Source: ATSAF.de
AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center is a non-profit, autonomous international agricultural
research center with headquarters in Taiwan and regional offices around the globe. The
Center conducts research and development programs that contribute to alleviation of poverty
and malnutrition in the developing world. The Center is seeking an experienced
Communications Expert to support its pan-African program on Vegetable Breeding and Seed
Systems for Poverty Reduction in Africa.
Key Responsibilities
Under the Supervision of the Program Manager and in close collaboration with senior
research and support staff, the Communications Expert will develop and put into operation a
communications and reporting strategy, to ensure improved communication between the
liaison officer and program management, on one hand, and Regional Breeding Units and
spoke countries, on the other hand and, to ensure increased visibility within Africa and
beyond. Specific duties of the Communications Expert include:
1. Establish an effective communications system between the Liaison Officers and the
management at the Center´s Regional Center for Africa and between the National Breeding
Units and their partners in the spoke countries;
2. Assist in maintaining an effective reporting system at the management unit in
Tanzania and in the hub countries to ensure regular result-based reporting to headquarters,
the Board of Directors, the Program Advisory Committee and the Donor;
3. Contribute to the establishment, continuance, and upkeep of the program´s web
page; prepare articles and publishable materials to be uploaded on the web page;
4. Develop in close collaboration with Communications at headquarters and senior
scientists, scientific and popular publications covering issues pertaining to vegetable
breeding and seed systems in the continent;
5. Formulate, in collaboration with headquarters, an extension strategy for information
dissemination to the program´s stakeholders (Public Sector, private sector, Community
Based Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations);
6. Ensure regular updates from the library at headquarters on key literature for vBSS
scientists;
7. Contribute in the preparation of annual review, publications, fact sheets and other
documents based on the outcome from vBSS monitoring;
8. Organize workshops with the Liaison Officers to further disseminate progress reports
and lessons to a broader development practitioner community in the region;
9. Provide communication materials and equipment to ensure the smooth running of
the program´s workshops and training activities; and
10. Provide technical input on aspects of communication, awareness raising and
extension into the program´s workshops and training activities.
Qualifications and Experience
· Master´s degree in Communication, Journalism or Rural Extension with Agriculture
background
· At least 5 years experience in developing communications strategies for multi-
country programs in Sub Sahara Africa
· Excellent computer literacy, and good knowledge and experience in electronic/desk
top publishing
· Strong affiliation with the rural sector and with means of developing awareness
campaigns to effectively communicate with the rural sector
· Effective communication skills in spoken and written English, working knowledge of
French is an advantage
· Wide networking experience with advanced research organizations in and outside
Africa; public sector organizations and private sectors
· Ability to perform effectively and efficiently in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural
environment
Terms of Appointment: The incumbent will be based at the Center´s Regional Center for
Africa in Arusha, Tanzania. The initial appointment is for two years with possibility of re-
appointments. Salary and perquisites are commensurate with qualifications and experience,
and are comparable with regional agricultural research centers.
Application: Submit a letter of application, Curriculum Vitae, with names and contact
addresses (phone number and e-mail) of three referees. Send to: Ms. Lilia Tan Habacon,
HR Manager , AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center P.O. Box 42, Shanhua, Tainan 74199,
Taiwan; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. fax: +886-6-583-0009.
Review of Applications: The review of application will begin 30 August 2008 and continue
until the position is filled. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.
AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center is the principal international research center
dedicated to vegetable research and development. Our mission is to alleviate poverty and
malnutrition in the developing world through the increased production and consumption of
safe vegetables. For more information on AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center, see
<http://www.avrdc.org>.
Source: ATSAF.de
AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center is a non-profit, autonomous international agricultural
research center with headquarters in Taiwan and regional offices around the globe. The
Center conducts research and development programs that contribute to alleviation of poverty
and malnutrition in the developing world. The Center is seeking an experienced
Communications Expert to support its pan-African program on Vegetable Breeding and Seed
Systems for Poverty Reduction in Africa.
Key Responsibilities
Under the Supervision of the Program Manager and in close collaboration with senior
research and support staff, the Communications Expert will develop and put into operation a
communications and reporting strategy, to ensure improved communication between the
liaison officer and program management, on one hand, and Regional Breeding Units and
spoke countries, on the other hand and, to ensure increased visibility within Africa and
beyond. Specific duties of the Communications Expert include:
1. Establish an effective communications system between the Liaison Officers and the
management at the Center´s Regional Center for Africa and between the National Breeding
Units and their partners in the spoke countries;
2. Assist in maintaining an effective reporting system at the management unit in
Tanzania and in the hub countries to ensure regular result-based reporting to headquarters,
the Board of Directors, the Program Advisory Committee and the Donor;
3. Contribute to the establishment, continuance, and upkeep of the program´s web
page; prepare articles and publishable materials to be uploaded on the web page;
4. Develop in close collaboration with Communications at headquarters and senior
scientists, scientific and popular publications covering issues pertaining to vegetable
breeding and seed systems in the continent;
5. Formulate, in collaboration with headquarters, an extension strategy for information
dissemination to the program´s stakeholders (Public Sector, private sector, Community
Based Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations);
6. Ensure regular updates from the library at headquarters on key literature for vBSS
scientists;
7. Contribute in the preparation of annual review, publications, fact sheets and other
documents based on the outcome from vBSS monitoring;
8. Organize workshops with the Liaison Officers to further disseminate progress reports
and lessons to a broader development practitioner community in the region;
9. Provide communication materials and equipment to ensure the smooth running of
the program´s workshops and training activities; and
10. Provide technical input on aspects of communication, awareness raising and
extension into the program´s workshops and training activities.
Qualifications and Experience
· Master´s degree in Communication, Journalism or Rural Extension with Agriculture
background
· At least 5 years experience in developing communications strategies for multi-
country programs in Sub Sahara Africa
· Excellent computer literacy, and good knowledge and experience in electronic/desk
top publishing
· Strong affiliation with the rural sector and with means of developing awareness
campaigns to effectively communicate with the rural sector
· Effective communication skills in spoken and written English, working knowledge of
French is an advantage
· Wide networking experience with advanced research organizations in and outside
Africa; public sector organizations and private sectors
· Ability to perform effectively and efficiently in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural
environment
Terms of Appointment: The incumbent will be based at the Center´s Regional Center for
Africa in Arusha, Tanzania. The initial appointment is for two years with possibility of re-
appointments. Salary and perquisites are commensurate with qualifications and experience,
and are comparable with regional agricultural research centers.
Application: Submit a letter of application, Curriculum Vitae, with names and contact
addresses (phone number and e-mail) of three referees. Send to: Ms. Lilia Tan Habacon,
HR Manager , AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center P.O. Box 42, Shanhua, Tainan 74199,
Taiwan; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. fax: +886-6-583-0009.
Review of Applications: The review of application will begin 30 August 2008 and continue
until the position is filled. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.
AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center is the principal international research center
dedicated to vegetable research and development. Our mission is to alleviate poverty and
malnutrition in the developing world through the increased production and consumption of
safe vegetables. For more information on AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center, see
<http://www.avrdc.org>.