviews.
How to Apply
The AVoHC Kofi Annan Scholars Program offers an exceptional opportunity for experienced professionals to contribute directly to strengthening public health systems across Africa.
If you have the expertise to support governments in developing strategic health policies and frameworks, this program provides a powerful platform to make a lasting impact.
Applications must be submitted before 02 April 2026 through the official African Union recruitment portal.
For more details, visit the AVoHC Kofi Annan Scholars Program.
