Call for applications: AfriMAB GRÓ Land Restoration Fellowships (Africa)

The program offers a six-month annual Icelandic training focused on land restoration and sustainable land management, hosted by the Agricultural University of Iceland.

Ecosystem restoration was a key theme at last year’s 7th African Network of Biosphere Reserves (AfriMAB) General Assembly, reflecting the critical importance of ecosystem restoration across the region as the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) begins.

The first 12 weeks of the training focus on course work (both introductory and professional training), practical training and field trips. During the second 12 weeks of the program, each fellow works on an individual project, which provides expertise based on the academic and practical background and needs of the individual fellow and the workplace. Upon successful completion of the training, fellows receive a postgraduate degree in Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Land Management (30 ECTS) from the Icelandic University of Agriculture.

Cost included

• The GRÓ LRT Fellowship provides a stipend to cover the fellows’ tuition and other study expenses, travel and health insurance costs, and all living expenses for the six months they stay in Iceland.

Qualification criteria

• Candidate’s organization:
  • Applicants will be granted a full six-month study leave to pursue their education in Iceland.
  • The candidate will maintain his/her home country salary and benefits while receiving his/her education in Iceland.
  • Applicants will begin their positions at a partner organization upon returning from completing their training in Iceland.
• The selection criteria for candidates are as follows:
  • Candidates must play a key role in the restoration of the biosphere reserve ecosystem.
  • Applicants must have at least one university degree in a field related to GRÓ LRT’s field of work (e.g. ecology, natural science studies, environmental management/research, etc.).
  • Applicants must have at least one year of working experience in a biosphere reserve in a region related to GRÓ LRT.
  • Applicants must be able to communicate (speak, read and write) in English, as GRÓ LRT’s working language is English.
  • Candidates must be under 40 years of age.

For more information, please visit: UNESCO.