Project Development Internship-London, United Kingdom

Position Overview:

Based in Azafady’s office on the stunning south east coast of Madagascar you will work alongside both a local and International team. It will provide you with a unique insight into the operations of an international NGO and as well as giving you experience in remote, field-based project development and administration. Predominantly office based the role will give you experience of a range of activities providing a complete training for someone looking to enter this field and gain overseas experience. The position includes an initial orientation in the London headquarters.

Focus: Proposal / report preparation, editing and writing; information formatting; development of new toring & evaluation of current projects; donor communications; liaison with the London project development team.

Required skills:

The successful applicant will:

·Hold an undergraduate/Masters degree in or relating to international development, or have equivalent experience

·Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in development and/or conservation issues facing least developed countries such as Madagascar; previous experience living or working in a developing country would be an asset

·Demonstrate sound knowledge and keen interest in at least one of Azafady’s three core areas (community health; sustainable livelihoods; environmental conservation); previous experience of community-based work would be an asset

·Demonstrate a keen understanding of Azafady’s operational approach ethos

·Have excellent analytical skills, with demonstrable ability in gathering and assimilating information from various sources, compiling documents (reports and proposals), and identifying lessons learnt and best practice

·Have excellent written communication skills, and previous experience writing proposals and reports

·Be able to work to tight deadlines in an organised manner and to a high standard

·Have a sound ability to adapt material for different audiences

·Be able to conduct internet research into potential donors for project funding

·Be capable and comfortable adapting to life in a least developed country, in basic living conditions without many of the luxuries associated with Western society

·Be able to adjust to life in another culture and a foreign language, working at all times with cultural sensitivity

·Demonstrate proven ability to recognise and appropriately deal with challenging situations

·Be able to work both independently and as part of a team

·Be fluent in English (written and spoken) and be able to write engagingly and clearly; working knowledge of French would be a strong asset

·Be able to financially support themself for the duration of their internship (advice on individual fundraising available)

·Be equipped with a laptop computer

Location: Fort Dauphin, Anosy region, Madagascar

Timeframe: 12 months extendable

Probationary period: 3 months

Contract: Voluntary, unsalaried with Azafady Ltd

Reporting to: Head of Project Development

Budget: Average living costs for 12 months are £3,000, not including international and internal flights, l insurance.

If you are interested in this position, send a detailed CV and covering letter explaining how your skills and experience match the requirements in the job description to[email protected] by 21st March, 2014

Regional background:

Madagascar is one of the most impoverished and least developed countries in the world, ranking 151/187 in the 2011 UN Human Development Index. Only 27% of the population live in urban areas, with the majority of the people working in subsistence agriculture in remote rural communities. The people of Anosy in the south east of the island are among the poorest in the country, with over 90% of the population living below the international poverty line ($1.25 / day). Anosy is one of the most isolated regions in Madagascar, and years of little or no state investment in basic service delivery has allowed extreme poverty to worsen. Education and health facilities are seriously underfunded, and the region suffers some of the highest levels of illiteracy and illness in the country. As many as 4 in 10 children die before their fifth birthday in some rural villages primarily due to inadequate water and sanitation provision (Ministry of Health, 2011) while recurrent food security crises contribute to the regional average of 60% of children who suffer from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition.

Madagascar is also one of the planet’s most significant biodiversity hotspots. Approximately 4% of the earth’s flora and fauna species are found within this 0.4% of the planet’s land surface; the general level of endemism in plants and animals is estimated at over 80%, with many species yet to be named or even discovered. The Manafiafy littoral forest, a habitat designated as being of highest conservation priority in Madagascar, is located in the Anosy region. It is home to endemic and endangered chameleons, lemurs, birds and palms. Increasing demands for fuelwood, timber and the practice of tavy (shifting agriculture) means that the remaining forest is seriously fragmented and now covers just 1,950 hectares. Although a local stewardship mentality is evident it is also clear that conservation policies have been imposed from above with little or no community consultation, impacting negatively on those already greatly impoverished. Protected areas, although important for conservation, are negatively impacting local communities by restricting access to vital livelihood resources: fines are imposed for tavy, people walk many kilometres further every day to find fuelwood, and pressure has increased on unprotected forest fragments. Protection alone does not address what drives forest degradation: forest-dependent communities lacking access to alternative resources.

Tolagnaro (or Fort Dauphin), where Azafady is based, is an isolated town in the south east of the island, home to some 60,000 people. The population of this small town has rapidly grown in recent years as impoverished people migrate from rural areas in search of some form of employment. With the initial construction phase of a huge mining development now over, however, the job opportunities associated with its development are inaccessible to the majority of the local population and unemployment is a massive issue. While the government has adopted a detailed strategy paper for poverty reduction (MAP – Madagascar Action Plan), Anosy’s isolation means that little has changed, continuing to follow the precedent of years of no upkeep of existing – or provision of new – transportation / communications infrastructure.

Organisational background:

Azafady is an award-winning British registered charity (number 1079121) partnered with an independent Malagasy NGO. The organisation works within Fort Dauphin and surrounding rural communities across the Anosy region of south east Madagascar. Azafady works with and in support of village communities, aiming to tackle the immediate effects of poverty, support long-term development and protect the environment. Its central mission is to build local capacity to lead and support effective conservation and sustainable development initiatives, securing local community access to quality health, education and livelihoods assets, and increasing local capacity to conserve and manage natural resources including unique but greatly endangered forest environments.. At the heart of Azafady’s work is an integrated approach to community development and environmental conservation, sensitively built around what are directly expressed as the most pressing needs of the local population and which maximises their participation. Project activities are focused on the fields of health and sanitation, livelihood diversification, and natural resource management as priority intervention areas for the region identified with the participation of local communities. All projects align with and contribute to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It is estimated that more than 100,000 people have benefited from Azafady’s projects over the past decade.

Azafady has over 15 years of project experience in the Anosy region, during which time the organisation has grown hugely in size and reputation. Azafady Ltd employs 3 staff members in the London office who are responsible for strategic planning, financial management, international awareness raising, fundraising, and promoting Azafady’s international volunteer schemes. The local NGO now employs over 60 Malagasy personnel, who are supported in country by 2 expatriate permanent staff of Azafady Ltd (Director of Programmes & Operations and Head of Project Development) and through a network of international specialist volunteers sourced by Azafady Ltd. The NGO works across rural and urban commune within Anosy, and is a recognised regional specialist at community capacity building. Azafady has funding relationships with numerous donors including Comic Relief, AusAID and the Big Lottery Fund, and collaboration agreements with government ministries, international NGOs including CARE International and agencies such as the World Food Programme.

Email your CV and a covering letter to [email protected]