WomenLift Health 2027 Southern Africa Signature Leadership Journey

WomenLift Health’s 2027 Southern Africa Signature Leadership Journey is a fully funded, 12-month program for mid-career women leaders in health++ who are committed to deepening their leadership impact.

What it offers

• Cost: Free (all program costs, including travel and lodging, are covered)
• Duration: February 2026 – March 2027
• Format: Hybrid (virtual and in-person elements)
• Effort: Approximately 4–8 hours each month
• Total learning hours: Approximately 87 hours (including all touchpoints and work on a Health Leadership Project)
• In-person residencies: Three-day Immersion (13–16 April 2027, with travel days 12 and 17 April) and two-day Lift-Off (14–15 March 2028, with travel days 13 and 16 March)
• Location: In-person residencies will be in Southern Africa (exact location communicated closer to the event)
• Supports: Mentoring, coaching, assessments, regular virtual learning touchpoints, and in-person experiences

Who can apply

• Identify as a woman
• Demonstrate fluency and confidence in both written and verbal English communication
• Be a citizen who resides and works in: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, eSwatini, Zambia, or Zimbabwe
• Live in CAT (+/-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 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 lifelong network of allies at local, regional, and global levels

How to apply

• Include a letter of recommendation from your supervisor (or a senior leader at your organization or in the health community if unable to obtain one from your direct supervisor)
• The letter should address your leadership contributions, personal qualities, and how the Journey will enhance your leadership knowledge and skills
• Upload and submit your letter of recommendation as part of your application by the deadline
• Applications are open now and close on 18 September 2026 at 11:59pm CAT

Good to know

• The program selects 35 women leaders in health++ working in Southern Africa
• Accepting a place means committing to fully participate in all mandatory sessions
• The program is designed to be fully present and engaged, with a focus on work-life harmony