We are seeking 50 young European journalists to create articles, broadcasts, podcasts, and photo journals on the subject of sustainability in light of the upcoming Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio in June 20 – 22 2012. Media contributions should focus on solutions being put in practice in different places in Europe to respond to the challenges to sustainability the world is facing.

The work of the chosen journalists will be uploaded to the website of the UNEP campaign GreenUp (www.greenup-unep.org). Three of the most consistent and high quality contributors will be selected to report from the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 20 – 22 June.

EYP also aims to create a dedicated working group for young environmental journalists in which all selected 50 participants will be expected to be actively involved.

More info at: http://www.youthpress.org/news/415-send-us-your-stories-and-win-a-chance-to-report-from-rio20

Main purpose of job:

The successful candidate will join APC’s global communications and information policy (CIPP) team as the African ICT policy advocacy coordinator and will play an important role in building APC’s strategic priorities in the ICT policy field in Africa.

APC is a global network of civil society organizations whose mission is to empower and support organisations, social movements and individuals in and through the use of information and communication technologies to build strategic communities and initiatives for the purpose of making meaningful contributions to equitable human development, social justice, participatory political processes and environmental sustainability.

ICT Policy in Africa

We are looking for someone with extensive experience in the ICT policy field in Africa, strong networking and outreach skills and experience and expertise in advocacy, research, capacity building and strategic communications.

The African ICT policy advocacy coordinator will be responsible for the implementation of a two-year programme entitled ‘Access, rights and innovation: Improving governance and accountability in ICT policy and regulation in Africa’ and building a solid basis for ongoing work in these areas.

Brief background information is attached as Appendix A.

Application deadline: February 17th 2012

Start date: As soon as possible

The African ICT policy advocacy coordinator will report to the APC Communications and Information Policy Programme (CIPP) Manager and will be responsible for:

1. Coordination of implementation of the two year project: ‘Access, rights and innovation: Improving governance and accountability in ICT policy and regulation in Africa’ focussing on two specific issue areas: innovative approaches to spectrum use and management as a means of extending affordable access and securing and defending fundamental human rights on the internet. This will include:
• coordination of all project activities including research and monitoring; communications outreach; network building and collaboration and capacity building of activists, regulators and policy-makers
• supervision of contracted project partners
• supervision of the project team
• production and submission of project reports in a timely fashion
2. Provide vision and leadership in development of APC’s strategy and policy work in relation to ICT Policy in Africa, working closely with the CIPP team and other APC staff
3. Represent APC and build strategic partnerships in the field. This includes frequent international travel.
4. Participate actively in the APC staff team and engage with APC members
5. Resource mobilisation

The person we are looking for will have:

1. At least 3 years experience working in the ICT policy field in Africa
2. Extensive knowledge of ICT policies with a focus on affordable access, human rights on the internet and internet governance.
3. Experience in policy advocacy work in those areas
4. Experience in research and research coordination; capacity building, and strategic communications in those areas
5. Good networking contacts in the ICT policy field in Africa, enthusiasm for networking and be an inclusive network builder
6. The ability to plan and think strategically
7. Experience in project management (at least two years) including people and budget management
8. Experience and background in civil society networking
9. Knowledge and contacts of the ICT policy, human rights and internet governance regional institutions and actors

Other requirements:

1. Excellent English writing and oral communication skills, including public speaking experience
2. Ability to communicate in French is a distinct advantage
3. Good writing skills and experience in writing reports
4. Able to work in a team and under pressure
5. Able to work independently and to manage people mainly via online communications
6. Willing to travel frequently
7. Competent computer and internet skills and experience in working in an online environment
8. Sound academic qualifications in a related area is a distinct advantage

Remuneration and duration of contract:

This is a full time contract for an initial twelve-month period (renewable depending on performance and availability of funding). Remuneration is based on APC’s salary scale for the position for a senior project coordinator. Short-listed candidates will receive specific information on the salary range on request.

Location:

The incumbent can work from anywhere in Africa provided they have internet access. APC provides an equipment allowance but require staff to use their own computers. International and regional travel will be required. APC is a truly virtual organisation and does not have a physical headquarters. We do our work online.

How to apply:

Please send a CV and a covering letter in English that illustrates your interest in the position.

You should include the following information:

• Your experience with ICT policy with a focus on affordable access, internet governance and human rights on the internet
• Your experience in advocacy and capacity building
• Your experience in research and research coordination
• Your experience in networking and partnership building
• Your experience in designing, developing and leading campaigns targeting diverse constituencies
• Your background in project management and team coordination, specifically in a regional and/or online context
• Your computer skills
• Where you live?- Languages you speak and write
• Other information you think might be of importance to our assessment of your application
• Three references: names, relationship, contact details; at least one of these should be related to project or campaign that you have managed.

Please send this information via email with ‘African ICT policy advocacy coordinator’ in the subject line to: jobs@apc.org<mailto:jobs%40apc.org> by February 17, 2012. Please note that only applications in English will be received and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Appendix 1: Background: Access, rights and innovation: Improving governance and accountability in ICT policy and regulation in Africa

CIPP is one of APC’s three core programmes (along with the women’s rights and strategic technology and network development programmes). In the 2012-2013 period, the programme will focus on advocating for affordable access, particularly through calling for innovative approaches to spectrum use and management, and for the protection of fundamental human rights on the internet.

In Africa, working with APC staff, APC members and partners, and other internet access and rights activists in Africa, we aim to achieve policy and regulation that:

promotes affordable, widely available access to the internet (e.g. spectrum management; barriers to entry for service providers; competition and pricing etc.)

enables innovation, access to knowledge, sharing of information and the creation of local content (intellectual property enforcement and digital rights management; open source and open standards; access to publicly funded information and research, etc.)

promotes and protects fundamental human rights on the internet, particularly freedom of expression and freedom of association (intermediary liability; cybercrime and security; freedom of information; protection of privacy; the right to anonymity; the right to freely associate and organise on the internet; freedom from censorship and surveillance; due process in cases of any government interference or monitoring etc.)

This will be achieved through research, advocacy, networking, outreach and capacity building activities in two areas where we believe our efforts can make a concrete difference in the next two years:

innovative approaches to spectrum use and management as a means of extending affordable access, and,

securing and defending fundamental human rights on the internet.

The policy spaces we will target will be a mix of national (e.g. regulators, ministries), regional (e.g. African Telecommunications Union, regional regulatory associations, such as WATRA and CRASA,1 the African Commission of Human and People’s Rights, the African Union etc.) and global forums (e.g. the International Telecommunications Union, the Human Rights Council and the Internet Governance Forum).

The successful candidate should have impeccable writing and communication skills, an ability to identify diverse sources of relevant information and to prepare, UNDER LIMITED SUPERVISION, reports and memoranda using the best derivable evidence from such data sources. In addition to desktop research, valuable skills for this role include an ability to design and administer questionnaires, interact with senior private and public sector executives, and engage with academics on their own terms.

The successful candidate should be able to organise large data sets into easily accessible formats and draw on them in developing persuasive arguments for incorporation into research documents of serious relevance to policy formulation and media agenda-setting in a sub-Saharan or developing country context.

Candidates will typically be high academic performers with at least a bachelor’s degree or advanced post-graduate training. However, a solid research track record and a keen interest in data collection and analysis, as well as the use of rich evidence for written and spoken argumentation shall be the most interesting item on a candidate’s resume.

Candidates of diverse academic persuasions are encouraged to apply, provided they meet the criteria for research, communication and analytical proficiency. Since this opportunity is likely to be highly competitive, interested persons are encouraged to self-evaluate their competencies prior to applying. Historically, only 5% of the most promising candidates have proceeded to the next round of selection due to the high emphasis on excellence.

Applicants selected for this role shall receive a decent stipend during their engagement.

However the most critical remuneration is the opportunity being offered of an association with a high-flying organisation and the admission into prominent local and international networks, both of which should enhance career prospects.

Interested applicants should send their CVs to research4africa@gmail.com accompanied with an essay of not more than 750 words responding to the topic:

“Public Health policy is a slippery road to the wanton infringement of civil liberties.”

The recruiting institution observes international best practice in not discriminating against interns or staff on the basis of gender, race, age, ethnic background and other prohibited factors.

From January 25th until March 19th 2012, the search will be on to find 10 exceptional, motivated and inspiring 18-24 year-olds from across EMEA*, who are making a positive impact in the world through science, the arts, education, innovation or inspiration.

