CALL FOR MENTORS: Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC)

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The ECOWAS region is experiencing increasing climate-related human mobility challenges, disproportionately affecting women due to systemic inequalities. Despite their vital roles in resilience-building and adaptation, women are often underrepresented in climate-migration policy frameworks. The Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) aims to empower women leaders from the ECOWAS region with knowledge, tools, and platforms to lead policy dialogues, implement solutions, and build inclusive networks for sustainable, climate-resilient development.

The Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) is implemented by the Women Environmental Programme (WEP) under the GIZ-led Global Programme on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (GP HMCCC) II. The programme is funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented in West Africa in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as the programme’s political partner.

 

About the Fellowship

The Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) is a regional leadership and capacity-strengthening programme designed to empower young women across the ECOWAS region to advance gender-responsive solutions to climate-induced human mobility challenges. It seeks to strengthen women’s participation in climate and migration policy processes, support community-led initiatives, and foster regional collaboration among emerging women leaders.

The Fellowship Programme will recruit dynamic young women leaders from the following ECOWAS Member States: Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone for Anglophone countries; Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, and Togo for Francophone countries; Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau for  Lusophone countries.

Objectives

The objectives of the fellowship are:

• Strengthen women’s leadership and participation in climate mobility governance and policy processes.
• Build the capacity of young women to address climate-induced migration and displacement through gender-responsive approaches.
• Support fellows to design and implement community-based pilot projects that address climate mobility challenges.
• Foster regional collaboration, peer learning, and knowledge exchange among women leaders across the ECOWAS region.
• Increase women’s representation in regional and global climate, migration, and development dialogues.

Duration:

6 Months (July – December 2026)

Format:

Hybrid (Virtual Orientation + In-Person Training + Mentorship)

Fellowship Structure

Phase 1: Recruitment, Orientation & Capacity Building

Selected fellows will participate in a fully funded training workshop covering:

• Climate Mobility in West Africa
• Gender Mainstreaming in Climate and Migration Policy
• Policy Engagement and Advocacy
• Leadership and Community Impact

Training sessions will be delivered by regional experts and mentors, with simultaneous interpretation and bilingual learning materials available in English and French.

Phase 2: Mentorship & Pilot Project Implementation

Individual Mentorship

Each fellow will be matched with an experienced mentor based on thematic interests and language preference. Fellows will receive monthly coaching and technical guidance to support their growth and project implementation.

Pilot Project Grant

Fellows will be eligible to receive a grant ranging from USD 500–1,000 to implement a community-based pilot project or research initiative.

Examples of eligible projects include:

• Gender-responsive climate mobility research and case studies
• Community-led climate resilience initiatives
• Awareness and education campaigns
• Policy advocacy and evidence-generation projects
• Livelihood and capacity-building initiatives for vulnerable groups

Phase 3: Participation in Regional & Global Events

Outstanding fellows may be supported to participate in regional and international policy and advocacy platforms, including climate, migration, and gender-focused events.

Support may include pre-event coaching and preparation, policy brief development support, networking opportunities, Interpretation and language support

Community of Practice & Alumni Network

Following completion of the fellowship, fellows will join a regional Community of Practice and Alumni Network, providing access to:

• Continued peer learning opportunities
• Quarterly knowledge-sharing sessions
• Networking and collaboration opportunities
• Access to relevant regional and global opportunities

Language Support

• All fellowship activities will be conducted bilingually in English and French, with professional interpretation and translated materials provided throughout the programme.

 

Role of Mentors in the Women’s Fellowship on Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC)

Mentors to the Women’s Fellowship on HMCCC are expected to:

• Provide technical guidance and leadership support to fellows throughout the fellowship period.
• Facilitate the orientation and capacity building workshop for the women fellows
• Strengthen fellows’ capacity to develop and implement gender-responsive climate mobility initiatives.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing, networking, and professional growth.
• Support fellows in translating learning into practical action and policy influence.
• Foster regional collaboration and intergenerational leadership within the climate and development sectors.
• Conduct monthly mentoring sessions with assigned fellows.
• Review fellows’ leadership goals and pilot project progress.
• Provide strategic guidance, technical support, and constructive feedback.
• Share relevant resources, opportunities, and networks.
• Support fellows in identifying opportunities for policy engagement, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Contribute insights and expertise to the fellowship’s Community of Practice and Alumni Network through periodic knowledge-sharing engagements and networking activities.
• Conduct approximately six mentoring sessions during the fellowship period.
• Guide fellows in implementing their pilot projects and achieving leadership goals.
• Provide strategic advice and technical expertise relevant to fellows’ thematic areas.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate learning sessions during the in-person training workshop.
• Submit brief periodic feedback reports to WEP.
• Contribute to programme learning, monitoring, and continuous improvement.

Who Should Apply?

We are seeking experienced professionals with demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Climate change policy and climate-induced migration within the ECOWAS region or broader African context.
• Gender mainstreaming in environmental, migration, or development policy.
• Community resilience, climate adaptation, and grassroots advocacy.
• Research, monitoring, and evaluation related to climate change, migration, or development.
• Leadership development, coaching, mentorship, or capacity building for women and young professionals.

Ideal candidates should:

• Have at least Ten (10) years of professional experience in the relevant field.
• Be proficient in English and/or French (bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply).
• Have experience working within the ECOWAS region, with West African civil society, government institutions, academia, or development partners.
• Demonstrate a commitment to gender equality, climate justice, and inclusive development.
• Be available to engage consistently with assigned fellows throughout the fellowship period.

Be available for the 6 months of the fellowship to facilitate hybrid (Virtual Orientation + In-Person Training + Mentorship)

 

Financial Support to Mentors

The following financial support will be provided for the mentors to enable deliver on their roles:

• Flight tickets for Mentors to attend the in-person orientation and capacity building workshop for the fellows.
• Honorarium for facilitating sessions during the orientation and capacity building workshop for the fellows.
• Monthly data allowance to support virtual sessions and support to the fellows.

Application Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be at least 25 years old.
• Have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrate expertise in climate change, migration, gender, development, policy, research, leadership development, or related fields.
• Be proficient in English and/or French.
• Be willing and available to commit to the full fellowship period from June to November 2026.
• Be committed to mentoring and supporting emerging women leaders in West Africa.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following documents as a single compiled file in either Word or PDF format:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting relevant experience in climate, migration, gender, development, research, leadership, or related fields.

2. Expression of Interest (maximum 400 words) describing:

• Motivation to serve as a mentor;
• Relevant thematic expertise;
• Previous mentoring or coaching experience (if applicable); and
• Preferred mentoring language (English or French).

3. Two Professional References (names, positions, organisations, and contact details).

 

Submission Details

Interested candidates should submit their application documents via Fellowship.HMCCC@wepnigeria.net

Email Subject:
HMCCC Mentor Application – [Full Name] – [Country]

e.g.  HMCCC Mentor Application – Grace Mensah – Ghana

Application Deadline

19 July 2026