AFRO-NETS> Call for SHARED Africa Short Term Consultants

[Stephen K Chandiwana <SChandiwana@HSRC.ac.za>]

Call for SHARED Africa Short Term Consultants
---------------------------------------------

1. Background to SHARED Africa http://www.shared-global.org/

The present application of SHARED is derived from an European Union 
Concerted Action called Scientists for Health and Research for Devel-
opment (SHARED) which pioneered a web-based knowledge management ap-
proach, designed to foster networking amongst health scientists and 
professionals in developing and developed regions. In this concept, 
an extremely user-friendly web interface facilitates efficient com-
munication between people and organisations, based on high quality 
information contained in underlying or connected databases. 

The secretariat of the Scientists for Health Research for Development 
- Africa (SHARED-Africa) is based at the Human Sciences Research 
Council (HSRC) and has obtained grants from the Dutch Research Or-
ganisation (NWO) and the GTZ Back-Up Initiative to promote SHARED ac-
tivities in Africa. 

The SHARED-Africa network is led by a virtual steering committee and 
one of its operational committees is a multi-country Africa technical 
team. It is planned to develop National Focal Points in selected 
countries in Africa, replicating the functions of the central secre-
tariat and apply SHARED principles to stimulate debate in a wider 
context of health research for development.

SHARED Africa network is designed: 

* to promote a user-driven, health research database facility which 
  stimulates application of research into health development includ-
  ing policy debate on issues arising from this research in Africa;
* to ensure that multi-sectoral debate takes place (for example be-
  tween persons in civil society, government or researchers working
  in the field of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria etc.);
* to ensure that pertinent research findings are explicitly followed
  and incorporated in regional and national policy frameworks devel-
  oped within the Africa region. 

It aims to achieve these goals by:

* combining the advantages of being a virtual network (relying on e-
  mail and web-based information dissemination); 
* holding regular workshops and conferences bringing together a mix
  of persons from across the region and from different sectors; and 
* the distribution of targeted information on priority research is-
  sues (generated by the development of a large database of priority
  health research projects such as on HIV/AIDS, researchers and in-
  stitutions across the African region).

2. Specifications of Consultancy Services Required

The SHARED Africa secretariat wishes to engage immediately the ser-
vices of short term consultants qualified in areas listed below for 
periods of up to six months with the possibility of renewal. The se-
cretariat?s immediate plans are to establish SHARED in at least ten 
African countries as well as develop technical competency to train 
National Focal Points, manage a website, African mirror server, and 
review country proposals for funding.

Only individuals with one or more of the following characteristics 
and competencies will be considered. 

* Ability to train country level National Focal Points (NFPs) to cre-
  ate and regularly update an accessible research database on ongoing
  projects using the SHARED/Collexis technology including use of a
  CD-ROM.
* Ability to manage the SHARED Africa mirror server and web site
  through putting new content and respond to queries by users.
* Have adequate information technology expertise to launch an online
  journal, as well as coordinate work of the Steering Committee,
  Technical Team and Network members.
* Willing to work in a multi-cultural environment where team-work is
  highly important.
* Ability to lead advocacy workshops and seminars on SHARED including
  follow up meetings and further training.
* Ability to travel and arrange short term training in one or more of
  the following countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia,
  Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and
  Zimbabwe.

APPLICATIONS

Consultants should provide clear statements of their technical capac-
ity to undertake specific aspects of the advertised work and should 
include their preferred countries and/or areas of operational compe-
tency. In addition they should include a letter of motivation, a CV, 
examples of related work experience and training, and evidence of key 
relevant demonstrable skills such as projects successfully accom-
plished. Consultants should also provide contact details of three 
referees, and current consultancy rates per hour. Only individuals 
including the above information will be considered. Consultants can 
be based in their countries but will be expected to attend briefing 
sessions with the SHARED Africa coordinator before and after their 
assignments.

Applications should be submitted to the Coordinator: 
Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Alliance
HSRC, Private Bag X41, 
Pretoria 0001, South Africa

or delivered to 
Room 819, HSRC Building
134 Pretorius Street
Pretoria, South Africa

or by e-mail
mailto:schandiwana@hsrc.ac.za

Enquiries (not applications or CVs) may be directed to 
Mrs Florence Phalaste 
Tel.: +27-12-302-2342

The closing date for this call for consultants is the 25th February 
2003.

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