The Fellowship for NGO Leaders
About the Fellowship
Professors Without Borders is proud to launch The Fellowship for NGO Leaders, a year-long professional development programme designed to strengthen leadership, collaboration, and organisational capacity among Africa-based NGO leaders.
The Fellowship is built around peer learning and practical exchange, bringing together leaders to share experiences, tools, and approaches that support stronger governance, accountability, and sustainable organisational growth.
This first edition brings together 15-20 NGO leaders for a collaborative, peer-driven learning journey focused on zero-cost capacity building and practical skills that can be immediately applied within their organisations and teams.
This Year’s Focus: Women & Food
This year’s Fellowship is delivered through the thematic lens of Women & Food, reflecting the sectors in which participating NGO leaders work and the communities they serve across Africa.
The Fellowship does not provide technical training on food systems. Instead, it focuses on strengthening leadership, governance, and organisational capacity for NGO leaders whose work relates to women, food security, nutrition, agriculture, and community livelihoods.
By grounding leadership development within this shared thematic context, the Fellowship enables relevant peer exchange, practical learning, and collaboration among leaders facing similar organisational and sector-specific challenges.
Who Is This Fellowship For?
The Fellowship is designed for NGO leaders based in Africa who are actively leading or managing non-profit organisations and seeking to strengthen their leadership and organisational capacity.
Applicants should be working within organisations whose missions relate to women and food, including areas such as food security, nutrition, agriculture, community livelihoods, and women’s empowerment.
The programme is delivered in English. Applicants must be able to understand and engage with discussions in English, though fluency is not required.
Eligibility criteria:
Based in Africa
Currently leading or managing an NGO
Working within women- and food-related sectors
Able to commit to monthly online sessions
Comfortable understanding English
What Fellows Will Gain
Through the Fellowship, participants will strengthen their leadership capabilities while gaining practical tools to support the effective management and long-term sustainability of their organisations.
The programme emphasises peer learning, shared experience, and immediately applicable practices, enabling fellows to translate learning directly into action within their teams and communities.
Fellows will gain:
Practical leadership and organisational management skills relevant to NGO contexts
Stronger understanding of governance, accountability, and risk management
Tools and frameworks for financial reporting, monitoring and evaluation (MEL), and fundraising
Opportunities for peer exchange and collaboration with NGO leaders across Africa
Increased confidence to lead teams, engage stakeholders, and plan for organisational sustainability
Programme Format & Commitment
The Fellowship runs over 12 months, with monthly online sessions held on the first Thursday of each month, from 17:00–18:00 EAT.
The programme combines short expert presentations, roundtable discussions, Q&A sessions, and peer exchange, creating a collaborative learning environment where participants can share challenges, tools, and practical solutions.
Fellows are expected to commit to active participation throughout the year, including attending sessions, engaging in discussions, and contributing insights to the collective learning experience.
Fellowship Schedule
| Dates | Topic |
|---|---|
|
5 Mar 2026 |
Programme Launch & Strategic Vision |
|
2 Apr 2026 |
Building Your Brand: Roundtable |
|
7 May 2026 |
AI Tools for NGO Efficiency (Claude, etc.): Q&A
|
|
4 Jun 2026 |
Financial Accounting & Reporting: Q&A |
|
2 Jul 2026 |
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning |
|
6 Aug 2026 |
Governance, Risk & Managing Trustees: Roundtable
|
|
3 Sep 2026 |
Community Engagement & Participation: Roundtable |
|
1 Oct 2026 |
Grant Writing & Fundraising |
|
5 Nov 2026 |
Advocacy & Policy Influence: Roundtable |
|
3 Dec 2026 |
Leadership: Roundtable |
|
7 Jan 2027 |
Recruiting, Managing & Motivating Your Team |
|
4 Feb 2027 |
Program Reflection & Future Planning |
CHAIRS & ORGANISERS
Sharon Monethi
co-Chair
Sharon Monethi founded the Woman of Age Foundation in South Africa, where she works with women and girls to provide developmental, sustainable, and scalable solutions that help them enter the job market and achieve self-sufficiency. She is committed to partnering with others, pursuing the common good, so that communities can thrive and those who are vulnerable, isolated, and disadvantaged can experience life in its well-positioned and play a crucial role in the development of new models and agricultural initiatives while reducing inequalities and building hunger free communities. Sharon is a 2024 Women For Zero Hunger Award Winner and a former COP 27 honoree, among other recognitions for her contributions to community development and economic empowerment.
Mariah Hwedi
co-Chair
Mariah serves as Executive Assistant to the Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University in the United States, where she leads student engagement initiatives. She created and launched The Engagement Ambassadors, The Virtual Student Leadership Circle, and The Huskies for Life Mentorship Program, while managing the Student Ambassador program—supervising 100 participants and producing monthly events and content. Mariah will graduate with her Master's in Nonprofit Management with Leadership and Communication from Northeastern University in May. Outside of work and study, she enjoys exercising, fashion, cooking, traveling, and beach outings.
Tara Sinfield-Hain
co-Chair
Tara is co-Chair of the NGO Leaders Fellowship at Professors Without Borders. In addition, she studies psychology and cognitive science at University College Roosevelt, University of Utrecht, focusing on the intersection of psychology and the environment. As a long-term Scout, Young Leader, and Beaver Leader, she brings experience in youth management and outdoor education. She has also organized a Sustainability conference, served on the management committee for Neurodiversity Week, and fundraised for the 24th World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, where she represented British Scouting Overseas.
How to Apply
Applications to The Fellowship for NGO Leaders are submitted online through the application form. Applicants are encouraged to apply early and ensure all required information is provided.
The application form includes questions on leadership experience, organisational background, and motivation for joining the Fellowship, as well as areas where applicants hope to contribute to peer learning.
Why Join The Fellowship for NGO Leaders?
Peer-to-Peer Learning
Exchange insights with fellow NGO leaders from across Africa, learning directly from shared challenges and successes.
Zero-Cost Capacity Building
Access training and mentorship without financial barriers, empowering leaders to strengthen their organisations sustainably.
Stronger NGO Networks
Connect with like-minded leaders to foster collaboration, share resources, and build regional partnerships.
Practical, Immediately Applicable Skills
Every session focuses on real-world tools and strategies that participants can implement right away.
Contextual Relevance
Designed by and for NGO professionals working across African contexts, ensuring the learning experience reflects the realities on the ground.
FAQs
How long does the Fellowship last?
The Fellowship will take place over one year with monthly online meetings that include guest speakers. Fellows will be encouraged to set the agenda for and participate in mentoring cohorts in the second year to deepen mentoring and networking opportunities.
What happens at the meetings?
Each session will be co-led by NGO leaders alongside the session facilitator (one of the programme chairs) and will be moderated and presented by a guest specialist in the chosen theme.
Sessions will include a short presentation, followed by questions, idea exchange, and group discussion. NGO leaders are encouraged to take an active role in shaping the conversation by sharing insights, examples, or reflections, in a way that aligns with their level of experience.
When do the meetings take place?
Meetings are held monthly, online, on the first Thursday of each month, from 17:00–18:00 EAT.
How much does this Fellowship cost?
There are no costs for Fellows.
All contributions, sponsorships and donations towards our work, however, are greatly appreciated.