Project Development Internship - Job Description Regional background: Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. It has an ethnically diverse population of some 19 million people, and the number of inhabitants is increasing at a rate of about 3% per year. It is one of the world s poorest countries, 143/177 in the 2008-9 Human Development Report, with more than 70% of the population living below the poverty line. Only 27% of the population are classified as urban - the majority of the population working in subsistence agriculture and some 50% of children under three years of age suffering retarded growth due to a chronically inadequate diet (World Food Programme, 2008). Isolation of communities and lack of state capacity mean service delivery is extremely poor. Government educational services, extremely limited as they are across the island, rarely reach rural communities. State provided health facilities are seriously under-funded. Island-wide, among rural populations only 35% of people have improved water sources, and just 26% have adequate sanitation facilities (UNICEF, 2008). Poor health is recognised by government as being one of the key challenges to Madagascar s future development in the Madagascar Action Plan 2007-2012. Tolagnaro (or Fort Dauphin), where ONG Azafady is based, is an isolated town in the southeast of the island, in Anosy Region. The people of Anosy are one of the poorest ethnic groups in the country. The region is one of the most impoverished through almost 40 years of no intervention or investment by the state or other service providers: no upkeep of existing or provision of new - transportation/communications infrastructure; no provision of services. Whilst the government has adopted a detailed strategy paper for poverty reduction (MAP - Madagascar Action Plan), Anosy s isolation means that little has changed. The majority of people live in extremely isolated rural communities surrounding the regional capital which lack even the most basic services. The region s population suffers one of the lowest per capita incomes and highest rates of disease, infant mortality (34% in some communities) and illiteracy (over 80%). Diarrhoeal disease, malaria, respiratory and sexually transmitted infections are rife: as many as 3 in 10 children under 5 years old die from easily preventable diseases and illnesses. Average life expectancy is just 59 years, (UNICEF, 2006) and the mortality rate for those under five years is over one in ten (115/1000 live births, UNICEF, 2008 estimate). Organisational background: Azafady Ltd is a UK registered charity (charity no.1079121) based in London since, working in partnership with ONG Azafady, a Malagasy non-governmental organisation. Azafady intervenes in Fort Dauphin and surrounding rural communities in the Anosy region in the extreme South East of Madagascar, one of the most biologically rich but impoverished countries in the world. Azafady s aim is to alleviate extreme poverty and protect a unique but greatly endangered environment by empowering the poorest people of the region to improve health and wellbeing and establish more sustainable livelihoods. Azafady utilise the Sustainable Livelihoods Model for poverty reduction which aims to reduce vulnerability by strengthening communities Human, Natural, Financial, Social and Physical assets. At the heart of Azafady s work is an integrated approach to community development sensitively built around what are directly expressed to be the most pressing needs of local populations and which maximises their participation. Project activities are focused on the fields of health and sanitation, livelihood diversification and natural resource management as priority intervention areas for the region identified with participation from grassroots communities. All projects align with and contribute to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and of the Madagascar Action Plan commitments in these sectors. Azafady has over 10 years experience of grassroots community development work, during which time the organisation has grown hugely in size and reputation. The NGO now employs a workforce of over 70 Malagasy personnel, who are supported in country by 3 expatriate permanent staff of Azafady Ltd (Country Director General, Country Director of Programmes & Operations, Project Development Coordinator) and through a network of specialist volunteers from the international community sourced by Azafady Ltd. The NGO currently intervenes in villages in 14 Rural and 1 Urban Commune in the Anosy Region and is the recognised regional specialist at local capacity building. Azafady has funding relationships with numerous donors including
the European Commission, AUS AID and BIG Lottery Fund, and collaboration agreements with government ministries, international NGOs including CARE International and agencies such as the World Food Programme. Azafady have been elected to represent interests of marginalised groups on the following regional committees/platforms: o Coordinate WASH 1 Madagascar o HIV/AIDS Taskforce member responsible for supporting youth o Represent civil society on Regional Reforestation Committee o Coordinate Regional human rights coalition (CONGO PDH) o Member of the regional civil society coalition (OSC) Relevant experience: Azafady has over ten years project experience in SE Madagascar and during this time has developed an intimate working relationship with local communities. ONG AZAFADY has a wealth of experience and talent in design and implementation of activities for awareness raising, education/training and communication for behaviour change amongst marginalised groups. They are recognised as regional specialists in empowerment and capacity-building at community level. Recent/ongoing successful projects of relevance to this proposal include: Project SALAMA: Reinforcing capacity of base communities in matters of health and hygiene Project Aim: to reduce the level of illness and mortality in the population of the Anosy region and assure sustainable improvements in the health of grassroots communities in 3 communes through a process of information, education and communication (IEC), institutional development and establishment of essential infrastructures. Project LANIRANO Rural Extension: Practical education for rural communities on ways to improve livelihoods Project Aim: To bring sustainable alleviation from poverty in rural communities of the Anosy region through provision of practical livelihoods training and facilitation of local access to educational information which improve life quality and reduce vulnerability in accord with the MAP. Project LANIRANO: IEC for marginalised women in Fort Dauphin urban commune Project Aim: To enhance quality of life and build towards gender equality for women of all ages in Fort Dauphin urban commune through provision of information, practical training and essential inputs which build their capacity to engage in income generating activity. Project Mampisainat: Programme of IEC for behaviour change amongst young people Project Aim: To prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS/STIs amongst young people 13-24 years old through a process of IEC, targeting young people, their parents and opinion leaders. Sustainable Livelihoods: This initiative variously supports viable and environmentally sensitive livelihood options. It helps people to establish themselves in income generating activities, provides infrastructure to facilitate local management of natural resources, strengthens associated institutional structures and supports regional food security. English Teaching: Azafady s English teaching project is run in close conjunction with the Sustainable Livelihoods initiative. The project has up to two teachers of