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ODI is now inviting applications for ODI’s Fellowship Scheme 2025-27. This fellowship opportunity is open to young professionals globally. Apply now!
Opportunity Details
About the ODI Fellowship Scheme
Launched in 1963, the ODI Fellowship Scheme has embedded more than 1,300 young professionals in government agencies, partnering with dozens of institutions, from St. Lucia to the Solomon Islands, Uganda to Uzbekistan. ODI Fellows support their host organisations in progressing government priorities, forging bonds of mutual trust and understanding along the way.
The Fellowship Scheme is a ‘win-win’ form of cooperation.
The continued demand from governments for ODI Fellows, as well as the level of responsibility entrusted to them, is testament to the esteem the fellowship has earned in the 60 years since it was established. Successful candidates are expected to serve for the full two-year contract and be ready to work in any of the scheme’s partner countries.
The aims of the scheme
The Fellowship Scheme provides host governments with highly qualified, early-career economists and statisticians and offers unique work experience to Fellows.
How host institutions benefit from the scheme
1. Responding to country needs
Fellows are part of a government or international organisation and, together with their colleagues, effectively identify the most pressing needs of the host organisation.
2. Tailored solutions
Because Fellows are embedded, they learn the relative strengths of their department and work together with their colleagues to tailor policies, models and ways of working that are practical and in line with the capabilities of the host institution.
3. Transferring skills
Fellows are only placed in host institutions where certain technical skills and thematic knowledge are currently missing. Through close collaboration over a two-year period, colleagues learn important skills and acquire knowledge from Fellows.
How ODI Fellows benefit from the scheme
1. Personal development
Fellows gain valuable experience as civil servants. They learn about their host country, its policy landscape, and public sector service delivery in low- and middle-income countries, as well as the challenges of receiving development assistance from bi- and multilateral donors. They gain new technical skills as they work with colleagues to fill skills gaps. Since it is practical in nature, the fellowship is highly valued by participants and their future employers.
2. International exchange
ODI Fellowships are also an opportunity for international exchange and lesson sharing between civil servants: some ODI Fellows bring experience of another civil service and many more go on to work in large bureaucracies, either at home or in third countries.
3. Future career opportunities
The scheme enjoys an excellent reputation and Fellows benefit from the prestige associated with the scheme. ODI Fellows have gone on to build successful careers in multilateral institutions (World Bank, International Monetary Fund, United Nations), academia, the private sector, non- governmental organisations as well as their own country governments. Many choose to stay on in the country of their fellowship.
Fellowships vary from job to job and country to country, but all require a combination of the following experience and personal qualities.
1. Qualifications
The ODI Fellowship Scheme is 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 are not 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.
2. Intellectual ability
• A sound grasp of economic and statistical theory and the ability to apply that knowledge to real world problems
• Data and information analysis to solve problems
• Clear and concise written and verbal communication, especially translating complex technical ideas to non-specialists
3. Personal qualities
• Resilience and problem-solving to drive change and to work independently
• Interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity and political acumen to succeed within a diverse team, sometimes on politically sensitive topics
• Patience and humility to learn about new contexts and accept advice
• Adaptability and flexibility to navigate resource-constrained environments Management and work-related skills
• Strong organisational skills including prioritisation and delegation of tasks
• Willingness to consult and advocate
• Good time management
• Ability to take initiative and 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.
Documents
Apply for Overseas Development Institute (ODI) Fellowship Scheme