Application Deadline: 4 September 2023.
Women and youth in 24 countries in Africa are invited to apply to the UNITAR programme Developing Essential Digital Skills for Women and Youth in Africa: Enhancing Employment Opportunities and Livelihood Development in the Digital Economy. Over six months, participants will build high-demand digital skills to increase employment and income-generating potential to develop socially responsible digital start-ups and improve leadership and entrepreneurial skills to drive change and innovation in their communities.
Eligibility Requirements
The programme will prioritize participants from 24 African counties, namely:
Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
In particular, we are looking for women and youth who:
- are keen to learn by doing, with a passion for development and information technologies.
- are between 18 and 35 years old, however, women of all ages, including those over 35, are encouraged to apply, as their unique experiences and skills are valued.
- have good oral and written English communication skills.
- are computer literate and have access to a laptop/internet.
- are interested in leveraging opportunities brought by digital technology.
- are passionate to succeed and make a positive impact on their communities.
- are committed to completing the Programme.
- interested to keep their tech skills up to date or break into a tech career.
- can provide a recommendation letter from an individual with verifiable credentials.
- are (preferably) university graduates and are tech-savvy.
The programme is divided into three phases:
- Phase I – Online Training (September to December 2023): Participants will complete self-paced e-modules on a digital learning platform, join webinars and receive online coaching and mentoring support.
- Phase II – Self-led Projects and Virtual Boot Camp (December 2023 to January 2024): The participants will be selected from Phase I based on their performance including their assignments and presentations. Self-led projects and virtual boot camps will allow participants to apply their skills and knowledge in addressing a development challenge.
- Phase III – Sustainability and Community Leadership Training (February 2024): Participants who reach phase III will receive additional training on community-building and leadership skills and create a strong network of trainers for future cohorts.
Topics Covered
The modules will cover:
- Digital infrastructure & connectivity
- Digital innovation and transformation
- Frontier technologies including AI, big data, robotics, blockchain, IoT, and VR
- Software development
- Cybersecurity & Data protection
- Digital media
- Project management
- Digital Inclusion and the digital Gender divide
- Digital entrepreneurship
- Training of trainers
- Training for coaches
- Leadership and locally-led ecosystem building
A certificate of completion will be issued by UNITAR to all participants who complete the course-related assignments and assessments.
The programme is offered free, thanks to the generous support of the Government and People of Japan.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the UNITAR Developing Essential Digital Skills Programme