Grants Officer
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is a pioneering development research think tank on harnessing applications of science, technology and innovation policies for sustainable development in Africa. ACTS is an Intergovernmental organization founded in 1988 to pursue policy oriented research towards strengthening the capacity of African countries and institutions to harness science and technology for sustainable development. ACTS envisions a sustainable economic, social and environmental future for Africa, through science, technology and innovation.
Research Internship
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is a pioneering development research think tank on harnessing applications of science, technology and innovation policies for sustainable development in Africa. ACTS is an Intergovernmental organization founded in 1988 to pursue policy oriented research towards strengthening the capacity of African countries and institutions to harness science and technology for sustainable development. ACTS envisions a sustainable economic, social and environmental future for Africa, through science, technology and innovation.
Overall responsibility
To support staff within two of ACTS’
projects to manage grants, specifically their contract negotiation, grants
disbursement, reporting and final close out of grants.
The two projects are as follows:
·
Building Institutional Capacity for
Computing research in Kenya (CBICTD)
·
Science Granting Councils Initiative
(SGCI) in Africa
Responsibilities
·
Checking applications meet funding
criteria
·
Advising applicants about funding
programs and requirements
·
Assessing applications against a
strict set of rules
·
Giving information and
recommendations to the decision-making panel
·
Keeping applicants informed about the
progress of their application
·
Administering grant payments
·
Supporting a caseload of grant
holders and monitoring their progress
·
Keeping accurate records of
applications and payments
·
Giving presentations to publicise
grant schemes
·
Assisting with writing and editing
reports
NB: all staff may be given responsibilities outside of this
generic task list by their line manager and/or senior management of ACTS as and
when required.
Qualifications
·
University degree. Training in
development studies and project management will be an added advantage.
·
Appropriate work experience
preferably as a grants manager already before (for 3 years)
·
Strong written and verbal
communication skills and confidence to operate in a wide range of environments
·
Sound numerical skills
·
Sound IT skills
Person abilities and qualities
·
Ability to work in a team and
independently as required
·
Ability to build and maintain
excellent relationships
·
Ability to manage your own workload
with minimal supervision
·
Confidence to use your judgement,
take initiative and challenge when appropriate
How to Apply
Employment term: Full time, 24-months contract
Start date: 1 March 2019
If you are interested in applying
please send an application consisting of a motivation letter (setting out how
you meet the criteria above), an up-to-date CV, a writing sample (preferably
single authored publication) and three relevant references to the Human
Resource Manager, ACTS at hr@acts-net.org
Deadline for application: 22 February 2019
Please note that this is not an
international post.
If you have queries about this
position or about the work that will be expected, please email a.kingiri@acts-net.org
Research Internship
Objectives
The objective of the assignment is to
strengthen AGNES’s technical capacity and provide all the necessary support to
AGNES activities through provision of high quality services.
Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the
Team Leader, AGNES, the Intern is expected to:
·
Provide technical and administrative
support in organizing and implementation of AGNES activities, in particular: i)
support to AGN in the climate change negotiations; ii) support to African
countries to develop mid century long term low carbon climate resilient
development strategies; iii) development and updating of nationally determined
contributions (NDCs); iv) IPCC work; and v) Readiness to access climate finance
among others;
·
Carry out desk research and expert
consultations on identified themes (including agriculture, food and water
security, gender and climate change etc) in support of AGNES’s technical
support in forging a common African position in the climate change
negotiations;
·
Support coordination of the Research
Platform on Assessing Global Adaptation Progress (GAP);
·
Review and synthesize documents for
use by various target groups including AGNES, the AGN and policy makers;
·
Support the development and
dissemination of knowledge products;
·
Work with African scientists to
increase their participation in IPCC related activities;
·
Put in place online workspace with
relevant documents for AGNES team, including organization of meetings, workshops,
seminars, webinars and other similar activities;
·
Prepare meeting reports, meeting
minutes, circulate summaries and follow up on action points;
·
Develop and maintain a database of
African experts based on the area of expertise, region and institutional
affiliation;
·
Assist with coordinating and
establishing communication with francophone networks;
·
Assist in resource mobilization to
support AGNES activities and strengthen partnerships with governments,
AU/NEPAD, AMCEN, UNECA-ACPC, AfDB, FAO, UNFCCC, the World Bank, IDRC, GIZ,
regional economic communities (RECs) and other development partners;
·
Be available to participate in or
otherwise support national, regional and international meetings as needed
including AGNES preparatory and Strategy meetings, SBs sessions, COP, IPCC and
others; and
·
Carry out any other relevant tasks as
assigned by and agreed with the Team Leader and to support the AGN.
Qualifications
Education
·
Currently enrolled in or a recent
graduate of a Master’s/Ph.D Programme in environment and natural resources,
agriculture, economics, law, business administration and social sciences or a
related discipline.
Skills
·
Knowledge of international climate
change negotiations;
·
Proficiency in using standard
software programmes: MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, and Access;
·
Strong research and analytical
skills;
·
Excellent writing and presentation
skills;
·
Well-developed verbal communication
and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate with
people from a variety of cultural backgrounds;
·
Ability to work effectively in a team
environment and to take initiative;
·
Experience in updating and
maintaining websites is an advantage;
·
Good understanding and experience in
operations of international organizations is an advantage;
·
Experience in interacting with
different stakeholders, including governments, intergovernmental organizations,
civil society organizations and private sector is an advantage; and
·
Fluency in English is essential;
knowledge of another United Nations language, in particular French and
Portuguese is an advantage.
How to apply
Please submit the following with your
application:
·
An updated CV;
·
A detailed cover letter explaining
your interests, experience and what you hope to gain through the internship;
and
·
A list of peer reviewed publications,
if any.
Submit your electronic application
through the email hr@acts-net.org before the 1st of March 2019. Please put the caption “AGNES Internship Application” in the subject line of mail.
ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE
CONTACTED.