The lucky winners will be invited to participate in Google’s annual Zeitgeist event, where previous speakers have included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts, Google CEO Larry Pageand Chairman Eric Schmidt. They will also win a brand new Google tech gadget and get the chance to take to the stage and have their voice heard.

Last year saw the first ever ‘Young Minds’ competition in both the UK and America. The lucky finalists won an experience of a lifetime, from meeting Chelsea Clinton and Will I Am, to taking part in panel discussions with Jon Snow and Martha Lane Fox (Co-founder Lastminute.com).

Orli Setton was a winner from 2011 and described attending Zeitgeist as “magical, fantastic and powerful! What I enjoyed most was the innovative, energetic and creative atmosphere.”

Matt Brittin, Vice President of Northern & Central Europe, Google commented, “Google has always championed innovation and is proud to help young people showcase their ideas and achievements. Zeitgeist Young Minds is an incredible opportunity for future world-changers to meet some of the most powerful and inspiring people on the planet today.“

The winners will take part in a series of bespoke master classes with the aim of inspiring as well as giving them mentoring to help further their project and get their hands on the latest Google gadget. But what’s even more exciting is that a select few will also get the opportunity to take to the stage and have their voice heard. Here are the highlights from last year’s panel discussion with Martha Lane fox, Jon Snow and our Young Minds winners http://youtu.be/6_LYNwuaub4

To be in with a chance of winning a place at Zeitgeist 2012, all entrants have to do is simply upload a video no longer than a minute telling us how they are making a difference to the world towww.ZeitgeistYoungMinds.com

The competition is open to entrants from the following countries within EMEA:
South Africa, Algeria, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Egypt, Spain, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, Holland, Poland, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Russia , Sweden , Tunisia & Yemen.

Source: www.ZeitgeistYoungMinds.com

• Organized by The Goi Peace Foundation and UNESCO
• Endorsed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan; Japanese National Commission for UNESCO; Japan Private High School Federation; Japan Broadcasting Corporation; Nikkei Inc.; Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education
• Supported by Felissimo Corporation

*** THEME:

“CREATING THE FUTURE WE WANT”– Future begins with the vision we hold now. What kind of future do you wish to create for yourself and the world? Please share your dream and ideas for making it a reality.

*** GUIDELINES:

1. Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of June 30, 2012) in one of the following age categories:
• Children (ages up to 14)
• Youth (ages 15 – 25)
2. Essays must be 800 words or less in English, French, Spanish or German; or 1600 characters or less in Japanese, typed or printed.
3. Essays must have a cover page indicating
• category (Children or Youth)
• essay title
• your name
• address
• phone number
• e-mail
• nationality
• age as of June 30, 2012
• gender
• school name (if applicable)
  Teachers and youth directors may submit a collection of essays from their class or group. Please enclose a list of participants’ names and the name and contact information of the submitting teacher or director.
• word count.
  (Entries missing any of the above information will not be considered.)
4. Entries may be submitted by postal mail or online.
   (IMPORTANT: To send your essay online, you must go to the online registration page at www.goipeace.or.jp and follow the required steps.)
5. Essays must be original and unpublished.
6. Essays must be written by one person. Co-authored essays are not accepted.
7. Copyright of the essays entered will be assigned to the organizers.

*** DEADLINE:    Entries must be received by JUNE 30, 2012.

*** AWARDS:    The following awards will be given in the Children’s category and Youth category respectively:
1st Prize:    Certificate and prize of 100,000 Yen (approx. US$1,200)  … 1 entrant
2nd Prize:   Certificate and prize of 50,000 Yen (approx. US$600)  … 2 entrants
3rd Prize:    Certificate and gift  … 5 entrants
Honorable Mention:  Certificate and gift  … 25 entrants

* 1st prize winners will be invited to the award ceremony in Tokyo, Japan scheduled for November 2012.
(Travel expenses will be covered by the organizers.)

** All prize winners will be announced in November 2012 on the Goi Peace Foundation web site (www.goipeace.or.jp) and UNESCO web site (www.unesco.org/youth).

*** PLEASE SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO:
International Essay Contest c/o The Goi Peace Foundation
1-4-5 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093  Japan
OR Send online through www.goipeace.or.jp

* For inquires, please contact essay@goipeace.or.jp