AFRO-NETS> AfricaLink Partnership (2)

AfricaLink Partnership (2)
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The response to the AfricaLink Partnership was overwhelming and quite
unexpected. 70 applications were received. Last year there were 18.

Actually I am not really surprised. I know very well that there is a
wealth of talent in Africa and also from Africa in educational institutions
abroad.

And there are quite a few non-Africans who would jump at the chance to work
there and participate in the growth of information technology
infrastructure. I've often asked my Peace Corps friends why there is not a
Peace Corps program focusing on applications of IT to schools, rural
clinics, and so forth. (Hint -- I know someone who would be happy to
direct it!)

So, what to do with all these applications? I have a budget for at most
two "Partners". How about you folks working in other programs -- the IDRC,
the Bank, UNDP, RIO, etc. I expect to spend $10,000 per "Partner" (max
$4000 airfare, $6000 subsistence allowance for 10 weeks). That's not
terribly expensive when considered against all the donor monies that are
being allocated in this business.

Actually the bigger investment is of my management time, but I expect the
"returns to investment" will be quite large. I was certainly well pleased
with how this program went last year.

These internships need not be based directly with a donor. A donor might
contribute funds to place an intern with an ISP anywhere. Indeed, I am
already firmly braced to receive criticism from some that these funds would
be better spent in Africa.

With permission from the applicants (which I would of course seek in
advance), I would be happy to pass along these applications to others. If
interested, do be in touch.

The deadline for applications to participate in the AfricaLink Partnership
was April 30. Those applicants who have provided an email address will be
acknowledged today by personal email. Other applicants will be notified by
mail upon completion of the selection process.

Below is a list of applications received, with the country, number of
applications, and initials of the applicant. I'm using only initials in
order to protect the privacy of the applicants. Country names are generally
the nationality of the applicants, but in some cases represent the African
country of interest of the applicant if any was expressed. The nationality
or interest of the applicant was not always clear, and in any event isn't
really relevant, so is listed here merely for identification purposes.

If you submitted your initial application on time and do not see your
initials listed, do contact me with evidence of initial submission.

BJ Benin 2, IL, MZ
CI Ivory Coast 2, ODG, EP
ET Ethiopia 11, HA, SAA, YA, YB, TB, DB, GB, TG, KM, YN, GBY
GH Ghana 5, NA, KA, WAD, PAO, KAT
GN Guinea 1, DK
KE Kenya 9, BL, RM, ROM, JM, AMM, FM, FLN, MN, WMN
ML Mali 1, KH
MW Malawi 1, RN
MZ Mozambique 1, AU
NE Niger 1, PG, HG
NG Nigeria 1, DG
SD Sudan 3, FA, IAE, SMI
SL Sierra Leone 4, ABG, ACR, ASK, DCL
SN Senegal 3, ALN, GPO, MS
SO Somalia 1, YIM
TD Chad 1, FA
TZ Tanzania 2, JKB, NM
UG Uganda 15, NC, VK, SKB, KK, MKM, PM, AM, FM, RN, RN, RNN, BP, GNS, CBS,
              SM
US United States 2, DK, JS
ZA South Africa 1, PBC
ZW Zimbabwe 1, ETB

I expect a decision no later than May 15. The earliest possible starting
date will be June 9, with arrival in Washington as early as June 7.

Next year there may be an additional short-term "partnership" for a person
seeking to gain significant experience in human resource management,
including the processing of applications... :wink:

Cheers!
Jeff

1111 North 19th Street Suite 210
Arlington, VA 22209 USA
Tel +1-703-235-5415
Fax +1-703-235-3805
http://www.info.usaid.gov/alnk
mailto:AfricaLink@usaid.gov

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