Next Journalism:
east africa literature

Deadline: 30 April 2011

CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR THE COMESA MEDIA AWARDS 2011

Journalists are invited to submit entries for the COMESA Media Awards in the fields of Print, Radio and Television Journalism.

OBJECTIVE: To promote the reporting of COMESA activities in particular and regional integration agenda in general.

Rules of the Competition

1. The entries shall be works which have been published/broadcast between January and December 2010 by a recognised media institution in any of the COMESA member states;

2. The entries should be submitted to COMESA Secretariat by 30 April 2011;

3. The entries submitted for the competition must be directly related to issues and activities pertaining to development and regional integration in the COMESA region;

4. Only journalists who are COMESA nationals shall be eligible to enter the competition, COMESA Secretariat staff and journalists whose media organisations are contracted by COMESA shall not be legible for the award;

5. The competition is open to individuals and not media institutions or organisations; and

6. All works entered for the competition shall be in one of the COMESA working languages, namely English and French, and submitted as published/broadcast, in the form of newspaper/magazine cuttings, audio or video cassettes.

7. Entries shall consist of the following:

(a) Print Journalism: Features/articles of a minimum 600 (six hundred) and Maximum 3,000 (three thousand) words published in newspapers, magazines and newsletters.

(b) Radio Journalism: Documentary or discussion programmes of minimum 15 (fifteen) minutes and maximum 45 (forty five) minutes duration;

(c) Television Journalism: Documentary or discussion programme of minimum 15 (fifteen) minutes and maximum 45 (forty five) minutes duration.

8. Radio and TV entries should be accompanied by a brief written summary of what the documentary is about

9. All Entries shall be accompanied by the following personal details:

Full contact details of the entrant; physical address; telephone number and, fax number and e-mail address of the entrant.

10. Entries submitted shall be authenticated through signature and official stamp by the Editor or Head of the media organisation which employs the entrant.

11. An entry shall be valid only if it is submitted on the prescribed entry form. Entry forms are available for downloading on the COMESA website www.comesa.int

12. The closing date for submission of all entries shall be 30 April 2011.

13. Selection of the best works will be decided upon by an adjudication panel to be decided upon by COMESA Secretariat

14. The adjudication of the Panel shall be final, and no communication shall be entered into between COMESA and non winners.

15. Winner shall be announced and prizes awarded at a ceremony to take on the occasion of COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government.

16. First Prize in each category carries a monetary award of US$ 2000, and shall be accompanied by a certificate signed by the COMESA Secretary General

17. The prize will be paid directly to the winner. In case of a winner being unable to be present at the Ceremony. COMESA will make arrangements to send the prize to his/her country.

Respects for Copyrights:

The work submitted by the entrants shall not be used by COMESA in any other way other than the intend purpose. COMESA shall not print, Publish, and/or play on radio or television any part of the works to be submitted for the competition without the prior permission of the publisher or the media organisation which employs the entrant to avoid any copyright infringements.

SABMiller, which has interests in 34 African countries, announced today that it will become a co-sponsor of the David Astor Journalism Awards Trust, the UK based charity which aims to promote, strengthen and support independent journalism in Africa.

Established in 2006, the Trust runs an awards programme in East Africa, searching and investing in exceptionally promising young African print journalists working in English. SABMiller's contribution will support the 2011 programme which currently operates in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and focuses on the professional development and long-term career support of the next generation of media leaders in East Africa.

The award winners take part in a three month professional development programme, tailored to their particular interests, involving secondments to newspapers in the UK and South Africa later on this year. They also automatically become career long members of the David Astor Journalism Awards peer-support network and each receives a nominal cash award of $500.

If you would like more information, please contact us. jim.meyer@dajat.org

Deadline: 29 April 2011

READ International, a student-led educational charity that distributes textbooks to secondary schools in East Africa, is delighted to announce the official launch of the 2011 Read for READ Anthology Competition, on World Book Day, 3rd March.

The Read for READ Anthology 2011 is a unique short story competition for young, socially motivated aspiring writers, and will be launched with support from the British Library. To celebrate the endless possibilities that can derive from a single book, the theme of the anthology this year is ‘The Book Effect’, and will be a collection of stories that focus on inspiration and motivation.

Entrants can submit their story for free in the Read for READ competition, get the chance to have it judged by some of the best in the industry and be published in the anthology alongside established authors and other aspiring writers. Writers that get through to the second round of the competition will have their stories published on the READ website and will battle it out for public votes. Each vote token will cost 50 pence, the cost for READ International of sending a book to a child in Africa.

As Rob Wilson, founder of READ International, says ‘It never costs READ International more than 50 pence to move one book from a UK classroom into the hands of a Tanzanian or Ugandan school child or teacher’. With over three thousand pounds raised by voting cast by the public in 2010, the Read for READ anthology raised the potential to send 1500 books to East Africa. demonstrating how a love of reading and writing in the UK can directly enable more reading and writing amongst students in East Africa.

In anticipation of sending our one millionth book to East Africa this year, the Read for READ Anthology completes the circle of young aspiring writers and global citizens encouraging a new generation of readers and writers to become more socially engaged.

Sonny Leong founder of Cavendish Publishing and Hon. President of the IPG said, “The Read for READ competition is an aspiring initiative for anyone who wants to put pen to paper, realising a dream to be published and at the same time helping thousands of East African students reach their potential.”

Guidelines:

Do you love to write? Have you always dreamt of having your work published?

READ International is offering a once in a lifetime chance to make the dreams of aspiring writers a reality.

What is Read for READ?

Read for READ 2011 is READ International's second annual exciting story competition aimed at young, aspiring writers. It will be launched on World Book Day 2011 on Thursday 3rd March, supported by The British Library, and will result in the production of a published anthology bringing together the work of aspiring and established authors.

By entering the competition, young aspiring writers will have the chance to have their writing judged by some of the best in the industry, be published in an exciting short story anthology alongside established authors whilst helping raise valuable funds to improve education in Tanzania and Uganda, inspiring the next generation of young global citizens.

How can I enter?

The theme of the competition this year is ‘The Book Effect’.

At the heart of READ International’s work in the UK and East Africa is the potential for books and education to empower, motivate and inspire young people to achieve development, drive their communities forward and make change in their world. In this competition we would like you, as aspiring writers, to write a short story on this theme. It can be the subject of the writing itself or the characters within which create 'The Book Effect' and it is up to you to explore this in your entry. Be creative as you want with the theme, and then put pen to paper and enter it into our competition for free, starting your own 'Book Effect'.

For some inspiration and to see our own take on ‘The Book Effect’ click here.

To enter, write a short story of no more than 5000 words and be as creative as you like! Enter between the launch of the competition on 3rd March and the closing date on 29th April 2011. You can enter online by filling in the online Submission Form here or by sending in your printed typescript story to us, along with a signed Postal Entry Form, to READ International, 39-41 Coldharbour Lane, Camberwell, London, SE5 9NR.

Who can enter?

Anybody over the age of 16 from anywhere in the world can enter the competition.

How does it work?

Writers that get through the initial story screening will have their stories published on the READ website for 2 months, from 10th May until 10th July 2011 and will battle it out for public votes. There are no limits to the amount of votes that can be cast, and each vote token will cost 50 pence, the cost for READ International to send one book to a school student in East Africa.

The ten stories with the most votes will then go through to the final, where our panel of expert judges will pick the winners who will be published in our Read for READ Anthology 2011 alongside stories donated by established and successful authors.

Our panel of established judges includes Scarlett Thomas, an established novelist and short story writer whose works have been translated into more than 20 languages. Shortlisted for the South African Boeke Prize and longlisted for the Orange Prize, Scarlett now teaches Creative Writing at the University of Kent, and is working on her ninth novel, The Seed Collectors'. Further judges are currently being confirmed.

How can I increase my chances of winning the competition?

Provided your story makes it to the second round you will have a great chance to influence whether or not your story makes it through to the final round to be read and judged by some of the most experienced members of the publishing and literary world. It's in your hands!

You can use Read for READ as a platform to promote your work. Harness the power of social networking sites like Facebook, Bebo and Myspace, and get everyone you know, from friends, to your mum, to your next-door-neighbour, to visit the site and vote for your story.

What is the prize?

Our panel of judges will pick three winning stories from the ten most-voted-for stories that make it to the final. The prize will be publication of the winner’s stories in the Read for READ Anthology, alongside stories donated by established authors.

The anthology will be promoted and sold through our partner organisations, including expert online book seller Better World Books.

