The Kofi Annan Scholars Program is a fully funded volunteer placement under the African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC) initiative of Africa CDC. It places experienced public health and technical experts in time-limited assignments within national health institutions across African Union member states to strengthen systems during disease outbreaks and emergencies. The Financial Specialist role focuses on building sustainable financial governance frameworks for National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs).
The Africa CDC, established by the African Union, is a specialized technical institution that supports Member States in their efforts to strengthen health systems and improve surveillance, emergency response, and prevention of diseases. The Kofi Annan Scholars Program is a flagship initiative launched in partnership with the Kofi Annan Foundation to develop transformational public health leadership across the continent.
Kofi Annan Scholars Program Benefits
- Economic class round-trip tickets and other travel related expenses
- Health insurance during the deployment period
- Stipend, communications, incidentals and risk allowance
- Accommodation allowance in case of deployment outside of the city of residence
- Certificate of recognition of your contribution at the end of deployment
- AVoHC membership professional development including trainings and mentorship
- Be deployed at the request of member states to build the capacity of national institutions
Kofi Annan Scholars Program Eligibility Criteria
- Be citizens of African Union member states or the African diaspora
- Hold a master’s or doctoral degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related fields
- Professional certification (CPA, ACCA, CFA) is an advantage
- Have at least 7 years of relevant experience in financial management, auditing, or policy development
- Demonstrate knowledge of public financial management systems in Africa
- Possess strong communication, technical writing, and stakeholder engagement skills
- Be able to work under pressure and deploy at short notice
- Fluency in at least one AU working language (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, or Swahili)
Which Countries Are Eligible?
- All AU Member States and the African Diaspora.
- Special encouragement for candidates from less represented AU countries (e.g., Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Eritrea, Guinea‑Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Tunisia, etc.).
Required Documents
- Completed AU CV (mandatory template).
- Curriculum Vitae.
- African passport.
- Academic qualifications (diplomas, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees).
- Relevant professional certificates.
How to Apply for Kofi Annan Scholars Program?
- Download and complete the AU CV template (English/French)
- Prepare required documents including CV, African passport, and academic qualifications
- Submit an online application before 3 August 2026 (11:59 PM EAT)
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Kofi Annan Scholars Program. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply for this fully funded volunteer placement with Africa CDC.
What is the Kofi Annan Scholars Program?
The Kofi Annan Scholars Program is a fully funded volunteer placement under the African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC) initiative of Africa CDC. It places experienced public health and technical experts in time-limited assignments within national health institutions across African Union member states to strengthen systems during disease outbreaks and emergencies.
Who can apply for the Financial Specialist position?
Applicants must be citizens of African Union member states or the African diaspora, hold a master’s or doctoral degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or related fields, have at least 7 years of relevant experience, and be fluent in at least one AU working language.
What is the deadline for applications?
The deadline for applications is 3 August 2026, 11:59 PM EAT. Applications must be submitted online through the African Union application system before this date.
Is the Kofi Annan Scholars Program fully funded?
Yes, the program is fully funded. Deployed experts receive economic class round-trip tickets, health insurance, a stipend, communications allowance, incidentals, risk allowance, accommodation allowance if deployed outside their city of residence, and a certificate of recognition.
What are the main responsibilities of a Financial Specialist?
The Financial Specialist will conduct assessments of existing financial policies, develop comprehensive financial management manuals, ensure compliance with regulations, work with finance teams to strengthen budgeting and auditing procedures, provide training, establish internal controls, and advise senior leadership on financial sustainability.
How long is the deployment?
Deployments are on-call and time-limited, determined by Africa CDC and host Member States. The Kofi Annan Scholars – AVoHC Team Members will be deployed based on requests from member states.
What documents are required for the application?
Applicants must submit a completed AU CV template (mandatory), a curriculum vitae, an African passport, and academic qualifications including diplomas, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, as well as any relevant professional certificates.
How are candidates selected?
Selection is based on academic qualifications and professional certifications, experience in financial systems and compliance frameworks, ability to strengthen budgeting and auditing procedures, capacity to train financial teams, and commitment to Africa CDC’s values of equity, accountability, and transparency.
How many positions are available?
There are 20 Financial Specialist positions available under the Kofi Annan Scholars Program.
Where will the program take place?
Deployments will take place across African Union Member States, based on requests from governments. The location is determined for each deployment.
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