UNECA & AIF 2012 Innovation Prize for Africa

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Innovation Foundation (AIF) are delighted to announce the first 2012 Innovation Prize for Africa (IPA). This annual prize honours and encourages innovative achievements that contribute toward developing new products, increasing efficiency or saving cost in Africa. IPA acknowledges and encourages innovators and entrepreneurs in their endeavours, since they are one group of stakeholders that have not been considered under Africa's development cooperation agenda. The prize is expected to promote among young African men and women the pursuit of science, technology and engineering careers and business applications.

The aims are to:

· Create platform for identification of innovative concepts and projects submitted by applicants that could be supported by IPA;

· Promote innovation across Africa in key sectors of interest through the competition;

· Promote science, technology and engineering as rewarding, exciting and noble career options among the youth in Africa by profiling successful applicants; and

· Encourage entrepreneurs, innovators, funding bodies and business development service providers to exchange ideas and explore innovative business opportunities.

In addition, the IPA is expected to yield the following outcomes:

· Increased commercialization of research and development (R&D) outputs in Africa;
· Increased development of start-up, adoption of new and emerging technologies and accelerate growth of an innovative and dynamic private sector; and
· Increased economic activity and development that results in long term sustainability.

The 2012 IPA will consist of two awards given to the two selected innovators/entrepreneurs in the following three thematic areas: ICTs; Green technology (energy and water); Health & Food security (including Agriculture). The first prize will be USD 100,000 for the selected best innovators/entrepreneurs, and the second Prize will be USD 50,000 for the second selected innovators/entrepreneurs. IPA is an annual event and will be carried over during 5-year period, targeting innovators/entrepreneurs in various thematic areas, to be determined by the IPA Technical Advisory committee each year.

The deadline for IPA 2012 Applications is Friday, 30th September at 24:00 GMT. The deadline is firm no extensions!

Read More Here http://ipa.uneca.org/

Athgo International Youth Climate Change and Constructive Entrepreneurship Global Forum 2011

The Global Innovation Forums bring together young people from around the world to facilitate outcome-oriented discussions with international decision-makers, corporate executives, diplomats, and area experts leading to constructive enterprise concepts. Leadership is challenged with unique and often surprising new takes on global issues while young entrepreneurs gain practical insights into policy realities, business parameters, and procedural requirements that enhance the viability of start-up ventures.

• The forums introduce:
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Essentials – process and the four pillars/capitals (intellectual, financial, networking, and inner)
    • Types (classic, social, and constructive)
  • Innovation
    • Essentials (thought process, necessary conditions, etc.)
    • Types (continuous and transformational)
  • The role of information communication technology (ICT) and sustainable energy sources in addressing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals

• The forums innovate commercially viable constructive enterprise concepts
  • Group induced
  • Individually designed

Climate Change and Constructive Entrepreneurship

Fourth Annual Global Forum
World Bank Headquarters, Washington D.C.
August 10-12, 2011
In Partnership with The World Bank, Speaker's Bureau

Read more here http://www.athgo.org

The Young Professionals Program (YPP) at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group 2011

The YPP targets motivated and talented young professionals under thirty-two (32) years of age, who are committed to making a difference on the African continent and who will spend between two (2) and three (3) years of their professional career in a multicultural, and professionally stimulating environment at the African Development Bank.

The Bank seeks individuals skilled in the areas relevant to its operations, such as infrastructure, regional integration, health, education, agriculture, climate change and environment, gender, finance and risk management, governance and private sector development.

The Bank hires approximately twenty (20) young professionals each year. Upon acceptance of offer and entry, these YPs complete a mandatory minimum of two and maximum of three rotational assignments in different organizational units and sectors within the Bank. The YPs will undergo on-the-job training that will prepare them for a successful and rewarding career path upon completion of the Program. It may be noted that completion of the Program does not guarantee a position within the Bank.

Read more here http://www.afdb.org

QUESTS MIDA

QUESTS-MIDA is a joint project between UNDP and IOM that uses skills and expertise from qualified Somali expatriates from the diaspora and provides opportunities for applying those skills for the benefit and development of Somalia.

The number of Somalis living in the diaspora has increased in size, geographical scope, professionalism and influence in the last decades. It is estimated that about one million Somalis are living abroad. QUESTS-MIDA wishes to tap into this pool of knowledge in order to assist institutional development and capacity-building of beneficiary institutions in Somalia

QUESTS-MIDA is part of the Somali Institutional Development Project (SIDP) and builds upon UNDP Somalia’s previous QUESTS project . Also, this partnership makes use of IOM’s rich experience in Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA)

QUESTS-MIDA’s objective is to offer qualified Somali expatriates the opportunity to play a role in the development of their homeland through short-term capacity-building missions.

Who is eligible to participate in QUESTS-MIDA?

Qualified Somali Expatriates
Eligibility will focus on qualifications that match the criteria per specific QUESTS-MIDA assignments such as:

• Documented evidence of living abroad with legal residency or nationality status outside Somalia, including proof of right-of-return to the same country. (Neither UNDP nor IOM will be responsible for the status determination process);
• University degree (Bachelor’s, Masters, PhD);
• Relevant work experience;
• At least 25 years of age (there may not be an upper age limit, but a medical certificate will be required);
• Somali-language proficient, as well as English;
• Ability to work in partnerships and adjust to difficult living conditions;
• Genuine interest and commitment to the development of Somalia and a willingness to share skills, knowledge and experience.

JUNIOR Applicant

• Minimum five years of relevant working experience in a professional area;

MID LEVEL Applicant

• Minimum eight years of relevant working experience in a professional area.

SENIOR Applicant

• Minimum ten years of relevant working experience in a professional area

Qualified Somali women in the diaspora are encouraged to apply to vacancies and participate in the project.

Read more here http://www.quests-mida.org/index.php/home