Our supporters at the British Library will host a celebratory event to honour the winners. The winners will also have the chance to meet the judges and established authors at this event.

For more details please have a look at the competition terms and conditions.

Any queries? Contact abi.colley@readinternational.org.uk

Submissions form >>

Deadline: 28 February 2011

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa COMESA) is a regional grouping of nineteen African States which have agreed to cooperate in the development of their respective economies through regional integration and trade development. COMESA’s regional integration strategy is based on the setting up of regional policies aimed at transforming the region into a single market and facilitating the integration of its member States into the world economy.

COMESA created a Free Trade Area in 2000 and launched the Customs Union in 2008. The long term perspective is the creation of a Common Market (2014), then a Monetary Union (2025) as the preliminary stages towards the building of the African Economic Community, as enshrined in the COMESA Treaty.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified nationals of the Member States of COMESA, ACP and EU for the following vacant position at COMESA:

POST: CHIEF EDITOR- P4

This post is within the Office of the Secretary General

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Within delegated authority, the Chief Editor will be responsible for the following duties:
• Responsible for Editing all documentation produced by the Secretariat before publication.
• Compiles and produces the Annual Report. Compiles and produces reports of all the Policy Organs. Monitors the preparation of documents for the Policy Organs for subsequent submission to the Translation Unit.
• Provides final approval for printing and is responsible for press revisions of a specialized or highly technical nature.
• Inspects publications and other printed material for production quality prior to release and distribution.
• When necessary, inspects and clears key letters addressed to third parties. Prepares key statements and documents for the Secretary General.
• Performs other related duties as required.

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism:

-Excellent writing and linguistic skills; highest standards of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of submitted documents
-Good grasp of terminological and reference research techniques
-High level of versatility and professional judgement
-Tact and negotiating skills

Planning & Organizing:

-Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
-Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
-Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
-Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
-Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
-Uses time efficiently

Technological Awareness:

-Keeps abreast of available technology
-Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office
- Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks
-Shows willingness to learn new technology

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES

Leadership:

-Serves as a role model that other people want to follow
-Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives
-Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions
-Shows the courage to take unpopular stands

Managing Performance:

-Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority
-Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member
-Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills
-Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines
-Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff
-Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative
-Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff
-Appraises performance fairly

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in languages law or social sciences. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE

A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in drafting, proofreading/publishing or related field. Experience in an International Organization as a Proofreader/Production Editor will be an added advantage

LANGUAGES

Fluency in English or French is required. Working knowledge of the second language will be an added advantage

ASSESSMENT METHOD

Competency-based interview; review of CV against post requirements

HOW TO APPLY

Only nationals of the Member States of COMESA, ACP and EU are eligible to apply. Applications in the standard COMESA Application Form and copies of certificates should be sent to:

The Secretary General,
COMESA Secretariat
Ben Bella Road, Lusaka, Zambia.
Fax: +260 211 225 107

Also by email recruitment@comesa.int - use the Position Title as the Subject Title for your email. Applications should be received no later than 17:30 hours, Monday, 28th February, 2011

Link to Standard COMESA Application form >>

Deadline: 1 March 2011

The East African Business Council in partnership with East African Community is proud to announce a Call for Entries for the East Africa Media Award competition 2011.

Intended to be annual, the objective of the Award is to reinforce the critical role of the media in East Africa in moving forward the agenda of EAC integration; and to reward, recognise and encourage journalistic talent across all media disciplines in the various aspects of the EAC cooperation.

Winners of the inaugural Award will be announced at the 4th EAC-EABC Media Summit, scheduled to take place from 14-15 March, 2011 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Categories:

Submissions in the following categories are open to all practicing journalists/commentators from all the East African Community Partner States:

1. EAC Secretary General Award: (Overall winner, honouring the Best Media, whether print or electronic, that has been consistent in its coverage of EAC integration Agenda)
2. EAC Umoja Award: (honouring the Best Reporter in issues of EAC Regional Integration)
3. EABC Chairman’s Award: (honouring the Best Reporter in reporting business issues and furthering the interests of the EAC business community)
4. EAC Green Award: (honouring the Best feature Writer in matters of Environmental concern in the EAC)

Rules of Entry:

Journalists should submit three of their best articles/radio/video clips on a relevant subject of the East African Community Integration per category. Articles should be submitted in English or Kiswahili, the official languages of East African Community as spelt out in the EAC Treaty.

