Capacity Building - Financing Alliance for Health

HSFA Fellowship Program

This program is a 9-month-long FAH initiative aimed at equipping Ministry of Health personnel with essential skills in health systems strengthening, leadership, governance, and health financing.

The program structure

Chapter 0: Fellowship beginnings

November- January

Each year, 14 fellows are selected from a competitive pool and take part in a structured onboarding process that prepares them for a nine-month journey of cross-country learning, project implementation, and performance-based engagement.

Chapter 1: Building Foundations

February - March

The fellowship begins with an online course followed by a two-week bootcamp in Nairobi, equipping fellows with practical skills in health financing, PHC, SRH, gender integration, and leadership.

Chapter 2: Navigating the landscape

April - May

Through targeted mentorship and a structured approach, fellows identify critical health systems gaps. They then develop actionable projects that address these gaps in ways that align with the objectives of the fellowship and their Ministries of Health.

Chapter 3: Fieldwork

May - July

With approved concept notes, fellows apply their learning to real-world health system challenges through mentored, funded projects, stakeholder engagement, and measurable, impact-driven implementation.

Chapter 4:Cross-country learning

August - September

Delivered via webinars, virtual check-ins, peer learning circles, mentorship sessions, and in-country visits, this phase broaden the fellows' perspectives by introducing them to diverse experiences, practices, and challenges across different health contexts, fostering an environment of south-to-south learning and support.

Chapter 5: Graduation

October

The Fellowship Program culminates in a week-long Graduation Conference in Kenya, where fellows showcase their projects, engage in advanced leadership and public image training, and are formally recognized for their contributions to health systems strengthening across Africa.

Hear from previous fellows!

"Over the last few months, working very closely with FAH mentors to champion a policy reform in the ministry of health has provided a platform to build my capacity in leadership, planning and research. I am grateful to FAH for this amazing opportunity to learn and shape health policy in Sierra Leone”

Mohammed Sheku Marah M&E Lead, Directorate of Primary healthcare, Sierra Leone

"Working with FAH through the Fellowship program has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Their guidance and support have strengthened our monitoring and evaluation practices, leading to more accurate assessments and better-informed decision-making. The program has been instrumental in building my expertise in developing policy briefs that utilise data for policy advocacy and resource mobilization”

Mr. Beron NsongaSenior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, MoH Zambia

"The highlight of the bootcamp was undoubtedly the Makueni County immersion visit. This visit provided a personal and tangible understanding of how these promoters are bridging the gap between households and the broader primary health system.Through this immersive experience, the fellows gained valuable insights into the practical implementation of community health initiatives, including strategies to enhance accessibility, equity, and efficiency in delivering care.”

Dr Stephen MwathaDirector of Preventive and Promotive Services, Makueni County-Kenya

What makes FAH's fellowship program unique?

All program materials and sessions are delivered in both French and English.

Bilingual program

Practical education

Each fellow leads a reform initiative, gaining hands-on experience and practical skills.

One-to-one mentorship

Each fellow receives personalized one-on-one mentorship from top health financing and policy experts in Africa.

The fellows directory

Dr. Kalangwa Kalangwa

Assistant Director, Health Promotion and Community Health

Zambia

Enhancing National Health Insurance Scheme integration and utilization among Community Based Volunteers in Zambia.

Beron Nsonga

Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer,Ministry of Health

Zambia

A data-driven approach to reduce maternal mortalities in Zambia- Retrospective Cross-sectional Analysis of the provincial disparities in maternal mortality between 2018 to 2023.