The Association for Progressive Communications (APC), in partnership with Rhizomatica, is looking for an organisation to nominate and host the Asia regional coordinator for the “Connecting the unconnected: Supporting community networks and other community-based connectivity initiatives” project. This is a project being implemented by APC in partnership with Rhizomatica that aims to directly strengthen the work of community networks, with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The goal of the initiative is to contribute to an enabling ecosystem for the emergence and growth of community-based connectivity initiatives in developing countries. It is part of a multi-year, multi-donor strategy envisaged to address the human capacity and sustainability challenges, along with the policy and regulatory obstacles, that limit the growth of community-based connectivity initiatives.
A summary of the project explaining all its components can be found here.
Main purpose of the position: The institution selected will host the proposed candidate for this position, who would lead a South and Southeast Asia regional-level coordination process around community networks and foster interregional interaction and collaboration to facilitate peer exchanges among community networks; support policy advocacy and awareness raising interventions regionally and nationally; facilitate capacity building at the community level; and participate in policy and regulatory engagements, both nationally and regionally. The duration of the position would be seven and a half months (with the possibility of an extension up to 19 and a half months based on performance).
Start date: Third week of May 2020. The selected host institution will be notified by the second week of May 2020.
Deadline extended : 01 May 2020
Reporting: The position will report to the overall project coordinator for APC’s “Connecting the unconnected: Supporting community networks and other community-based connectivity initiatives” project and work closely with other members of the project team.
Location: The applicant will work at the host institution’s premises and preferably be from and living in the South Asia or Southeast Asia region. Institutions with experience in regional networks and based in Indonesia, India and Myammar will be given preference.
Remuneration and duration of contract: The host institution selected will receive approximately USD 18,500. These funds should cover a minimum 0.75 full-time equivalent contract for the Asia regional coordinator, who is expected to work from mid-May 2020 until 31 December 2020 (with the possibility of extension to December 2021 based on performance and availability of funds).
It is expected that the host institution will receive additional funds related to the work of the regional coordinator. The exact details of the total funds and disbursement details will be discussed and included in a contract drawn up between the successful host institution and APC.
Primary responsibilities
- Coordinate, facilitate and supervise the work and travel of peer community members in Asia.
- Facilitate dialogue between peer community members and other project partners to solve community network problems, communicate and share information on the lessons learned from their activities.
- Provide support to the peer community members in Asia in writing project-based funding proposals.
- Provide oversight on the implementation and reporting of the Peer Community Member Grants and Pathfinder Grants.
- Develop and implement movement-building strategies in the Asia region aimed at improving awareness around community networks.
- Support the development of learning and knowledge development resources that are created by the peer community and select some cases as best practices for a training syllabus.
- Support project advocacy plans, including policy advocacy, globally and especially in Asia.
- Assist the project team with the development of a multi-year strategy to continue the work of the project.
Qualifications, background and experience
The following qualifications, background and experience are expected from the individual candidate proposed by the host institution:
- Experience working with local, grassroots communities or local initiatives in projects (in “rural development”, “rural connectivity”, “access development”, “community radio”, "community networks”, etc.).
- Track record as an inclusive network builder within the South Asia and/or Southeast Asia region and as a team player.
- At least three years of experience in community or rural development-related activities
- At least three years of experience in project management, including reporting and people coordination.
- Ability to plan and think strategically, in particular to revise practices and suggest solutions to ensure efficiency of the implementation of the project.
- Knowledge about policy advocacy processes and other mechanisms which enable community networks, small operators, or universal affordable access in the South Asia and/or Southeast Asia region.
- Demonstrated capacity to work autonomously and in a team setting.
- Excellent writing, documentation, filing and communication skills.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Experience working with digital technologies, in particular community networks or telecommunications-related work, will be considered a plus.
- Being conversant with feminist concepts and women’s participation will also be considered a plus.
- In similar conditions, institutions who nominate a woman candidate will be given priority.
How to apply
Interested institutions should submit an online application with the following information in English:
- A cover letter stating the qualifications of the candidate and interest in the position.
- A CV of the candidate for the position of regional coordinator. Institutions are encouraged to nominate women candidates.
- Three references for the candidate: names, relationship, contact details; at least one of these should be from a community network project that the candidate has worked on.
- Completed due diligence form, available here.
- A proposal from the interested institution stating how it intends to host the Asia regional coordination of the project. This proposal should include: details on its organisational capacity, an organisational profile (including its legal registration, organigram and past experience in managing grants and implementing other projects in the region), how it will provide support to the regional coordinator, and a budget proposal outlining the way funds will be used. The organisation selected to host the regional coordinator will not be able to receive any of the other APC grants as part of this community networks project.
About APC
APC is a global network of civil society organisations whose mission is to empower and support organisations, social movements and individuals in and through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to build strategic communities and initiatives for the purpose of making meaningful contributions to equitable human development, social justice, participatory political processes and environmental sustainability.
About Rhizomatica
Rhizomatica is a civil society organisation whose mission is to increase access to and participation in telecommunications by supporting communities to build and maintain self-governed and owned communication infrastructure. Rhizomatica's approach combines regulatory activism and reform, critical engagement with technology and the development of decentralised telecommunications infrastructure, and direct community involvement and participation.