Work (s) submitted in any other language should be accompanied with the appropriate translations. Entries must contain complete contact information: name, address, phone and e-mail.

Eligible work(s) must have been published or aired between September 1, 2009 and February 1st, 2011. Deadline for entries is 01 March 2011. Entries which were submitted in 2009 for the period between April 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009 when the Awards were first announced will be considered.

Entries should be submitted to the East African Business Council Secretariat via E-mail: media@eabc.info or registered post to:

East African Business Council
Department of Marketing and Communications
Olorien House, Kijenge, Perfect Printers Street
P. O. Box 2617 Arusha, Tanzania. Tel: +255-27-2543047

Deadline: 9 February 2011

Call for Papers: Migration, Gender and Diversity in Eastern Africa

An International Conference by invitation at Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, Sudan

3 to 5 May 2011

Background

Eastern Africa is strongly affected by internal displacements and forced migration. The region experienced various forms of migration, flight and refuge, historically as well as contemporary, including permanent, internal and external, documented and un-documented, conflict-induced and labour transitory migration. The Sudan in particular is strongly affected by internal displacement related to conflicts in Darfur and the long-lasting north/south divide of the country. In this regard, issues of political exclusion/citizenship, the incorporation of certain groups into a particular national entity and culturalisation of conflict are of outstanding importance.

Still – and although global interest in migration processes is rising – African migration processes are underrepresented in migration research and in the global migration discourse. Migration, despite its critical relevance to Africa’s development, is often hardly recognized in academic contexts. Theorizing migration and challenging predominant images of the migrant from African perspectives, by African scholars, is not yet prevalent.

Besides, apart from the humanitarian concern for women being the main victims of forced migration related to armed conflicts and natural disasters, the gender dimension of the issue is still unaccounted for. Gender relations and women’s rights are contested areas in contemporary societies and they are at the core of discourses on modernity and tradition. On an international and national level, the state of gender equality is closely linked to development and increasingly considered one of its key indicators.

Objective

The conference aims at contributing to further develop the agenda for research accounting for knowledge and capacity building in the field of African migration research and gender studies as intersecting areas. We especially welcome papers that focus on:

 Review of the development of theoretical and methodological approaches to African migration, including the gender dimension,
 The review of prevalent research paradigms and research findings on Migration in Africa,
 Population Mobility Dynamics and Impact,
 Gender and Migration,
 Challenges of Multiculturalism, Diversity and Nation/State Building

We are pleased to announce our Call for Papers, any original research on migration in sub-Saharan Africa will be considered, preference is given to contributions on Eastern Africa and contributions addressing gender issues.

This is the final in a series of three conferences on African Migration and Gender, organized by the EDULINK partnership IMMIS. The conference will take place in Omdurman, Sudan, from 3 to 5 May 2011. For more information on the project please visit www.regionalgenderinst.edu.sd or www.immis.org. We specifically encourage young and/or international academics to apply. Conference organizers try to subsidize travel costs, accommodation and meals.

Abstracts in English, measuring 300 – 500 words, should be accompanied by a short CV including contact details. Please send your files to abstracts@regionalgenderinst.edu.sd or abstracts@immis.org until 9 February 2011. Applicants will be notified in March, full papers are due 20 April 2011.

Contact Information

RIG/DPR, Dr. Omeima Scheikh-Eldin
Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, Sudan
omeima@regionalgenderinst.edu.sd

The conference is hosted by the EDULINK Project IMMIS (African Migration and Gender in Global Context – Implementing Migration Studies) – a joint project by Ahfad University for Women (Sudan), Humboldt University Berlin (Germany), Makerere University (Uganda), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (Uganda), Oldenburg University (Germany) and Stavanger University (Norway).

Deadline: 27 November 2010

We are in need of a Translator for a 2000 words of English in to Oromo. Mail us ASAP.

Rate: 0.05 USD / Word

Submission time: 27th of November (EOD).

Payment: Within 28 Days from Invoicing Date via PayPal.

Arijit Kumar De

Mail ID: sonamoni1981@gmal.com, info@tran-solution.net

Payment: 0.05 USD per word

If your story is hot enough to be selected for publication, we will avail advance, help you edit it, and guarantee you 20% royalties from sales. We may also invite you to attend our writer’s workshops, so be sure to include your name, current address, telephone number and some information about yourself.