English-speaking origin providing Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced courses in English. Target groups include the local unemployed, local school teachers and children that cannot afford to go to school. English is much in demand as it is seen as a key tool to help people find work within the tourist industry and other growing industries within the region. Sekoly (Schools): Azafady has received numerous requests relating to work with rural schools. These requests result in projects ranging from building benches and equipping existing schools, to building entire schools and all related basic infrastructure such as wells, toilets and teachers houses. Tany Meva (Public health): This is an ongoing project largely run by Azafady s general volunteers (Pioneers) to clean up and beautify the urban centre of Fort Dauphin in order to promote a more healthy and stimulating environment for local people, as well as tourists and other visitors. Voly Hazo: Azafady engages in wide-scale community tree planting, supports a network of tree nurseries both in rural communities and the urban centre, works closely with PBZT on floral and faunal studies, and provides ongoing environmental 1 Water, Sanitation and Health for All Africa-wide health and sanitation education initiative which utilises PHAST (Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation) methodologies to enable communities to identify health problems, their root causes, and suitable solutions
education. Rural communities are the main beneficiaries of this environmental education provision, as through the Sainte Luce resource centre and region-wide sessions in schools and other community centres. Internship Overview: As the international development sector continues to grow, most jobs at international not-for-profits, charities, and NGOs will require their employees to have experience working abroad. This internship represents an excellent opportunity to gain on-theground experience for anyone wishing to pursue a career in international development or gain specific experience and skills in one of Azafady s core areas. The Project Development Intern will spend 6 months in the London office and 6 to 12 months in Fort Dauphin, working on project development both in Azafady Headquarters and in the field, thus gaining a full range of skills and expertise. He or she will get a valuable insight to the work of an international NGO, by experiencing both on-the-ground project management and administrative activities in Fort Dauphin and London offices. According to their skills and background, the Intern will have the opportunity to specialize in one of Azafady's three core programme areas (Community Health, Sustainable Livelihoods and Environmental Conservation), working closely with the Head of the relevant Department. The diversity of activities which will be undertaken are aimed at training a complete development professional who can successfully deal with all the tasks related to the complex world of international cooperation. The Internship will be structured as follows: 6 months internship in Azafady London office 6-12 months internship in Azafady Fort Dauphin office Duties and responsibilities: The intern will assist Azafady's Project Development Coordinator and work in collaboration with Azafady Malagasy staff in the following activities: Researching new funding opportunities and potential donors (through internet-based and other research into potential sources of donor funding for Azafady s existing and future projects in the fields of Health, Livelihoods and Environment) Compiling a detailed database on said donors including information on fields of interest and grant-giving requirements Working with the Project Development Coordinator in development of new project proposals in line with donor requirements Assisting in project implementation Monitoring and evaluating existing projects Assisting the Project Development Coordinator in reporting on projects as required by the various funding organisations and bodies Tailoring generic information to meet individual needs Supporting Azafady s Project Development Department to carry out the Departmental strategy in the fields of Health, Livelihoods or Environment Attending meetings with Azafady s project partners and stakeholders where appropriate Reporting to the Project Development Coordinator and Director of Programmes & Operations Other tasks as requested by departmental heads Contract type: Voluntary, unsalaried internship with Azafady Ltd Contract duration: 12 to 18 months - the 6-month internship in Azafady London office can be either full or part time (2 to 5 days a week) depending on candidate's specific needs and circumstances. Location: - Azafady Ltd, Studio 7, 1a Beethoven Street, W10 4LG, London - UK - ONG Azafady, Fort Dauphin, Madagascar Reporting to: Head of Project Development Department, Azafady Ltd; second line of reporting to Country Director of Programmes & Operations Line management responsibilities: Junior staff and volunteers in the Project Development Department
Required skills: The successful applicant will: Hold or be studying towards an undergraduate degree in or relating to international development Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in development and/or conservation issues facing least developed countries such as Madagascar; previous experience living or working in a developing country would be an asset Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in community development in at least one of Azafady s 3 core areas (Health; Livelihoods; Environment); previous experience of community work would be an asset Have excellent analytical skills, with demonstrable ability in gathering and assimilating facts and data from various sources, compiling documents (reports and proposals) and identifying lessons learned and best practice Be able to conduct internet research into potential donors for project funding Be capable and comfortable adapting to life in a least developed country, in basic living conditions without many of the luxuries associated with Western society Be able to adjust to life in another culture and a foreign language, working at all times with cultural sensitivity Have excellent communication skills, including a sound ability to adapt material for different audiences Be able to work both independently and as part of a team Be fluent in English (written and spoken); working knowledge of French would be a strong asset Be able to financially support their self for the duration of their internship (advice on individual fundraising available) Be equipped with a laptop computer Acquired skills: The Project Development Intern will have the opportunity to acquire the following skills: Knowledge of how a small grassroots NGO operates Ability to work within a multi-cultural environment Efficient teamwork skills Understanding of the resource needs of rural communities in less economically developed countries Understanding of how poverty affects conservation Understanding of sustainable livelihood strategies in impoverished areas Experience interacting with large multinational donors and NGOs Experience working with governments towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals Basic understanding of Malagasy language Fundraising skills Project development skills Administrative skills Reporting skills Anyone interested in applying for this position should send a detailed CV and a cover letter explaining how their skills and experience match the requirements in the Job Description to Mark Jacobs, by email or by post. Azafady Ltd Studio 7 1a Beethoven Street London, W10 4LG Tel: +44 (0) 20 8960 6629 Email: mark@azafady.org More information on the work of Azafady can be found at www.azafady.org