FYI...

Wanted: A Few Good Women and Men for the Scott Family Liberia Fellows

Applicants should submit a cover letter of no more than two pages describing key qualifications, areas of expertise, and career objectives, along with a CV/resume, and two reference letters by April 11, 2007 to: David Pyle, PhD. Senior Associate, JSI dpyle@jsi.com.

Want a challenge? Here is your chance -- or a chance for someone you know -- to get directly involved in helping a key African country get back on its feet after years of civil war and incompetent management.

Liberia’s civil war killed over 270,000 people, destroyed basic infrastructure, and left the country in ruins. But in January 2006 Liberians inaugurated Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as president -- the first woman elected head of state anywhere in Africa. Under her leadership the government has increased revenues by 40 percent, turned on electricity and water to parts of Monrovia for the first time in 15 years, cracked down on corruption, begun to rebuild roads, and quadrupled primary school enrollments.

Yet the government faces huge challenges, including severe capacity shortages at the sub-ministerial level, since many skilled civil servants were either killed during the war or fled the country.

The Scott Family Liberia Fellows Program [http://www.cgdev.org/content/article/detail/13304/]will make a small but vital contribution to partially filling the capacity gap. Under the program, approximately five to six fellows will work for one year over the next three years as special assistants to key government ministers and other senior officials in the government of Liberia. The program is funded by a generous $1 million contribution from the family of CGD founder Ed Scott. http://www.cgdev.org/section/about/board/scott

Typical fellows will be young professionals with Masters degree-level training (e.g., an MBA, MPP, MPH, or a law degree) and one year of related experience, or a Bachelor's degree with at least three years of related experience.

Fellows need to be willing to work hard; be flexible and energetic; do whatever is asked of them to get the job done; be idealistic enough to think that maybe, just maybe, the world can be a better place; and be willing to roll up their sleeves and jump in with two feet.

Is that you? Is it someone you know?

If you think it is time to live an adventure and help change the world (or at least one small part of it), then take the plunge. http://www.cgdev.org/content/article/detail/13304/


Applications being accepted for Scott Family Liberia Fellowships (employed through JSI Research and Training Institute)

March 21, 2007

The Government of Liberia, working in cooperation with the John Snow, Inc. Research and Training Institute (JSI R&T) and the Center for Global Development (CGD), and through the generosity of the family of Ed Scott, is seeking approximately 5-6 Fellows to work in Liberia for one year. The Fellow’s role will be to provide timely and effective support as “special assistants” to senior Liberian government officials, primarily Cabinet officials, in a wide range of areas and activities.

The Scott Family Liberia Fellow’s responsibilities will vary from position to position and will depend on the specific senior official with which they work, but generally will include:

· Coordinating and communicating within the Ministry/Agency, across other government agencies, and with major international agencies;
· Providing research, analysis and advice to the senior official on selected substantive policy issues;
· Drafting policy papers;
· Drafting talking points, speeches, letters, notes, correspondence, etc.
· Taking notes and keeping records of meetings, and ensuring follow-through by key personnel on policy decisions;
· Helping the senior official to manage his/her schedule, set priorities among commitments, and delegate responsibilities where possible;
· Assist in building the capacity of a Liberian to assume similar responsibilities over time; and
· Other duties as required.

The successful candidate must possess the following qualifications:

· Masters (or law) degree with at least one year of relevant work experience; or B.A./B.S. with a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience.
· Strong communication skills
· Strong proficiency in writing
· Flexibility and Outstanding organizational skills
· Ability to work effectively under pressure, and to work in a behind-the-scenes, supportive role
· Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of developing country issues and/or prior experience interacting with important organizational constituencies.

Fellows will be employees of JSI R&T, a leading international public health organization, but will report on a daily basis to the relevant senior government official. They will receive a salary of $35,000 with housing allowance, health, dental, and evacuation insurance, and will be expected to work in Monrovia for one year. Fellowship assignments will begin in July 2007 and end in June 2008. Fellows will be expected to complete a short paper on their experiences by the end of their assignment.

How to Apply:

The application process is being managed by JSI R&T (not by CGD). Applicants should submit a cover letter of no more than two pages describing key qualifications, areas of expertise, and career objectives, along with a CV/resume, and two reference letters by April 11, 2007 to: David Pyle, PhD. Senior Associate, JSI dpyle@jsi.com.

JSI R&T and CGD are committed to attracting and maintaining a diverse and dedicated workforce. Minorities, women and developing country nationals with I-9 employment status are encouraged to apply. Liberians are especially encouraged to apply.

Please use the title "Scott Family Liberia Fellows" in all e-mail correspondence. No phone calls please.

President Sirleaf announced the Scott Family Liberia Fellows program during a speech at a CGD event on February 12 (see press release). For more information, see the Program Description. http://www.cgdev.org/doc/about/Scott_Family_Fellows.pdf%20
Press release: http://www.cgdev.org/content/article/detail/12621/

Thanks! If I got paid 35,000 U.S. Dollars to work back home in Ghana I would do it in a heart beat. 35,000 U.S. dollars can go a long way. This sounds fairly interesting and I will look into this position.

I believe Liberia is going to turn the corner with the leadership of there strong president Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.