The Tech Fellow will provide hands-on technical and innovative support to strengthen, connect, and sustain the Directorate’s digital assets. The Fellow will structure program data for evidence-based reporting and modernize existing platforms. The role is designed to eliminate fragmented data silos, providing the Directorate with the analytical tools and dashboards necessary for monitoring and implementation. Ultimately, the Fellow will institutionalize digital capacity by piloting automation and early AI use cases.
Requirements
To be considered for the ‘AU Digital and Innovation Fellowship Program’ applicants must meet the following basic criteria to apply:
- Be a citizen of an African Union member state and currently based in Africa
- Be under the age of 35 at the time of application
- Hold a tertiary education degree (bachelor’s degree) or its equivalent
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze complex problems and propose innovative solutions
- Have experience and technical know-how in designing technology products or solutions and experience with the specific technical stack of the AU host department mentioned above
- Be available to dedicate 12 months to the fellowship, including relocation to Addis Ababa
- Be willing and able to travel to participate in induction and delegation workshops
- Be sufficiently proficient in at least one AU official language (Arabic, French, Portuguese, Spanish, or Swahili). Proficiency in English is a strong asset.
The program is committed to equity and ensuring that all perspectives are included in the innovation process. We encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in this field, including women and persons with disabilities.
Qualifications and Experiences
- Core Technical Competencies
- Full-stack Web Development: Strong front-end skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and a modern framework (e.g. React, Vue, Angular, UX/UI Design)
- Back-end development experience using PHP (Laravel), Python, Node.js, or similar
- Solid experience with SQL databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL) and data modelling
- Familiarity with version control systems (Git, GitHub/GitLab)
- Understanding of application security, authentication, and user roles
- Ability to debug, maintain, and improve existing codebases
- System Integration: Experience creating and consuming RESTful APIs. Understanding of interoperability challenges.
- CMS & Web Frameworks: Experience other popular CMS/frameworks.
- ERP/SAP Basics: An understanding of ERP/SAP integration concepts is a major asset.
- Ability to work in a Microsoft-centric environment is desirable
- Professional Experience
- At least 5 years of professional experience in software development, systems integration, or enterprise architecture.
- Experience drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and technical blueprints. You should be able to prove you can leave a project “better documented than you found it.”
- Previous experience leading capacity-building sessions or technical workshops for non-technical staff is highly preferred.
- Other Skills
- Exceptional collaboration and communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical strategies to both technical and non-technical teams.
- Problem-Solving Resilience attitude.
- Change Management Empathy.
If you meet the requirements in terms of criteria, qualifications and experience, you are invited to fill out the online application form by the 1st of March 2026. The application must be filled out completely in English. As part of the application form, please be ready to upload the following documents:
- Your ID or passport
- Proof of residence in Africa
- Your tertiary education degree
- Your curriculum vitae (CV) with contact details of three traceable referees
- All relevant certificates demonstrating your qualifications
All complete and eligible applications will be evaluated. The highest ranked applicants will be invited for a 30-minute interview with representatives from the respective AU department. Interviews will be held from the 16th to the 19th of March. Please note that we offer you one time slot for the interview and rescheduling is only possible in exceptional circumstances.
The results of the selection process will be shared in the last week of March 2026. The selected fellow will then be asked to sign a fellowship agreement with enpact, as well as a secondment contract with the AU. The fellowship will begin on April 1st 2026.
Download the full job details & requirements (0.15 MB PDF)
About the program
The African Union (AU) Digital & Innovation Fellowship is a 12-month immersive program that empowers Africa’s brightest digital innovators to work from within AU institutions and create long-term value.
Through a structured placement within the AU system, fellows receive tailored capacity building, professional development, international exposure, and financial support throughout the duration of the program.
The purpose is to co-develop data-driven and technology-enabled solutions with AU staff, based on identified challenges and technological gaps, to strengthen governance, public service delivery, and institutional capacity across the AU institutions.
The AU Digital & Innovation Fellowship 2026/2027 is developed and hosted by the African Union and is implemented by enpact with the support of the GIZ DataCipation program, which is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
About the department
The Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD) is responsible for leading, guiding, defending and coordinating the AU’s efforts on gender equality, development and promoting women’s and youth’s empowerment. The Directorate designs programmes and projects based on the policies and frameworks adopted by AU Member States. It also oversees the development and harmonization of gender and youth policies; defines strategies for gender and youth mainstreaming within the Commission, AU organs and Member States; and supports capacity building by providing training on gender and youth policies and instruments.
Additionally, the Directorate houses the AU Innovation Lab, a strategic hub and co-creative space designed to drive youth-centric innovation, consolidate Africa-centric solutions, and facilitate multi-stakeholder partnerships that accelerate the empowerment of young Africans through implementable policies and digital transformation initiatives.
About us
The non-profit organization enpact was founded in 2013 with the goal of empowering entrepreneurship in the context of international economic cooperation.
We work with entrepreneurs and business support organizations (BSOs) across all development stages.
Our approach is designed to facilitate quick and efficient access to the crucial resources needed for the sustainable growth of any business: financial support, training, mentoring, and network development. Through a variety of support projects built on this approach, we work with entrepreneurs and business support organizations (BSOs) in Africa, Asia, East Europe, Western Balkans and Latin America.
The goal is to create a global network of founders and ecosystem enablers to exchange knowledge, combine resources and collaborate to solve global challenges.
enpact is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, with regional offices in Egypt and representation in Moldova.
At present, enpact’s network consists of more than 3,200 businesses supported, 1,100 mentors and experts, and 200 partner organizations in over 30 countries. Over 15,000 jobs have been created or preserved as a direct result of 40 projects implemented by enpact.