Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture’s (CALA) Advanced Leadership Program

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Africa’s food security challenges require results-oriented leaders in government, the private sector and civil society who are responsive, adaptable, and able to lead collaboration, mobilize real change, and ensure delivery of country priorities.

At the country-level, for a leader and champion in food security and agriculture to remain relevant and effective, professionals must be ready to lead change and deliver on their priorities with practical tools and strategies.

The Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture’s (CALA) Advanced Leadership Programme is a collaborative, hands-on, and tailored experience for senior and rising leaders in Africa’s agriculture sector. Designed for individuals spearheading and directly implementing specific country-level agriculture initiatives, the program is initially open to participants from eight countries (see eligibility).

Certificate & Recognition

Graduates of the program will receive a certificate in Advanced Leadership Programme for Africa’s Food Security & Sustainability
Be recognized as delivery champions across AGRA’s prestigious continental platforms and events, including at the national level
Join an esteemed network of transformative leaders providing peer support for continuous achievement of country priorities

Programme Format

The 16-month leadership program for experienced professionals will include a unique learning approach to developing participants’ leadership, collaboration and management skills, through the following experiences:

Virtual and in-person learning events to hone leadership skills for delivery
Action Learning Projects connected directly to the participants’ job objectives and country transformation objectives
On-the-job and in-country coaching
Regular peer accountability sessions
Participation in bi-annual leadership forums
Participation in the Africa Food Systems Forum
Exposure to case studies of ‘Game-changers’ in African agriculture
Virtual and in-person peer learning and networking with cohorts of participants from across the continent.

Program Costs & Sponsorship

Participants’ fees are fully sponsored through support provided to AGRA by the German Development Cooperation through KfW Development Bank. This will include travel costs for all Leadership Forums and graduation events. Participants are expected to meet their own costs of internet access for virtual leadership forums. Please note, CALA does not provide for per diems for in-person leadership forums and graduation events attendance.

Program Outcomes

CALA’s Advanced Leadership Programme will support food security champions and leaders to:

Be recognized as a delivery-oriented and collaborative leader driving tangible change at the country level
Advance country-level flagship programs and policies to achieve progress toward agriculture transformation
Network & drive cross-sector collaboration to advance sustainability and food security objectives
Enhance leadership skills in environmental sustainability through exposure to agroecological principles, climate change adaptation and environmental and social management (ESMS), each recognized as contributing to sustainable farming, food production, and resilient food systems in the face of increasing climate change impacts.

Eligibility

Leaders implementing country-level agriculture efforts:

Established or emerging leaders working in government, private firms and associations, or civil society organizations who are responsible for driving agriculture flagships and priority programs.
Must be actively employed or working in government (public sector), private sector and civil society (associations or civil society organizations)
Cohorts will be formed from participants from the following countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda.

Special consideration will be given to: