JOB OPPORTUNITY FOR COUNTRY FORA COMMUNICATION, INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT (KM) FACILITATORS

African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) is a Continental body that brings National Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) under one umbrella. Its mission is to promote lesson learning and add value to initiatives in agricultural advisory services through sharing of information and increased professional interaction, and its goal is to enhance utilization of improved knowledge and innovations by agricultural value chain actors for improving productivity oriented towards their individual and national development objectives. Currently AFAAS is active in 17 countries. In each of these countries it works through Country Fora (CF) that bring together diverse public and private sector individuals and organizations operating at different levels of the national agricultural innovation systems. These include farmers/ farmers’ organisations, agricultural advisory service providers, policy makers, and the whole range of actors who support value chains. The CF provide all these actors a space to share their experiences, exchange information, providing services to each other and identify opportunities for AEAS-related innovations in their domains of work. AFAAS builds the institutional mechanisms for this to happen.

In the countries where such mechanisms have taken root, AFAAS has embarked on facilitating them to undertake communication, information and knowledge management (CIKM) as a service to the members. The KM activities focus on facilitating and building capacity for: (i) communication and engagement between members, (ii) generation of content that can be shared between members, (iii) adoption of tools and platforms for engagement/communication and content generation, (iv) network sustainability, and (v) governance to ensure that the CF is credible as a knowledge network. The AFAAS Secretariat has put in place mechanisms to support the activities. These include a website, a virtual social networking platform (VSNP) and presence on various social media platforms to support web-based KM. It also supports non-web based KM activities in the CF such as production of newsletters, workshops, conferences and marketplaces for information and services.

AFAAS through the CFs is soliciting services of CIKM Facilitators to help CFs undertake Knowledge management activities at the national, facilitate interactions among stakeholders, and between CFs and AFAAS Secretariat.

II-                  OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of the assignment is to support the Cameroon Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (CAMFAAS)'s Secretariats in Cameroon and members to undertake KM activities that contribute to the AFAAS mission and goal.

III-                SCOPE OF WORK

1        CF Knowledge Network Governance

a.    Sensitise CF members on the terms and conditions for governance of the CF as a knowledge network;

b.    Ensure tat all CF content that goes out (to the CF network, the general AFAAS network and the public) is appropriately certified through the CF quality assurance mechanisms; 

2        Communication and Engagement

1. Sensitise members of the CF on the website and VSNP as means for communication and engagement;
2. Manage the CAMFAAS pages on the website and the VSNP;
3. Continuously identify areas for improvements and refinements for the website and VSNP and bring these to the attention of the Communication, Information and Knowledge Management Officer at the AFAAS Secretariat;
4. Conceptualize and manage the CFs Social media channels;
5. Support the CF Secretariat in carrying out visibility activities at national level and developing publicity information and materials;
6. Develop a system for managing and sharing information among CFs key stakeholders who include, the Board, implementing partners and development partners;

3        Content Development and management

a.    Identify, collect, collate and curate the information content that CF members have for sharing;

b.    Support the CF Secretariat in managing the processes for enhancing content generation and sharing by the members;

4        Tools and Platforms

a.    Identify the CF members’ needs for tools and platforms that can enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in delivery of services to their clients;

b.    Continuously sensitise the CF secretariat and members on the new tools and platforms and how they can be accessed;

5        Sustainability

a.    Participate in conceptualising, planning and implementing marketplaces through which the CF can generate revenue from the services it provides to members

IV-               DELIVERABLES

1. High rating of the CAMFAAS as a credible knowledge network by members and external stakeholders;
2. Enhanced communication, engagement and interactions of CF members online (AFAAS website, VSNP, social media, etc) and offline (workshops, newsletters, conferences, marketplaces, etc);
3. Enhanced generation and sharing of content by CF members;  
4. Enhanced awareness and adoption of tools and platforms for increasing effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery by CF members;
5. Increase in revenue generated by the CF through the services it provides to members;
6. Increased visibility of the CF at national level and beyond;

V-                 LIAISON AND REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The KM Facilitators will work under the supervision of the CF Focal Persons and report to AFAAS Communications, Information and Knowledge Management Officer.

VI-               WORK STATION

The KM Facilitators shall be based at the CFs Secretariat.

VII-             REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The CIKM Facilitator (individual or organisation) shall be a member or a potential member of the CF with a good understanding of the CF and AFAAS objectives. The required qualifications of the person(s) to undertake the work are:

          i            A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to Journalism, Public relations, Communication, or Knowledge management.

        ii            Excellent communication skills;

      iii            A track record - spanning at least three years - that shows ability to manage/ use internet-based KM processes/ tools;

       iv            A background in working in agriculture and/or rural development contexts would be an advantage;

VIII-           DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The assignment shall run for one year from the starting date.

IX-               Submission procedures

Interested candidate (individual or organization) must submit the following document in English or French:

-          An update CV duly signed by the applicant,

-          Passport size photograph

-          Technical and financial proposition (description of methodology and salaries expectation) no more than three pages

-          All these must be submitted to camfaas.cmr@gmail.com with copy to ngouambe@gmail.com  with subject line “ICKM Officer for CAMFAAS”

-          All application must be submitted no later than March 13^th at 23:59 (Cameroon time zone).

-          For further information email to ngouambe@gmail.com or call 00237 679717809/222311289/677624121

JOBS Opportunities

1:  Senior Scientist-Legume/Cereal Pathology (West and Central Africa)

The Job:

• Plan and execute research on regionally important diseases of cereals (sorghum and pearl millet) and legumes (groundnut) to address the knowledge gaps in epidemiology, pathogenic variability, host plant resistance and alternative disease management strategies.
• Develop disease management strategies
• Work with crop improvement scientists to develop improved cultivars with resistance to major disease in the region Organize and conduct multi-location disease nurseries.
• Organize and conduct on-farm trials and training to partner scientists and extension workers on integrated disease management.
• Analyze, summarize and interpret the data of the experiments conducted in laboratory, greenhouse and on station and on-farm trials.
• Prepare reports and research papers for publication in the reputed journals.
• Develop project proposal for donor funding.

 Learn more and apply

 2: Managing Editor (closing date, 13 July 2014)

Responsibilities

• Lead in developing and monitoring the editorial strategy for the Institute to ensure quality and standards appropriate for all outputs.
• Lead in developing and monitoring the production strategy for all the Institute’s outputs and ensure consistency of style, production quality and suitability for audiences.
• Work closely with researchers to synthesise research outputs through high quality writing and editing into a variety of formats designed to communicate to multiple audiences – from policy briefings to short reports, backgrounders and booklets.
• Coordinate maintenance of a style guide for ILRI written material.
• As required, build communications skills internally and to share internally and externally what we learn about research communications in the course of our work.
• Line manage the Publishing Services Manager and help them to develop production systems and processes as required.
• Participate in Institute-wide and strategic meetings as appropriate.
• Act as a mentor and coach to Communications and KM staff, especially those with writing and editorial roles.
• Maintain and manage a cadre of excellent freelance writers, designers, editors, translators and proof-readers for both print and digital products.
• Contribute to the ILRI-wide communications and KM community of practice and leadership group, sharing and communicating work updates and lessons, participate in CKM learning, reviewing and planning activities and ensure that these activities follow ILRI standards and agreed channels.
• Contribute to ILRI’s communications and knowledge management team working on ‘knowledge, publishing and curation

Learn More

 

3:Project Leader/ Senior Scientist

Key Responsibilities:

WorldFish, Bangladesh and South Asia is hiring an Intermediate Results (IR) 3 Scientist for a 5-year, $15 million dollar project funded by USAID called ‘ECOFISH’ in order to meet its vision: “Be the research partner of choice, delivering high impact, transformative and equitable fisheries and aquaculture solutions to reduce poverty and malnutrition in Bangladesh and South Asia”. The key objective of the ECOFISH project is to improve the resilience of estuarine ecosystem and livelihoods of communities reliant on the Hilsha fishery.

Read more an Apply now

INTERNATIONAL INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT FOR REGIONAL AGRIBUSINESS VALUE CHAIN PROJECTS EVALUATION AND KNOWLEDGE GENERATION WORK

Background

In November 2010, UNDP launched a new regional project, “Private Sector and Inclusive Market Development for Poverty Reduction in Africa: African Facility for Inclusive Markets (AFIM)”, to more strongly address private sector development and engagement issues in Africa in support of accelerated achievement of the MDGs. AFIM’s particular focus is on the promotion of Inclusive Market Development (IMD) in Africa through the development and expansion of regional value chains in job creating sectors such as agribusiness, tourism, renewable energy, retailing and mining. Currently, AFIM’s focus of IMD is centred on agribusiness. Applications and concepts shortlisted were referred to the respective project facilitation platforms (PFPs) for a peer review and selection mechanism. Under these PFPs, constructive criticism and improvements to the selected project frameworks were undertaken by respective stakeholders from the different countries where the projects were to be implemented. The Project Facilitation Platforms (PFPs) were conceived as fora for the participatory peer review and selection of specific regional agricultural value chains that promote private sector driven inclusive business models that transcend beyond national borders.  AFIM moderated three PFPs in the EAC, ECOWAS and COMESA regions where shortlisted regional projects were deliberated upon and their project concepts improved upon by respective sector stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

AFIM now requires an individual consultant to (1) evaluate the results of the 6 regional value chain projects supported through MCG, (2) prepare a report on key lessons learnt from the MCGs as a catalytic mechanism to foster income generation and poverty reduction at the level of value chain actors, and regional integration, (3) support with the convening, preparation and facilitation of a regional agri-food value chain implementation and knowledge sharing workshop convening the regional value chain promoters and their stakeholders, the Regional Economic Communities, and development partners active and/or interested in the space, and (4) write-up a workshop meeting report and a knowledge product. The consultant will work closely with the UNDP RSCA in Addis Ababa. S/he will be under the supervision of the AFIM Project Manager, collaborate closely with AFIM staff, and be responsible for the following tasks: Inception/briefing meeting in Addis Ababa and preparatory work leading to a detailed workplan (by May 7, 2014) Meet with AFIM Team in Addis Ababa to get briefed on the work and get all the relevant background material. Review the background material and prepare a detailed workplan with tentative mission timing to be validated with project promoters and UNDP host COs. Evaluate the results of the 6 Agri-Food Value Chain Projects (until 15 September 2014): Conduct project missions that assess the progress of the project against stated outputs as per the grant agreement submissions, as well as identify challenges, and lessons learnt. The evaluation missions will consult the project promoters, partners and beneficiaries. Email/phone consultations with the RECs will also be expected. The evaluation missions will also gauge the impact of the catalytic fund contribution to project outcomes and impact and discuss the projects vision beyond the catalytic funding phase. The evaluation of the impact of the catalytic fund will look at the following dimensions: Relevance:  Assess the contribution of the catalytic fund towards the achievement of project objectives; Analyze whether the project addresses the needs and demands of the beneficiaries in a disaggregated manner (for men and women), and the community response; Assess the relevance of the approach/tool/instruments/inputs applied by the project towards project outcomes; Assess the relevance and effect of technical assistance provided by the project promoters and partners to the beneficiaries. Effectiveness: Identify the emerging effect of the project on beneficiaries including both men and women. These may include aspects on household income generation/assets formation and job creation due to project interventions; Assess the performance of the project so far with particular reference to qualitative and quantitative achievements of outputs and targets as defined in the project documents and work-plans and with reference to project baselines; Assess the effectiveness of the cost sharing arrangements between the UNDP, project promoters and partners. Efficiency: Assess whether the project has utilized project funding as per the agreed work plan to achieve the projected targets; Assess the timeline and quality of the reporting followed by the project; Analyze the performance of the Monitoring and Evaluation mechanism of the project and the use of various M&E tools; Identify factors and constraints which have affected project implementation including technical, managerial, organizational and institutional factors in addition to other external factors unforeseen during the project design. Sustainability and Impact:  Assess preliminary indications of the degree to which the project results are likely to be sustainable beyond the project’s and provide recommendations for strengthening sustainability; Assess the sustainability of the project interventions in terms of their effect on environment; Analyze the emerging impact on the communities for both men and women in terms of food security, income and asset enhancement; Analyze emerging impact on private-sector regional cooperation/integration; Based on the findings (relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impact), recommend on the project direction beyond the catalytic funding phase. Network /linkages: Evaluate the level, degree and representation by the beneficiaries and stakeholders, (Government and partners etc.) in the implementation of the project; Assess the alignment of the project with the UNDP COs strategies in relevant countries towards identifying linkages and opportunities for achievement of objectives/targets. Lessons learnt/ Conclusions: Identify significant lessons or conclusions which can be drawn from the project in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and networking. Prepare evaluation reports (drafts until September 30 2014; final approved report by October 15 2014) Prepare individual project evaluation reports including recommendation for project implementation sustainability and suggested next steps for beyond 2014; Prepare a summary report looking at key results and lessons learnt from the catalytic grants mechanism. This will include: Consulting the RECs on the mechanism and its value to their work and with respect to regional integration; Looking into the relationship and complementarity of the PFP and MCG mechanism with Challenge Fund; Prepare a summary power point presentation of the evaluations results and lessons learnt. Support with the convening, preparation and facilitation of a regional agri-food value chain implementation and knowledge sharing workshop, convening the regional value chain promoters and their stakeholders, the Regional Economic Communities, and development partners active and/or interested in that space (workshop is planned for October 2014)  Prepare workshop concept note (by June 15 2014), agenda, presentations and any other necessary preparation documents; Advise on participants to be invited; Facilitate sessions as relevant. Write-up a workshop meeting report and a knowledge product (draft until October 30, 2014, Final November 15 2014) Prepare a workshop meeting report including the proceedings of the meeting;  Prepare a knowledge product (20-30 pages long) that will take on board the outcome of the workshop and include: Background on the Project Facilitation Platforms and Micro Capital Grant catalytic funding processes; 1-2 pages success stories/results on each of the regional value chain projects; Background on other approaches used by other development partners, as well as key successes obtained from these approaches; Detailing pros and cons of each approach; Lessons learnt on the catalytic attributes of the Micro Capital Grants, including recommendations for next steps, including potential improvements and scale-up. The consultant will be responsible to develop and propose his/her own methodology to carry out the tasks described above. However this should include: Reviewing existing regional value chain projects plans, micro-capital grants agreements, quarterly and final reports (as applicable), and Mid Term Review reports; Planning field missions in a participatory manner with the project promoters and the host UNDP Country Offices; Key informant interviews of and focus groups meetings with key regional value chains stakeholders at country level, during the field mission; Review of any relevant data sources available in the field with project promoters and other relevant project stakeholders; Consultations with the relevant RECs (EAC, ECOWAS, COMESA).

