WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey 2027: Fully-Funded Leadership Development

Applications are now open for the WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey 2027. This 12-month, fully-funded program is designed for talented women leaders in the health sector across Southern Africa. It aims to provide a supportive environment for participants to develop their leadership skills, build a strong network, and enhance their influence.

Application Closing Date: September 18, 2026

Location: Southern Africa (specific locations for residencies to be confirmed)

Programme Duration: 12 months

Stipend: Not specified (program costs, including travel and lodging, are covered)

Minimum Qualification: Mid-career leader with 10-25 years of work experience in Health++

Opportunity Type: Leadership Development Programme

About the WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey

The WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey is a comprehensive program focused on empowering women leaders within the health field. It offers a unique space for participants to explore their leadership styles through vulnerability and reflection. The program emphasizes building an inclusive and diverse network that fosters a strong sense of belonging among participants.

Participants will gain access to tools and strategies designed to enhance their voice, presence, and influence. This development is supported by a community of peers, mentors, and coaches. The journey is structured to provide contextualized frameworks and tools to tackle the challenges faced by women leaders in global health, addressing individual, institutional, and sector-wide issues.

The program includes two in-person experiential learning residencies: Immersion and Lift-Off. These are complemented by virtual learning touchpoints, group mentoring sessions, and one-on-one coaching. A key component is the self-directed Health Leadership Project, where participants apply their learning to real-world challenges with community and expert support.

About WomenLift Health

WomenLift Health is an organization dedicated to advancing women’s leadership in the health sector. They believe that sustainable improvements in health outcomes require strong, capable leadership from women who understand the complexities of the field. The organization works to create opportunities for women to grow their skills, expand their networks, and increase their impact.

Their approach focuses on providing tailored support and resources to women leaders. By fostering environments that encourage reflection, collaboration, and skill development, WomenLift Health aims to strengthen the health systems and communities these leaders serve. They are committed to diversity and inclusion, seeking to represent a wide range of sectors, disciplines, and backgrounds within their programs.

Available Leadership Opportunities

This program focuses on leadership development within the broader health sector. While not listing specific job roles, it targets mid-career women leaders who are making significant contributions to health. The program aims to equip these leaders with advanced skills to tackle complex health challenges.

The definition of Health++ includes fields that are interconnected with health outcomes. This means leaders from areas such as climate change, food systems, agriculture, water and sanitation, education, economic policy, gender equity, and technology are encouraged to apply if their work significantly impacts health.

What the Leadership Journey Offers

Successful applicants will benefit from a rich learning experience designed for professional growth. The program is fully funded, covering all associated costs. This includes travel and lodging for the in-person residencies, removing financial barriers to participation.

Participants will gain practical leadership skills and strategies applicable to their current roles and future career paths. They will develop a strong network of peers, mentors, and coaches within the health sector. The program also provides opportunities for self-reflection and personal leadership development.

The journey includes structured training through residencies and virtual sessions. Participants will work on a self-directed Health Leadership Project, applying learned concepts to address specific health challenges. This hands-on experience is invaluable for career advancement and impact.

Programme Duration and Location

The WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey spans 12 months. The program includes two significant in-person residencies. The Immersion residency is a three-day event, scheduled from April 13-16, 2027, with travel days on April 12 and April 17, 2027.

The second in-person event is the two-day Lift-Off residency, taking place from March 14-15, 2028. Travel days for Lift-Off are March 13 and March 16, 2028. The specific locations for these residencies will be within Southern Africa and will be communicated to selected cohort members closer to the event dates.

Minimum Requirements

To be eligible for the WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Identify as a woman.
• Demonstrate fluency and confidence in written and verbal English communication. This includes the ability to articulate emotions, engage in reflective dialogue, and discuss complex interpersonal conversations.
• Be a citizen who resides and works within one of the following countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, eSwatini, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.
• Live within the Central Africa Time (CAT) zone, or a zone within one hour of CAT, for at least 75% of the program duration. This is to ensure participation in scheduled touchpoints and engagement with peers.
• Be a mid-career leader with 10 to 25 years of work experience in Health++. Health++ recognizes that health improvements depend on actions across interconnected fields like climate change, food systems, agriculture, water and sanitation, education, economic policy, gender equity, and technology.

Competencies Required

The program seeks leaders who can actively participate and benefit from a collaborative learning environment. Key competencies include:

• Strong communication skills, particularly in English, for articulate expression and reflective dialogue.
• The ability to engage in complex interpersonal conversations and contribute to group discussions.
• A willingness to explore personal leadership through vulnerability and reflection.
• An openness to learning and integrating new leadership development concepts.
• The capacity to work effectively within a diverse cohort and build a strong network.
• Commitment to advancing health outcomes through leadership and collaborative action.

Who Should Apply?

This leadership journey is ideal for mid-career women who are already making a significant impact in the health sector or related fields across Southern Africa. If you are a woman with 10 to 25 years of experience and are looking to deepen your leadership capabilities, expand your professional network, and gain new strategies to address health challenges, this program is for you.

It is particularly suited for those who are passionate about health equity and understand the interconnectedness of various sectors in achieving health goals. If you are ready to engage in self-reflection, contribute to a diverse cohort, and take your leadership to the next level, your application is encouraged.

Required Documents

While specific documents are not detailed in the announcement, applicants should be prepared to provide standard application materials. It is advisable to have the following ready:

• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing your work experience and achievements.
• Proof of citizenship and residency in one of the eligible Southern African countries.
• Documentation or a clear description of your work experience in the health sector or related Health++ fields.
• A statement or essay detailing your leadership aspirations and how this program aligns with your goals.
• Any other documents requested on the official application portal.

Applicants should check the official application link for a precise list of required documents.

How to Apply

Interested and eligible women leaders can apply for the WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey 2027 through the official application portal.

Click here to apply for the WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey 2027.

Before submitting your application, ensure you have carefully reviewed all eligibility criteria and prepared all necessary documents. Complete the online application form accurately and thoroughly. Double-check all personal details and information provided to avoid errors. Submit your application well before the closing date of September 18, 2026.

Important Notes

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection processes. Late applications will not be considered, so ensure your submission is made before the September 18, 2026 deadline. Applicants must meet all the minimum requirements to be eligible for consideration. Incomplete applications may be disqualified.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications for the WomenLift Health Southern Africa Leadership Journey 2027 is September 18, 2026.

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