Deadline: September 18, 2025
Are you a mid-career woman working in health across Southern Africa, ready to take your leadership to the next level? The WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey 2026 is now open for applications. This fully funded 12-month leadership development programme is designed to equip women in health with the tools, mentorship, and global networks needed to drive transformative change in public and global health.
About the Programme
The WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey 2026 is a 12-month fully-funded hybrid programme combining immersive learning, virtual modules, one-on-one coaching, mentorship, and project-based training. Participants will engage in:
- Monthly virtual touchpoints with leadership experts.
- Peer, group, and individual mentoring for personal and professional growth.
- Two in-person residencies:
- Immersion Residency: 26–28 May 2026
- Lift-Off Residency: 17–18 February 2027
At the heart of the programme is the Health Leadership Project (HLP)—a practical, high-impact initiative that each participant develops to address real challenges in health systems or communities.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 18 September 2026, 11:59 pm CAT
- Notification of Selection: January 2026
- Onboarding & Pre-Orientation: February 2026
- Programme Duration: March 2026 – February 2027
- Orientation Week Launch: Week of 4 March 2026
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Identify as a woman.
- Be mid-career with 10–25 years of professional experience.
- Citizen, residing and working in one of the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, eSwatini, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.
- Actively engaged in public health policy, practice, or research at the national or regional level.
- Possess fluent written and spoken English.
- Be based in the Central Africa Time (CAT) zone (±1 hour) for at least 75% of the programme to ensure live participation.
Benefits of Participation
Selected participants will enjoy:
- Full funding: The programme covers tuition, travel, accommodation, and meals during residencies.
- Mentorship & Coaching: Gain guidance from accomplished leaders in health and policy.
- Networking Opportunities: Build a lifelong peer network of women leaders across Southern Africa and beyond.
- Health Leadership Project: Design and implement a project that strengthens your leadership journey while making tangible impact.
- Global Alumni Network: Join a community that continues to collaborate and advocate for women’s leadership after the programme.
Application Requirements
Applicants will need to submit:
- A CV or résumé.
- A letter of recommendation.
- An initial outline of the proposed Health Leadership Project, highlighting goals, strategies, and expected outcomes.
Programme at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | 12-month, fully funded, hybrid (virtual + in-person) |
| Deadline | 18 September 2026 |
| Duration | March 2026 – February 2027 |
| In-Person Dates | Immersion: 26–28 May 2026 Lift-Off: 17–18 Feb 2027 |
| Target Group | Mid-career women in public/global health from 10 Southern African countries |
| Coverage | Fully funded (travel + lodging included) |
| Core Component | Health Leadership Project (HLP) |
| Language | English |
| Residency Zone | CAT (±1 hour) |
Final Thoughts
The WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey 2026 offers a rare and transformative opportunity for mid-career women in health to strengthen their leadership, expand their networks, and drive impact across Southern Africa. If you are passionate about advancing public health and ready to take on leadership challenges, this is your chance.
👉 Apply Now
👉 Read More About the Programme
📌 For professional support with proposal drafting, refining, and review, contact us for proposal drafting, refinning and review.
