EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY EAST AFRICAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION (EASTECO)

Transcription

1 EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY EAST AFRICAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION (EASTECO) TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO FACILITATE ORIENTATION OF EDITORIAL BOARD OF EAST AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION - EAJSTI 1. Background The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) is semi-autonomous institution of the East African Community (EAC) that was established by the fifth Extra Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State on June 18, This was in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty on the Establishment of the East African Community as set out in Chapter 16, Article 103 (a), where the Partner States undertook to promote co-operation in the development of science and technology within the Community s member states. EASTECO s overall objective is to promote and coordinate the development, management and application of science and technology to support regional integration and socioeconomic development. ( ) The East African Community is an intergovernmental organisation composed of six countries; Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania South Sudan & Uganda - South Sudan formally acceded to the Community on 5 September, In 2010, the EAC launched its own common market for goods, labour, services and capital within the region, with the goal of creating a common currency and ultimately a full political federation. It is a member of the EAC-COMESA-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area. The EAC has a common market of over 150million people. ( ) The promotion of Science and Technology is calling for activities related to i) the development of knowledge with the Research and Development, Training and skills development, and ii) the use of science and technology through the commercialization of R&D findings, and technology acquisition and innovation. The dissemination of scientific and technological information to enhance Research and Development, and Innovation capabilities is among the functions of the EASTECO, as defined by the protocol establishing the Commission. In order to achieve the EAC development objectives human resource capacity in scientific 1

2 research, technological development and innovation must be improved, and ways of exchange and dissemination of scientific and technological information has to be enhanced and diversified. There is so a need for collecting and sharing scientific information, for linking available skills in science and technology, innovators in the various scientific domains and institutions: academia, public R&D institutions, industrial and manufacturing sectors, professional associations. 2. Rationale Communication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals is the standard by which research scientists and their findings are evaluated by the scientific community. Publication ensures that research findings are accessible for use in related studies and are thereby better translated into technology improvement. Scientific writing skills are not an innate talent, but are developed and sharpened through active and continued engagement in research and writing/journal publication. The dynamic nature of today s scientific world and the associated societal demands for addressing technological, and Innovation challenges call for frequent strengthening of publication skills of researchers, to facilitate information exchange and utilization to address development challenges. In Africa particularly, the East African Region researchers are under increasing pressure to demonstrate their contribution towards solving Africa s Science, Technology and Innovation challenges through research, dissemination and application of findings. EASTECO will equip editors and reviewers with the journal editing and reviewing skills to be applied in the EAJSTI. EASTECO is therefore seeking to engage a consultant to provide orientation of Peer reviewers & editorial team on Journal reviewing and editing for EAJSTI. 3. General Objective The objective of the consultancy is to conduct orientation to strengthen the skills of members of the editorial board of EAJSTI in journal reviewing and editing. To introduce the editorial Board members to efficient and effective methods of managing a journal. 4. Specific Objectives The specific objectives of the consultancy are to: i. Facilitate EAJSTI editorial board members in review procedures in journal editing and reviewing. ii. Provide fundamentals of editing, journal management, and publishing ethics iii. Orient the board on organizing workflow and working with authors, reviewers, and managing editor. iv. To introduce and review ethics issues on Promoting Integrity in Scientific Journal Publications. v. Consent with participants on the fundamental style considerations for editing and reviewing acceptable manuscripts to be published in the EAJSTI vi. Reach consensus on the strategy to efficiently review/edit research papers for EAJSTI 2

3 vii. Using participatory techniques facilitate on how to manage Peer Reviewers viii. Provide basic review regarding peer critiques of scientific editing/reviewing. ix. Orient the editorial board members on conflicts of interest, duplicate publication, piracy and plagiarism, human subjects, data misrepresentation, image fraud, authorship disputes, editorial independence, falsification of data, and research misconduct. x. To provide journal editorial board members with an overview of the various skills, tools, and knowledge required to prepare high-quality scientific manuscripts for publication. 5. Main immediate expected outputs of the Consultancy: i. EAJSTI editorial board members oriented in journal reviewing and editing procedures ii. Members of the EAJSTI Editorial Board oriented in the current trends of procedures in Journal editing iii. Editorial board members orientation report iv. Improved scientific journal editing/reviewing knowledge of the participants 6. Consultancy Approach The consultant will propose orientation objectives, topics and the method of facilitation. 7. Tasks and responsibilities of the consultant Responsibilities of the Consultant will include: I. Development of participatory, interactive and detailed orientation session plan II. Propose the course content of the orientation III. Development of the orientation methodology of facilitation IV. Perform the orientation work in a professional and ethical manner and to the required standards; 8. Deliverables I. Reviewers and Editorial Board orientation sessions. II. Orientation manuals III. Orientation report List of reports and schedule of deliverables The assignment will be carried in 10 man days including orientation of 5 working days. Time Deliverable Submission Man days Contract/Letter of appointment of the Consultant Day 1 Inception Report which shall contain: The report shall be The understanding of assignment, comments on the TOR, a refined approach & methodology and course content. submitted electronically. 3

4 After Day 6 Day 10 Hold Editorial Board members orientation sessions Draft report for the orientation workshop Final orientation report on the EAJSTI in journal editing/reviewing The report shall be submitted electronically electronic submission 9. Qualifications, skills and competences of the Consultant Applications are hereby invited from suitably qualified citizens of the EAC Partner States, with the following profile: - Academic Qualification: A university Degree - Extensive knowledge of all aspects of Journal editing/reviewing; - Professional experience: 7 years in Research and Development in journal editing/reviewing, - Should have good track record of consistent publishing in peer reviewed journals. - Should have demonstrable experience in manuscripts reviewing and editing - Knowledge of EAC System and procedures; - Sound work ethics, including commitment to time and meeting deadlines, as well as maintaining courtesy and trustworthiness; - Fluent in English language, 10. Application All eligible and interested candidates should submit an application electronically to easteco@eachq.org, with the following attachments - Technical proposal detailing the following comments on the TOR, a refined approach & methodology and Course content. - A letter of expression of interest; - Financial proposal - The description of the profile of the candidate(s), with an outline of recent activities on similar work; - The proposed methodology/approach, the work plan and the related timeline; - The CV/resume of the candidate - 3 References The application should be addressed as below with a subject of Consultancy to orient Editorial Board Members of EAJSTI by 15 th May, :00PM, GMT The Executive Secretary, 4

5 The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), 2nd Floor Telecom House, Kacyiru, KIGALI RWANDA Phone: