Next Journalism:
academic writing

Deadline: 23 May 2011

CIMMYT is an internationally funded, non-profit research and training organization affiliated with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The center works to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat farming systems, thus helping to ensure global food security and to reduce poverty. Its partners include national agricultural research systems, non-governmental organizations, and advanced research institutions, both public and private, in globally-focused projects and programs. CIMMYT employs about 600 permanent staff and operates through decentralized partnerships, with offices in 13 developing countries and projects and networks in many more. In Kenya, CIMMYT is hosted by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Nairobi.

The Position

CIMMYT seeks a talented, dedicated Science Writer/Editor to help reach external audiences with pertinent technical and general information about its research maize, wheat, socioeconomics, and conservation agriculture, with special focus on sub-Saharan Africa. The Science Writer/Editor will be based at CIMMYT’s office in Nairobi, Kenya.

Responsibilities

The Science Writer/Editor will edit technical scientific publications, grant proposals, and other technical information; and write and edit non-technical material intended to increase public awareness of CIMMYT’s activities, as required.

The specific responsibilities include:

* Help develop diverse communications products, including the corporate annual report, project brochures, funding proposals, policy briefs, technical bulletins, scientific books and chapters, journal- and magazine articles, and varied content for web pages.
* Edit scientific articles, technical reports, and other documents for accuracy, clarity, style, and usage.
* Identify high interest stories throughout the Centre’s research programs and write and/or edit stories in a range of styles for dissemination in suitable formats and to various target audiences.
* Participate in communications planning and strategy development.
* Support and guide media outreach.
* Support and guide extension communications.
* As required, travel to document CIMMYT’s work on the ground, including field visits and taking still and video photography.
* Assist scientists in preparing scientific posters, presentations, and other materials.
* Select and provide photographs for use in publications and presentations.
* Assist in preparing presentations for scientific conferences and meetings.

Qualifications and Experience

* Minimum a BA or BSc in communications, journalism, literature, science, agriculture, or another relevant field, and preferably 4-5 years of work experience relating to the position.
* Strong, proven skills in English writing and grammar.
* Fluency in English and Kiswahili; working knowledge of French and/or Spanish desirable.
* A capacity to understand processes and issues related to science and technology; with a focus on issues affecting agriculture and development in sub-Saharan Africa.
* Ability to write/edit under pressure, with high accuracy and to deadline.
* Creativity, particularly in devising new approaches to publications content.
* Ability to work in a team of professionals from many countries and cultures.
* Willingness to travel within the region and, occasionally, internationally.

Terms of offer

The World Agroforestry Centre and CIMMYT are equal opportunity employers and offer a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment. We believe that staff diversity promotes excellence and strongly encourage applications from qualified women. This position is on local terms and will be for an initial period of one (1) year, renewable subject to three (3) months’ probation period, assessment of performance, continued relevance of the position and availability of resources.

How to apply

Applications for the position must include:

* A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed requirements and salary expectations.
* A detailed curriculum vitae.
* Two writing samples (preferably formally published).
* The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone, fax numbers and email addresses.

All correspondence should be addressed to the

Human Resources Unit,
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF),
PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya OR via
email: icrafhru@cgiar.org

and should indicate “Application for a Science Writer/Editor-CIMMYT” on their application letters and email submissions.

Applications will be considered through 23rd May 2011: Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: icrafhru@cgiar.org

For submissions: icrafhru@cgiar.org

Website: http://www.worldagroforestry.org; http://www.cimmyt.org

Shmoop (www.shmoop.com) is a digital curriculum company that makes learning, teaching, and test prep materials that are - get this - smart and fun. We are seeking graduate students and professionals who know there is a better way to comprehend. Due to the success of our initial subjects, we are ready and excited to include content focusing on African-American lit.

Work with an exciting and growing company doing what you love. We are looking for writers who are passionate about their subjects, are well-informed about current events and today's youth culture, and have a good sense of humor.

Requirements:

* Candidates must have strong writing, editing, and literary analysis skills.
* Recent or current PhD student with strong academic performance in undergraduate/graduate degree (or equivalent). All majors welcome.
* Areas of particular interest include African-American Literature and Poetry.
* Experience and comfort with writing for a non-academic audience, and potential/ability to write in a Shmoopy voice - fun, clear, engaging.
* Self-starting, flexible, and comfortable working independently/remotely.
* Passion for and understanding of great works of literature (classic and contemporary), as well as communicating that passion to others.

