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UNNF Ocean Governance Fellowship for SIDS

Call for Applications

The call for applications for the first session of the Ocean Governance Fellowship for SIDS is now closed.

Deadline for applications: 29 March 2024.

Objectives

The new UNNF Ocean Governance Fellowship for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), generously supported by The Nippon Foundation, aims to increase the capacity of SIDS Government officials to effectively implement ocean governance and international legal frameworks. In doing so, this Fellowship Programme aims to address the special circumstances of SIDS, and consider the diverse challenges, opportunities and needs across different regions.

This Fellowship endeavors to strengthen human capacity to support the development of ocean governance frameworks necessary to:

a) effectively implement the 1982 51³Ô¹Ï Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and related instruments, including the BBNJ Agreement;

b) tackle the triple planetary crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution); and

c) implement the SDGs, especially SDG 14, with a focus on developing sustainable blue economies, addressing environmental impacts (particularly the devastating impacts of ocean plastic), building resilience to climate change, and giving consideration to gender aspects.

SIDS Government officials who have positions in their Administrations relevant to ocean affairs and the law of the sea, but have limited background in this field, will receive customized training targeting the challenges highlighted in their applications. After completing the Fellowship, these officials are expected to apply their newly acquired knowledge in their respective Administrations.

Photo: Christophe Mason-Parker, 

Photo: Chris Gug, 

Key documents:

Application process and eligibility criteria

Small Island Developing States are invited to nominate Government officials, who are filling relevant positions in their Administration and actively working on ocean affairs and related disciplines.

Nominated candidates must meet all the following criteria:

  1. Be between the ages of 25 and 45;
  2. Have successfully completed a first-level university degree;
  3. Be Government officials from SIDS actively working on ocean affairs and related disciplines; including the implementation of the UNCLOS regime and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; national and/or regional ocean policy; establishment of maritime zones and the delimitation of maritime boundaries; coastal zone management; conservation and management of marine living resources; maritime transport and shipping; maritime security; the protection and preservation of the marine environment; and marine science.

In addition:

  1. Their proposed study programme must contribute directly to the State's formulation and/or implementation of ocean affairs and law of the sea policies and programmes;
  2. Must be free of all non-Fellowship obligations during this entire period unless otherwise authorized by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs.

Satisfaction of the above criteria must be clearly demonstrated by the candidate through the application forms and confirmed by a Nominating Authority. The "Nomination and Recommendation Form" must be completed by a Government official who can attest to the nature of the candidate’s work with respect to the Government's ocean affairs and law of the sea related activities, and indicate how an Award would directly contribute to these activities.

The Programme is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its participants. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications are welcome only when a call for applications is open.

Fellowship conditions

For the conditions of the Fellowship, including regarding travel, stipend payments, visas, medical clearance, insurance and housing, please see the Fellowship Conditions page.

News

Photo: Shane Gross, 

Fellowship structure, curriculum and deliverables

Fellowship structure, curriculum and deliverables

The Fellowship consists of a three-month training programme at the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, Office of Legal Affairs of the 51³Ô¹Ï Secretariat, at 51³Ô¹Ï Headquarters in New York. A highly customized curriculum is developed for successful candidates, based on the specific national and/or regional challenges and opportunities linked to the special circumstances of their States, as outlined in their applications and supported by their nominating authorities. Substantive activities include in-person training sessions, discussions and workshops delivered by 51³Ô¹Ï staff and visiting experts in the field, and complemented by practical group exercises, scenario-based discussions and other assignments.

In addition, the Fellows will be integrated into the training activities developed for the UNNF Strategic Needs Fellows, thereby being exposed to opportunities for additional learning and networking. 

The deliverables of the Fellowship Programme include a number of assignments related to the training curriculum to be completed in the context of the training curriculum; a research paper prepared by the Fellows on topics of specific interest to their country; and the development of an ocean governance matrix.

The UNNF Ocean Governance Fellowship for SIDS is scheduled to take place at 51³Ô¹Ï Headquarters between September and December 2024.