Mid-career public health professionals working in government operate in a demanding and changing climate. They must initiate policies, hold healthcare providers accountable, and build partnerships across a vast array of communities and stakeholders. The International Program in Public Health Leadership (IPPHL) teaches participants the skills of analysis, leadership, communication, and persuasion that enable them to advance population health in this increasingly complex, resource-constrained environment.

IPPHL is a non-degree eight-month program for emerging leaders working in or in direct partnership with African Ministries of Health. The program offers a strong focus on individual coaching and mentoring, peer sharing and learning, and the development of a community of practice to give participants access to a wider network helping them address the policy and program implementation challenges they face. The Evans School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Washington, in collaboration with the Center for Creative Leadership, provide internationally recognized expertise in a variety of critical fields including: theory of organizational management and change, policy formation and negotiation, communication, and leadership.

Since 2017, 192 public health professionals across 33 African countries have completed the program. IPPHL is fully funded by the Gates Foundation.

This is a non-degree program. Graduates of the program receive a certificate of program completion.

Candidate Profile

• Mid-career public health professional from Africa, working in government, for a government initiative/partner, or government entity at the federal, regional, state, or provincial level in Africa
• Responsible for development of health policies and/or managing public health program(s) with supervisory responsibilities, either individual staff or a team; 
• Accountable for the performance of public health programs and/or for managing front-line health workers 
• Holds a degree related to public health or medicine
• A citizen and resident of a country in Africa
• Strong English-language skills, and the ability to articulate the various policy or program implementation challenges that they deal with in public health

Language Requirements

The program is currently conducted almost exclusively in English, with some light language support including offering executive coaching in multiple languages and translation of select program materials. While we are working on greater language accessibility, for now, we require that all incoming fellows have a command of English that will allow them to fully participate in the program. This includes engaging in discussions, following fast-paced and complex session content, completing written and reading assignments, and participating in advising sessions. Throughout the program, the IPPHL team is available to support fellows in their program journey as best as possible, and we welcome feedback on how to make the program easier to navigate.

Travel & Visa

Our 2026 in-person Leadership Immersion and Capstone programming will be held in Africa, with locations to be announced to the Cohort at the start of program. Fellows will be required to travel to attend both in-person components of the program. IPPHL will arrange and cover costs of travel and visas required for program attendance.

Technology Requirements

If admitted, participants must have access to a reliable device such as a desktop computer or laptop. Live course sessions, which are roughly three hours per week during the Policy Intensive, require stable internet, a webcam, speakers, and microphone. We understand the quality and availability of internet is not always certain and that this may affect participation in some sessions.

If accepted, you will be required to attend all live virtual and in-person components of the program including completing prep work for the session. See estimated time(s) below:

• Orientation (February 10-12, 2026) – three (3) virtual live sessions: Introduction to the IPPHL program and your cohort, the policy project, executive leadership coaches, and the global IPPHL Network.
• Independent Policy Prep (March 3-27, 2026) – self-paced online preparation for sessions and policy project.
• Policy Intensive (April 7 – May 21, 2026) – Fourteen (14) virtual live sessions: An average of 5-7 hours per week on programmatic assignments, such as reading case studies and articles, completing self-assessments, meeting with their executive coach and faculty advisor, and participating in the live online sessions.
• Leadership Immersion (June 10-27, 2026) – TBD, Africa: 2.5 weeks of in-person experiential learning, workshopping, networking, and individual leadership development. Full attendance is required.
• Launch & Learn (July 6 – August 21, 2026) – independent policy project work; three (3) virtual session touchpoints: Fellows begin applying the leadership, implementation, and policy frameworks in their places of work. The cohort convenes for three 90-minute sessions to check-in on progress with colleagues. Fellows finalize their written policy projects during these six weeks.
• Capstone Seminar (September 1-4, 2026) – TBD, Africa: The cohort convenes in-person for the final after-action to assess progress and strategize how to move projects, agendas, and teams forward. Full attendance across all days is required.

Throughout your time in the program, you will complete a policy project that focusses on an implementation or policy challenge you are facing in your work. You will be paired with a faculty advisor who will support you in the development of your project and you will be asked to meet with your advisor for regular feedback.

You will also be paired with an executive coach from the Center for Creative Leadership for your leadership journey, identifying a personalized plan for continued leadership growth and development. You will be asked to complete a “360-evaluation” and other leadership style assessments, which will inform your understanding of your leadership strengths and growth areas. The 360-evaluation will involve soliciting feedback from your boss, peers, direct reports, and others.

Application Deadline: 5 August 2025

Click Here To Apply

Kindly join our Telegram and WhatsApp groups, to get updates on new opportunities. Please also follow us on Instagram, like and follow us on Facebook