The ODI Fellowship Scheme gives early-career economists and statisticians the chance to work as public sector civil servants on two-year contracts in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific and the Western Balkans.
ODI Fellows are typically employed as local civil servants reporting to local managers. Fellows work in a range of institutions from finance and planning ministries to ministries of health and education, as well as central banks, statistics offices, and regulatory bodies.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to candidates of all nationalities who have a master’s degree or PhD in economics, statistics or a related field.
- Suitable specialised qualifications at postgraduate level include, but aren’t limited to, agricultural economics, environmental economics, international economics, health economics, development economics, and econometrics and statistics.
- 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.
Other Requirements
Intellectual ability
- A sound grasp of economic and statistical theory and the ability to apply that knowledge to real world problems
- An ability to analyse data and information and to solve problems
- An ability to communicate complex technical ideas to non-specialists, both verbally and in writing
Personal qualities
- Resilience and problem-solving skills to drive change and to work independently
- Interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and political acumen to work well within a diverse team, sometimes on politically sensitive topics
- Patience and humility to learn about new contexts and accept advice
- Adaptability and flexibility to work within a resource-constrained environment
Management and work-related skills
- Prioritise and delegate work
- Able to consult and advocate
- Good time management
- An ability to work without supervision
- Project management
- Report writing
Applications are strengthened by a demonstrable interest in public policy, relevant work or voluntary experience and language proficiency (with English essential and French particularly advantageous) and strong IT skills.