Flexible hours and location (work from home), paid per completed writing project.

When you are finally ready to change learning forever, send us your wittiest writing sample pertaining to one of the subjects listed above, making sure to include cover letter and resume.

Payment is $500 - $1000 per completed writing project.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: jobs@shmoop.com

For submissions: jobs@shmoop.com

Website: http://www.shmoop.com

Deadline: 3 May 2011

The Itupale Online Journal of African Studies will be hosting an Academic Workshop on Saturday 7th May 2011. The theme for the Workshop relates to Volume IV of the Journal, which will be published in 2012.

The Workshop features a Panel Discussion in the morning, and Small Group Discussions in the afternoon. More details on each session can be found below. Lunch will also be provided.

Please Note: Limited Places

There are only 25 places available on a first-come-first-served basis, and the terms of Itupale's funding means that priority must be given to African students studying in the UK. However, we also have a small number of places available for any UK-based post-graduate students working in an area related to African Studies.

The deadline for registration is Tuesday 3rd May 2011. To register, please e-mail Dr Sacha DeVelle: itupale@cambridgetoafrica.org

Itupale is able to cover reasonable travel expenses for African students living outside of Cambridgeshire.

If you have any enquiries, then please feel free to get in touch with our Administration Officer, Sundeep Athwal: sundeep@cambridgetoafrica.org

Itupale Academic Writing Workshop
'The Millennium Development Goals:
Directions and Results in Sub-Saharan Africa'
Saturday 7th May 2011
11.00am - 4.00pm
The Pavilion, Hughes Hall,
University of Cambridge

Contact Information:

For inquiries: sundeep@cambridgetoafrica.org

For submissions: register by emailing itupale@cambridgetoafrica.org

Website: http://www.cambridgetoafrica.org/

Deadline: 30 April 2011

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to the World Bank Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) regional Climate Change Flagship Report, "Adaptation to a Changing Climate in the Arab Countries." The report, currently being prepared by the World Bank in partnership with the League of Arab States (LAS), aims to provide information on potential climate change in the Arab region and strategic guidance on adapting to climate change.

The report is scheduled for completion early in 2012 and will summarize the literature in Arabic, French, and English, identify gaps, and describe policy options. The background documents for the Flagship Report are also expected to provide input to the Fifth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scheduled for 2013-14.

The drafting process began late in 2010 with researchers, institutions, and experts from the Arab region outlining chapters and preparing the working drafts that are presented here.

We are seeking contributions to the material included in the working drafts that can be in form of: (i) short comments and suggestions, and (ii) longer contributions that add substance to the chapter that is not currently included.

There will be a “writing meeting” in early June (1st to 5th) in Marseilles, France to prepare the First Draft of the Report ready for formal public review. Based on responses to this early working draft additional contributors will be invited to that writing meeting. Preferences will be given to early career professionals and to engaging new contributors from the full geographic range of the Arab region. Full travel and accommodation expenses will be covered for the selected contributors.

Report outline

Below, please see the chapter outline with links to the working drafts in PDF format. Remember, that these are working drafts and are thus incomplete. They are being circulated to encourage wider participation and advice. The working drafts are property of the authors, and do not reflect the official viewpoints of the World Bank or the League of Arab States.

Chapter Working Title

1 Climate Variability and Change and their Economic and Poverty Impacts
2 Ways Forward for Climatology in the Arab Region
3 Options to Reduce Water Stress
4 Improving Agricultural Production, Rural Livelihoods, and Food Security
5 Improving Livelihoods and Living Conditions in Urban and Coastal Areas
6 Improving Health in a Changing Climate
7 Gendered Adaptation to a Changing Climate
8 A Country Model for Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change

Note: Chapters 1 and 8 will be written later based on the information in chapters 2-6.

We welcome constructive comments on content, as well as suggestions for the inclusion of relevant literature (please send electronic copies if possible) and ongoing research in the region.

Please email your comments and the following information to kkatich@worldbank.org, alosos@worldbank.org and envsusdev.dept@las.int by April 30, 2011 by using this document.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: kkatich@worldbank.org

For submissions: kkatich@worldbank.org

Website: http://www.worldbank.org/

Research Experts Ltd is an academic consultancy firm specializing in writing academic essays such as term papers and dissertations.