Submit your work to submissions@storymojaafrica.co.ke or mail your work in a softcopy (CD) to: STORYMOJA, P.O. Box 264 – 00606, Sarit Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.

Make sure that your work is submitted in 12 Point, Times New Roman, Double Spaced, Word Document.

CATEGORIES

1. Fiction – Gripping stories of about 15,000 words, of an East African identity, that reflects the way we live today, whether the story is based here or abroad.

2. Business books – Maximum length: 10,000 words. Down-to-earth writing that deals with doing business in East Africa, taking into consideration the local environment, industries, stakeholders and regulatory conditions. Business-related topics on investment opportunities in East Africa, entrepreneurial skills, the stock market, business planning, sourcing finance, marketing, etc.

3. Love – 15,000 words. Forget Mills & Boons; we want to read about our very own hunks and gals searching for love in Eastlands, the Rift Valley, on the Coast. Make us sweat, make us swoon, make us dream on.

4. Inspiration/Biography – About 15,000 words. Are you a leader in your field? Have you fought the odds, faced the worst and won? Can you put down how you did it in a concise, clear and inspiring way? If your story is powerful enough, we can help you write it.

5. Life-Changing Moments – Maximum length: 2,000 words. A story about an event in your life that profoundly affected you. A story of something that made you grow up real fast, or changed the way you work or play, or influenced how you deal with your family or other relationships, or an event that simply changed your perspective in a positive way.

6. Humour – Maximum length: 10,000 words. Do you have a funny take on life, be it about dating, tribal stereotypes, gender wars, sports, any aspect of living in our outrageous, hilarious, wonderful region? Send it in.

7. True Crime Stories – We are looking for true crime stories and scandalous sagas of up to 10,000 words. We will protect your identity if you chose to remain anonymous in the publication.

8. Mchongoano – Do you have creatively crafted mchongoanos? Can you make us laugh till our ribs crack? Send in your Mchongoano lines in Sheng, Swahili or English and we will pay you for the very best. The Mchongoanos will be compiled into a book.

9. Children’s Fiction and Materials – Children are a very important part of our society. Storymoja is sourcing for material that will help children learn to love reading, discover the world and develop their intelligence and social skills.

Deadline: 30 September 2010

CIO EAST AFRICA is the leading magazine for the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry in East Africa, published by Kommunication Ultimate Limited in conjunction with the International Data Group (IDG), a world-renowned publisher of legendary brands. CIO East Africa consists of a monthly print edition and online edition.

In our continued growth strategy, we are looking for a self-driven individual with the right attitude and relevant skills to take up the following position:

EDITOR

The successful candidate should be:

* A university graduate with a bias in IT, Communications, Journalism or a business related degree from a recognized university.
* A credible journalist with at least 5 years’ experience, three of which must have been spent as an editor or sub-editor.
* A go-getter with exceptional communication skills and a variety of contacts within the ICT sector, with a sharp business mind.
* Familiar with the production processes of both print and online publications. Strong knowledge of Joomla Content Management System.

Job Description

* Reporting to the Business Development Manager, the Chief Editor will be in charge of:
* The day-to-day running of both print and online editions.
* Generating thematic story ideas for the magazine in consultation with the Business Development Director and the Editorial Director.
* Conducting interviews with relevant sources and filing analytical pieces for both print and online editions.
* Overall supervision and mentoring of Staff Writers.
* Assigning staff writers to cover various ICT-related events.
* Ensuring that Staff Writers follow up on developing stories.
* Liaison with correspondents and columnists from across the region.
* Editing all articles from staff writers, columnists and correspondents.
* Updating the website with relevant content on a daily basis, two articles in each section.
* Planning for the production of the magazine and ensuring editorial deadlines are met.
* Liaison with professional photographers, illustrators and maintenance of a picture gallery.
* Writing a blog and an editorial for online and print editions respectively.

If you meet the above requirements, please submit your CV and cover letter indicating salary expectations, specific attainments in your professional career ,as well as contacts of three referees to: info@cio.co.ke by 30th September 2010. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

African eDevelopment Resource Centre
eDevelopment House : : 604 Limuru Road
Old Muthaiga : : P O Box 49475 00100
Nairobi : : Kenya
T +254 20 3741646/7 : : C +254 725 650044