Call For Applications: Women and Clean Energy in West Africa (WOCEWA) Scholarship and Green Jobs Program 2024/2025

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) has received funding of CAD 1.5 million from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, to implement a project entitled Women and Clean Energy in West Africa (WOCEWA). WOCEWA has been designed to contribute to the objectives of the ECOWAS Policy for Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Access, which aims to address barriers to the equal participation of women and men in the expansion of energy access in West Africa. The project is specifically aimed at achieving the policy objective of gender mainstreaming in the private sector and increasing women’s participation as consumers and suppliers of clean energy.

With this in mind, the WOCEWA Scholarship and Green Jobs Program project initiative has been strengthened to create a pool of future women in the energy sector. By offering scholarships, in combination with automatic internship placement in ECOWAS energy institutions and agencies, ECREEE aims to address the low participation of women in the energy sector. The initiative will sponsor a total of six (6) young women from West Africa to complete their master’s programs. These young women will also be funded to work in the ECOWAS energy sector as interns for a period of six (6) months – increasing their ability to find employment in the energy sector.

WOCEWA Scholarship and Internship Program

• The WOCEWA project will provide scholarships to young West African women planning to go for a master’s program in an energy related field.
• Scholarship will be provided to young women having excellent academic record. Furthermore, these young women will have the option of being placed for internships at ECREEE, the West African Power Pool (WAPP), ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), ECOWAS Gender, Development Centre (EGDC), the other specialized agencies of ECOWAS Commission and ECREEE partners

Host institution.

• Scholars must be able to provide evidence of admission in any West African university that has been accredited to award master’s degrees in a STEM course with specialization in sustainable energy.

Applicants for WOCEWA Scholarship must meet the following general criteria:

• Be a citizen of one of the ECOWAS Member States.
• Applicants must have obtained a registration in the first year of master’s degree in one university on institution in West Africa.
• Be female with background in STEM having an energy focus. • The maximum age to apply for this scholarship is 32 years old at the end of year 2024.
• Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5/5, i.e., Upper Second-Class (equivalent of an average of 14/20 for the francophone system)
• Does not have an existing scholarship from another organization. N.B: Any false declaration will result in a permanent suspension of support.

Scholarship and Internship Value

WOCEWA Scholarship will be follow as:

• The scholarship has a maximum value of US$3200 per year for a maximum of two (2) years per person.The funds may cover:
  • Tuition fee and health insurance
    Tuition fees and health insurance are capped at US$2500. Fees will be paid directly by ECREEE to the training institution. . If the tuition fees and health insurance exceed this amount, the applicant is responsible for the remaining balance. Conversely, if the tuition is below the maximum, any excess funds will be transferred to the applicant.
  • A computer with a maximum value of US$700
  • The Internship program at ECREEE or one of ECOWAS institutions in the energy sector. will last for six (6) months covering travel, insurance and subsistence. The intern will receive a monthly stipend of $800 to cover expenses.

Application Procedures

• A detailed CV and other required documents (see attached TOR) should be submitted by email to ONLY scholarships@ecreee.org .
• Clearly state in the subject line “WOCEWA SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM”
• The deadline for submission is no later than 23:59 (UTC-1) on 03^rd October 2024.
• Further information/clarification can be obtained at the following email addresses: pzidago@ecreee.org and/or eflan@ecreee.org . Please do not copy any of these two email addresses when submitting your proposals. Your application will be disqualified if you do so.

How to Apply?

Applications can only be made by the candidates themselves. An application is considered complete only if it includes all documents below:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae
• Copy of passport biodata
• Certified copies of their bachelor’s certificate
• Official transcripts from bachelor’s degree.
• Proof of registration for the master’s degree courses.
• Bank details of your university for tuition fees
• Proof of admission in an eligible West African university and in the relevant course.
• Applicants must submit a letter of motivation to the ECREEE’s Director Executive, with a word count between 300 and 500.
• Applicant must commit herself to respect the terms and conditions of the program
• Applications will be selected by a committee and the process will be objective and transparent.

For any inquires on the proposal, you can contact: Prisca Zidago; pzidago@ecreee.org and/or Erica Flan; eflan@ecreee.org

Deadline:  October 3rd, 2024

Click HERE to Apply