WomenLift Health 2027 East Africa Signature Leadership Journey Program

WomenLift Health’s 2027 Eastern Africa Signature Leadership Journey is a fully funded, 12-month hybrid program for mid-career women leaders working in health++ fields across Eastern Africa. The program combines virtual and in-person learning, mentoring, coaching, and a self-directed project to build leadership capacity and influence in global health.

What it offers

• Program duration: March 2027–February 2028
• Format: Hybrid (virtual touchpoints and two in-person residencies)
• Cost: Free (all program costs, including travel and lodging, are covered)
• Effort: Approximately 4–8 hours each month
• Total learning hours: Approximately 87 hours
• In-person residencies:
  • Immersion: May 25–27, 2027 (travel days May 24 and May 28)
  • Lift-Off: February 8–10, 2028 (travel days February 7 and February 11)
• Location: To be communicated to selected participants
• Benefits: Mentoring, coaching, assessments, virtual learning touchpoints, in-person experiences, and a lifelong network of allies

Who can apply

• Identify as a woman
• Demonstrate fluency and confidence in written and verbal English communication
• Be a citizen who resides and works in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, or Burundi
• Live in EAT (+/-1 hour) time zones for at least 75% of the program
• Be a mid-career leader with 10–25 years of work experience in health++
• Health++ includes interconnected fields such as climate change, food systems, agriculture, water and sanitation, education, economic policy, gender equity, and technology

What you'll do

• Participate in two in-person experiential learning residencies (Immersion and Lift-Off)
• Engage in virtual learning touchpoints, virtual group mentoring, and virtual one-on-one coaching sessions
• Complete a self-directed Health Leadership Project
• Join a diverse cohort of up to 35 women leaders in health++
• Be part of a lifelong network of allies at local, regional, and global levels

How to apply

• Upload and submit a letter of recommendation from your supervisor or a senior leader in your organization or health community
• The letter should address your leadership capacity, personal qualities, and how the program will enhance your leadership skills
• Submit your application by 11:59pm EAT, September 17

Good to know

• The program is highly competitive, with hundreds of applications received annually and only 30–35 women selected per cohort
• Accepting a place means committing to full participation in all touchpoints and residencies
• The program is designed to be fully present and engaged, with a focus on work-life harmony
• For questions about eligibility, contact eastafricajourney@womenlifthealth.org