Our clients are based in USA, UK, Canada and Australia. We are currently recruiting graduates to assists us cope with increasing demands from our clients. If you possess the following qualifications, you are highly encouraged to apply.

Salary ranges between 30,000 to 50,000 depending on your effort.

Qualifications

* A Degree from a recognized University
* Proficient in written English
* Ability to meet strict deadlines
* At least 8 hours daily access to computer and internet

If you meet the above qualifications, please send your application, CV and scanned copies of your certificates to: researchxprts@gmail.com

Reply to: job-nm57k-2297570252@craigslist.org

Be a contributor to the iPhone platform that the BBC named one of the ten best new travel apps of 2010!

Rama, a new iPhone app that guides users on historical, photographic walking tours, seeks passionate writers that can make Egypt come alive like never before.

Find Rama on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rama/id391888636?mt=8

We offer authors not only recognition for anything they produce, but also half of all revenues from tour sales. This is the opportunity to tell Egypt's story in your own voice--and to pick up some cash while doing so. For more information, visit http://www.crimsonbamboo.com or our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/RamaApp

If interested, please e-mail a brief introduction and at least one tour idea to Michael at the address above.

Compensation: Royalties (50%)

Telecommuting is ok.

Professional Writers Kenya, an academic research and writing company based in Nairobi, is in search of freelance academic writers to research on the internet and produce well-written and accurate academic essays within strict deadlines.

QUALIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS

* University degree preferable, particularly in English, Literature, Journalism or Mass Communication. Diploma holders with excellent writing skills will however be considered
* Experience of writing, preferably in academic writing, content writing, article writing among others
* Excellent writing and grammatical skills
* Ability to provide essays that are free of plagiarism
* Internet savvy
* Ability to meet strict deadlines
* Access to own computer and internet

Desirable personal qualities

* Self-motivated and proactive
* Resilient
* Flexible and adaptable
* Ability to work outside the team / office environment
* Quick-learner
* Thorough with good attention to detail
* Enthusiastic

To apply, please send us two samples of academic writing that you have done before and write a 500 word Harvard style essay on plagiarism to professionalwriterskenya@gmail.com

Deadline: 20 March 2011

Region: Western Cape - Cape Town

Do you have a curious mind and a need to learn? Do you love to translate raw information into readable and interesting content? Do communications and the proliferation of digital channels through which it can happen set your pants on fire?

Requirements

• Must pay serious attention to detail and possess an amazing understanding of grammar and spelling.
• Must possess an Honours in Marketing/Branding/English/Communications
• Must show a desire to learn and grow in a fast paced digital agency environment
• Must have the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Must have a strong interest in research and writing
• Must be a self- motivator who can work alone as well as function in a team
• And (this is rather important) you must be a team-player!

Responsibilities

• Researching, writing and editing course material for digital marketing courses
• Updating course content
• Producing writing that shows thought leadership
• Assisting in research
• Writing and editing of textbooks on eMarketing
• Proofreading of content

Benefits: Medical Aid and Pension/Provident Fund Optional. Free peanut butter & toast and Friday drinks.

Apply here.

Deadline: 7 March 2011

The Open Society Foundations are recruiting instructors of academic writing in English to teach at the Open Society Scholarship Programs 2011 Pre-Academic Summer Program in Istanbul.

There will be two summer school sessions held in 2011: the first from July 1–27, the second from July 28–August 24. Both will be identical in structure and instructors can apply to teach at one or both sessions. Instructors will be expected to attend three days of preparation as a part of each session: July 1–3 for the first session, and July 28 –30 for the second session.

The summer school program is designed to prepare scholarship finalists from Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East and Southeast Asia for graduate studies or faculty exchange programs primarily in the UK or the U.S. The curriculum is an integration of academic writing courses with intensive seminar-style social science courses. All courses will be taught in English.

Participants in the summer school take one academic writing course (2 hours a day, 4 days a week) and one social science course (1.5 hours a day, 4 days a week). Academic writing instructors will work closely with social science instructors during the pre-program preparation to coordinate their course approach and writing/research assignments. Each course is expected to have no more than 12 students. The expected total number of students attending each summer school session is approximately 100. Students attending the summer school will be entering graduate programs in a range of disciplines, including law, social work, public policy, political science, human rights, international economic theory, gender studies, sociology, and development studies.

