Strengthening EIA Professional Capacity in Africa

15.04.2004

The EIA Professional Development (PD) programme was initiated and piloted with USAID's Environmental Capacity Building Program (ENCAP) from November 2001 to October 2002. CLEIAA assumed the lead role for the programme. In administering and further developing the program, CLEIAA works in partnership with the South African Institute of Environmental Assessment (SAIEA), the Eastern Africa Association for Impact Assessment (EAAIA), Tellus Institute of Boston and IUCN- Eastern Africa Regional Office. Following successful completion of the pilot phase and lessons learnt during its implementation, IUCN, EAAIA and partners, with funding from USAID Regional Office for East and Southern Africa (REDSO), are pleased to offer a limited number of PD opportunities in EIA to professionals from Eastern Africa. The program focuses on individuals with strong academic qualifications, relevant work experience and current employment in areas related to EIA, but who lack or need more practical hands-on experience. Application is open to professionals working in government, Non Government Organisations, Private Voluntary Organisations, universities and local consulting firms from Eastern African countries that include Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

CLEIAA* Professional Development Fellowship Program

for Eastern Africa sub-region

Background

Following successful completion of the pilot phase and lessons learnt during its implementation, IUCN, EAAIA and partners, with funding from USAID Regional Office for East and Southern Africa (REDSO), are pleased to offer a limited number of PD opportunities in EIA to professionals from Eastern Africa. The overall goal of the programme is to enhance EIA capacity through learning by doing and to strengthen professional EIA networks in the sub-region.

The Fellowship covers cost of travel, lodging, meals, tuition ( where applicable) and other associated expenses up to US$ 10,000 and for a period of 1 to 3 months while the fellows are participating on a professional EIA team or engaged in applied training. Modest stipends to cover incidentals or per diem will be provided as appropriate. At the end of the fellowship, participants must provide written evaluations on their experience in the programme. Participants will also be required to participate in monitoring of the programme by providing feedback on their progress in applying the gained knowledge and experience.

Up to four PD opportunities will this time be awarded through competitive selection. The deadline for application is 7th May 2004. Successful candidates will be notified by 30th June, 2004 and would be expected to begin as soon as possible starting with attending the Annual General Meeting of the EAAIA. During their placement fellows are expected to gain practical EIA experience in specialized fields of their own choosing, such as road construction, water supply development, healthcare, irrigation, protected areas and wetlands development, use of coastal resources, etc. The experience is also intended to link awardees with established EIA professional networks in the sub-region and internationally, ideally through their sub-regional or local EIA professional associations. Therefore, additional elements of the programme include two years membership in the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) and EAAIA. Selected candidates will also be supported to participate in one of the international annual conferences of the IAIA and short introductory EIA course.

Application Criteria
The program focuses on individuals with strong academic qualifications, relevant work experience and current employment in areas related to EIA, but who lack or need more practical hands-on experience. Application is open to professionals working in government, Non Government Organisations, Private Voluntary Organisations, universities and local consulting firms from Eastern African countries that include Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Applicants are requested to submit a curriculum vita and a brief proposal on what the candidate is planning to undertake in case s/he is selected as per the attached guidelines.

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* CLEIAA = Capacity and Linkages for Environmental Impact Assessment in Africa (a network)

Application Guidelines

Application Packet
Curriculum vitae must include:
Full name (underline family name)
Contact information (fax and/or e-mail (necessary), phone, mailing address)
Date and place of birth
Citizenship
English proficiency (speaking, reading, and writing)
Education
Current Position and Professional experience
Name and address of two referees who are familiar with your professional work.
Proposal (Write a short section addressing each item; address all items in no more than 3 pages total.)
Summarize your background, including academic credentials and language capabilities. Discuss past and current responsibilities.
What experience do you have working as part of a team in a project?
What is your experience as an instructor and/or trainer (does not have to be specifically EIA or environmental in nature)?
Explain how your participation in the PD programme will be accommodated by your current employment situation. You must be able to be freed up for at least one to three months for this Fellowship.
Is there a particular EIA project that you would like to join?
Is there any particular organisation undertaking EIAs and willing to act as a host would you like to join? Describe your reasons.
Preferred location and duration of your PD experience?
For which specialized EIA sub-field(s) would you like hands-on experience?
Why would learning-by-doing training in these subfields be of particular professional value to you in your current position and how would you apply knowledge and skills gained?
How would the proposed training enhance EIA capacity in your country and in Eastern Africa sub-region as a whole?
Provide an estimated budget, if possible.