Competencies

Technical / Functional Competencies:  Knowledge of private sector and pro-poor market development, in particular of agriculture value chain approaches; Knowledge of regional private sector companies and financial institutions, especially in the agro-food industry; Knowledge of UNDP and other UN agencies are beneficial; Strong analytical aptitude, communication and presentation skills; Outstanding communication skills in English; French an asset; Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders (civil society, government authorities, local communities, project staff); and  Computer proficiency: MS Office. Core Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards; Strong project management skills; Positive, constructive attitude and approaches work with energy; Demonstrates openness to change and ability to receive / integrate feedback; Good networking skills to engage with both internal and external partners.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: At least Masters Degree in international development, economics, business, finance, agricultural economics, agribusiness, marketing or related field. Work Experience: A minimum of ten years of progressive experience in private sector development and/or private sector engagement or partnerships for development is required; Experience in project conducting and writing evaluations; Experience in developing knowledge products; Experience working with African regional agricultural value chains as well as public and private sector agribusiness sector institutions; Experience of inclusive business models to engage private sector companies in projects that contribute to the MDGs and poverty reduction; Hands on work experience in project development and delivery in developing countries in general  and Africa in particular; Facilitation and training experience in the agribusiness field; Computer skills: Full command of Microsoft applications (word, excel, PowerPoint) and common internet applications will be required. Languages: Excellent knowledge of English, including the ability to write reports clearly and concisely, and to set out a coherent argument in presentations and group interactions; Working knowledge of French an asset. Application procedure Please refer to the below link to refer to the detail Terms of Reference and Procurement Notice: http://www.et.undp.org/content/ethiopia/en/home/operations/procurement/agribusinessvaluechain/  Interested consultants are required to upload their CVs here and to send their technical and financial proposals in two different electronic files to our secured email address procurement.et@undp.org  no later than April 30, 2014. Duty Station  Home-based with travel to Addis Ababa and to project sites in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Zambia and Mozambique.   Original Post: UNDP

Young Professionals, Build your carreer with ADB

ADB Logo

1. Do you Know What ADB is?

ADB simply mean Asian Development Bank created in December 1966 to support social and economic growth of Asian and Pacific Countries. this support consist to bring technical and financial assistance to all countries members.

2. Why ADB is important for youth?

ADB is important for you because, it has a whole programme just for young professionals. ADB Young Professional Programme aim to grow professionally by building your carreer based on your training and experience. it also want to help improve the lives standard of people living in Asia and Pacific.. that is why ADB recruits highly qualified and motivated individuals. Through its Young Professional Programme (YPP), ADB  provides the foundation for a challenging and rewarding professional career in an international development environment. YPP offers a range of opportunities to develop professional skills and understanding of ADB's operations, policies and procedures.

3. How does this works?

YPP offer you a three-year fixed-term appointment in ADB headquarters. you  will be initially joining one of ADB’s operational departments and then assigned to another department/office as a rotational assignment for 12 months. During this period, you are expected to demonstrate competencies required for the positions. The work assignments enable them to further develop their expertise and broaden their perspective through exposure to various aspects of ADB work. You may also participate in missions for activities in fact finding and appraisal, project review and completion, country programming, sector and policy studies, or disbursement.

 Notice That, ADB offers a compensation and benefits package that is internationally competitive and comparable with other multilateral institutions. Salaries are paid in US dollars and are tax-exempt, unless your government determines that it is subject to taxation. You may also be entitled to housing, children's education subsidy, health care, insurance, home country travel, and retirement benefits.

4. What skills are required

Be awared that This Young Professional Program is highly competitive and only a limited number of candidates are selected annually. So you must demontrate a high motivation forthis opprtunity.

If you are less than 33 years old, resident from ADB's Countries members (Asia and Pacific), Holder of Post graduate university degree in economic, Administration,  finance, finance, business administration, transport management, urban and regional planning, environment, public management..., with at least 3 years of work experience and able to work with others of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds, Then, submit your application Now by clicking HERE

See Original Post : http://www.adb.org/site/careers/adb-young-professionals-program

  Photo by living in Mongolia