Eligibility

The Open Society Foundations are calling for experienced teachers of academic writing in English to submit a letter of interest, CV, and sample syllabus for an intensive 3.5 week course in academic writing. Please note that final syllabi and assignments will be worked out during the three day preparation in cooperation with the social science instructors. Preference will be given to individuals with significant experience teaching in a western academic institution with experience living/teaching in the participants' home regions (Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and South East Asia). Due to budgetary considerations, preference will also be given to those who are able to travel inexpensively and conveniently to Istanbul.

In addition, the Open Society Foundations are seeking an academic writing instructor with specific experience teaching legal writing to LLM students for the July session.
Responsibilities

Academic writing instructors will teach one course lasting 3.5 weeks for each summer school session. The total number of classes will be 12 per session, with the three last days of the program set aside for instructors to grade projects and work closely with social science instructors on final student evaluations.

Teaching hours: Approximately 2 teaching hours per day for four-days a week, plus a required minimum of 2 hours a day for student consultations.

Additional responsibilities: Instructors will be called upon and are encouraged to assist with extra-curricular activities and special events during the course of each session. They will also be expected to conduct additional lectures or facilitate presentations that orient students to graduate studies in the UK and the US.
Compensation

Instructors will receive $4200 USD per summer school session, round-trip travel to Istanbul, and accommodation. Applicants should specify which session they are applying for, or whether they are applying to teach at both.

Deadline

The deadline for application is March 7, 2011.

To Apply

Applicants should submit a letter of interest, sample syllabus and CV via email to NSPSummerSchool@sorosny.org.

ISS Vacancy: Senior Researcher, African Conflict Prevention Programme (ACPP) Nairobi (Closing date: Position remains opens until post has been filled)

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is an independent and non-profit applied policy research organization with a focus on human security in Africa. Its mission is to conceptualize, inform and enhance the security debate on the continent. The Africa Conflict Prevention Programme (ACPP) of the ISS Nairobi Office works to improve and complement national, regional and international conflict early warning, prevention, peacebuilding and conflict management initiatives with a focus on the Horn, East Africa and Great Lakes region.

Senior Researcher
African Conflict Prevention Programme (ACPP)
Nairobi, Kenya

The core components of the ACPP’s activities include: organising monthly dialogue forums, experts roundtables with a view to create platform for policy debates; analysing conflict situations and providing targeted oral and written briefings to key policymakers with a view to stimulate policy dialogue and generate policy options. As an integral member of the team, the Senior Researcher must have relevant experience and expertise on the political, governance, peace and security situations in Horn, East and Great Lakes region. The successful applicant will work with a network of African governments, regional organisations, diplomatic and policy community and African research institutions in support of the advancement of the African conflict prevention capacities, peace and security agenda. In addition to working with a highly skilled team of programme and research staff, the Senior Researcher will proactively initiate and be responsible for high quality conflict/policy research, seminars and experts roundtables and interact with key organizations and partners. The successful applicant will be required to undertake primary and secondary research including conducting interviews with government officials, officials in regional organizations, the security sector, civil society/advocacy organizations, NGOs and academics and work intensely on issues of conflict prevention and regional integration.

Requirements:

* A Masters degree/PhD preferable in a relevant social science discipline such as international relations, political science, conflict analysis and resolution, peace studies, diplomacy, strategic and security studies, and or related qualification
* A minimum of five years relevant applied research experience in the field of peace, conflict and security particularly at the national, sub-regional or regional levels and international organisations
* Competency in English, French and /or other African Union Languages
* A keen understanding of Africa political dynamics and issues related to human security,
* Excellent record of publications and proven written work
* Excellent analytical research, editing and writing skills
* Good communication and presentation skills
* Ability to work under pressure in a dynamic team environment, and
* The successful candidate will be required to undertake considerable travel.

The position will be based at the ISS Nairobi Offie and the length of the contract will be for two years renewable subject to availability of funding and performance.

Salary: Salary commensurate with ISS internal salary structure.

Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

Closing date: Remains open until the position has been filled.

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should email their application including: 1) a cover letter 2) a detailed CV; 3) a writing sample; 4) two published articles; and a list of up to 3 contactable referees to nairobijobs@issafrica.org. Indicate the position applied for in the subject headline.

For further details and additional opportunities see www.issafrica.org