Fellowship Positions Announcement: African Biosafety Network of Expertise


Terms of Reference (ToR)


Background: In harnessing Science and Technology for Africa, African leaders have adopted the Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) as a framework for science and technology agenda for the continent. The CPA has thirteen research and development programme areas, namely biodiversity, biotechnology, indigenous knowledge and technology, energy, water, desertification, material sciences, manufacturing, laser technology, post-harvest technologies, information and communication technologies, space science and technologies and mathematical sciences. The first cluster of these programmes which comprises biotechnology, biodiversity and indigenous knowledge and technology forms what is called the African Biosciences Initiative (ABI).


To build capacity and experience and effective networking among the available expertise and institutions on the continent on biotechnology and biosafety, NEPAD OST is establishing an African Biosafety Network of Expertise (ABNE) under the ABI. The network shall be tailored to local and regional needs in order to optimize use of available expertise and infrastructural resources at national, regional and continental levels and where need be develop additional capacity that may be required.


The objective of ABNE is to provide a platform for members of National Biosafety Committees, Institutional Biosafety Committees and staff of the plant quarantine to network and build capacities for evidence-based regulatory decision making towards implementing biosafety frameworks.


Fellowship Positions: As part of kick-off activities for this network, ABNE would like to support the development of professional career in the areas of biosafety by awarding four fellowship positions of up to one year duration in the following areas

  1. Food Safety (1)

  2. Environmental Biosafety (1)

  3. Socioeconomic considerations (1)

  4. Legal aspects of biosafety (1)

Fellowship Expectations: The successful candidate will participate in developing web-based resources in relevant areas of biosafety in Africa as identified by the target stakeholders.





Qualifications:

  • For the (1) and (2) Fellowship positions, a Masters’ degree, preferably a PhD, in agricultural biotechnology and/or other related scientific fields, as shown above, will be required.

  • For the (3) and (4) Fellowship positions, a University degree in social sciences and/law will be required.

  • A minimum of three years work experience in a public, research and/or regulatory environment will be an advantage.

  • Excellent communication and language skills in English or French, proficiency in both languages, highly desirable.

  • Willingness to travel internationally.

  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

  • Experience in working with an international organization is desirable.


Contact Details: Interested candidates should send a statement of interest (1-2 pages), Curriculum Vitae (CV) and contact details of three referees, to the following addresses:

Network Director, NEPAD\West Africa Biosciences Network (WABNet), BP 48-CP 18523 Dakar, Senegal; preferably via e-mail to: wabnet@nepadst.org.


Closing date for submission of applications: 9th May 2008.