Location : Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Blantyre, MALAWI
Application Deadline : 07-Jan-08
Type of Contract : SSA
Languages Required : English
Starting Date :
(date when the selected canditate is expected to start) 01-Feb-2008
Duration of Initial Contract : 2 Months
Expected Duration of Assignment : 2 Months
Refer a Friend Apply Now
Background
Following the 2004 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections a UNDP between the ballot boxes programme was developed and implemented with the support of the Government of Malawi and Malawi’s development partners.
The key purpose of the technical assistance is to provide capacity building across the MEC to strengthen its ability to conduct elections, independence, accounting and procurement systems, public image, and internal and external communications capacity.
The anticipated output includes the ability to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections supported by effective and standards compliant accounting and procurement systems.
Additionally, stakeholders must see these elections as more legitimate and cost-effective with a shorter preparation time. Target elections are 2009 and beyond.
Key activities which are underway include:
* a move to a new MEC headquarters building to strengthen team building and security
* procurement of and enabling information and communications network platform to connect the headquarters and the 3 regional offices
* the implementation of a revised organisation chart
* recruitment of a long term elections adviser, and
* an in place ICT consultant
Malawi’s population is estimated at approximately 12 million.MEC’s development and deployment goal is to implement web based applications across its intranet and the internet. The primary anticipated benefit is to reduce system and application maintenance overhead on client workstations by accessing applications via a web browser.
These are significant goals and benefits as the requirement is to have client workstations at any location in the country, local as well as remote, within a secure network.
The primary target for 2007 and 2008 is to implement a MEC intranet across headquarters and to its 3 regional offices which can easily extend to the 28 districts as supporting infrastructure becomes available. Internet coverage extends to the 3 regions but does not completely cover the country.
Duties and Responsibilities
* Easy website content maintenance (addition, update, archival) by authorised end users
* Website role based login supporting different access levels
* Secure intranet website framework
* Secure extranet website framework
* Secure internet website framework
* Performance tuned websites A technical framework specification developed together with Malawi Electoral Commission’s ICT Manager and the ICT Consultant
* Identification of Malawi Electoral Commission(MEC) staff skills gaps with recommended remedial action
* Full technical reference documentation covering all aspects of the technical implementation
* Fully trained Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) ICT Department staff to permit site maintenance and development within MEC after the consultancyalawi Electoral Commission (MEC)’s development and deployment goal is to implement web based applications across its intranet and the internet.
* The primary anticipated benefit is to reduce system and application maintenance overhead on client workstations by accessing applications via a web browser.
* These are significant goals and benefits as the requirement is to have client workstations at any location in the country, local as well as remote, within a secure network.
* The primary target for 2007 and 2008 is to implement a MEC intranet across headquarters and to its 3 regional offices which can easily extend to the 28 districts as supporting infrastructure becomes available. Internet coverage extends to the 3 regions but does not completely cover the country.
Competencies
* Demonstrated ability to work with little supervision
* Demonstrated ability to work within a team
* Demonstrated ability to build client staff capacity through structured knowledge transfer
* Demonstrated experience with administering and securing multiple Windows 2005 SQL Server instances environments
* Demonstrated ability to work with the tools outlined in the technical environment above
* Demonstrated experience with SharePoint server would be an asset
* SADC region work experience would be an asset
Required Skills and Experience
* Minimum of 5 years experience as a corporate database administrator
* Minimum of a BSc in Computing and Information Science
* SQL Server 2005 database administration certification would be an asset
Thursday, 27 December 2007
Taiwan guards against changes in ties with Malawi
Taipei, Dec. 27 (CNA) Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang admitted Thursday that there are some "unusual signs" in diplomatic relations with Malawi and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is on "high alert" following reports that China is trying to lure the country away from Taiwan with a promise of US$6 billion in aid.
Speaking to reporters after a swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed Representative to Hungary Stanley Kao and Representative to Jordan Lin Jinn-jong, Huang said that although the US$6 billion is a "fictional, even astronomical figure, " the MOFA "cannot guarantee 100 percent" that relations between Taiwan and Malawi will not waver.
Very few countries can resist such temptation, therefore it is now crucial for Taiwan to keep communicating with the Malawian authorities, he said. Nevertheless, he went on, the government will not raise the stakes for Malawi, as doing so would be "meaningless."
Noting that the 41 years of diplomatic relationship between Taiwan and Malawi is built up on bilateral cooperation and partnership, the MOFA hopes there will not be any changes and is striving to cement diplomatic ties, Huang added. (By Rachel Chan)
Speaking to reporters after a swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed Representative to Hungary Stanley Kao and Representative to Jordan Lin Jinn-jong, Huang said that although the US$6 billion is a "fictional, even astronomical figure, " the MOFA "cannot guarantee 100 percent" that relations between Taiwan and Malawi will not waver.
Very few countries can resist such temptation, therefore it is now crucial for Taiwan to keep communicating with the Malawian authorities, he said. Nevertheless, he went on, the government will not raise the stakes for Malawi, as doing so would be "meaningless."
Noting that the 41 years of diplomatic relationship between Taiwan and Malawi is built up on bilateral cooperation and partnership, the MOFA hopes there will not be any changes and is striving to cement diplomatic ties, Huang added. (By Rachel Chan)
Ties with Malawi, Panama stable: MOFA and Panama FM
Taiwan's diplomatic ties with Malawi and Panama remain stable.
On Thursday Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press conference that Malawi pledges no change in diplomatic ties, despite the fact that two Malawian ministers had visited China. China forbids its allies from recognizing Taiwan. If Malawi switches diplomatic recognition to China, it will break ties with Taiwan. The Taiwanese foreign ministry said it would closely monitor any future developments.
In related news, Panamanian foreign minister Samuel Lewis said on Wednesday that Panama maintains close relations with Taiwan while developing economic ties with China. Lewis' remarks came as a response to recent Taiwanese media reports that Panama faces great pressure from China.
On Thursday Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press conference that Malawi pledges no change in diplomatic ties, despite the fact that two Malawian ministers had visited China. China forbids its allies from recognizing Taiwan. If Malawi switches diplomatic recognition to China, it will break ties with Taiwan. The Taiwanese foreign ministry said it would closely monitor any future developments.
In related news, Panamanian foreign minister Samuel Lewis said on Wednesday that Panama maintains close relations with Taiwan while developing economic ties with China. Lewis' remarks came as a response to recent Taiwanese media reports that Panama faces great pressure from China.
Crocodiles Make Fetching Water a Life Threatening Experience
Many communities around the world may take water for granted; but for those living along Malawi's longest river, the Shire, water is something to die for. The 400 kilometre long river is the main outlet of Lake Malawi as it flows south into the Zambezi River.
While the Shire River is the most convenient water source for people living on its banks, it is also home to killer crocodiles. Women and children, required by tradition to fetch water for their households, are most at risk from the crocodile attacks.
"In one area in Machinga, locals estimate almost three deaths a month," states the United Nations Development Programme's 2006 Human Development Report on Malawi.
Agnes Wilson, now in her late 50s, survived a crocodile attack seven years ago while fetching water from the Shire River in the south of the country. She escaped with her life but lost the use of her right arm.
"The crocodile attacked me just as I dipped the bucket I was using to draw water into the river. The beast tried to drag me to the deep end (of the) river, but I was luckier than others who have died. I was rescued by some men who were passing by," she recalls.
Despite almost losing her life, Wilson braves the crocodiles every day to fetch water. There is no other option for her and her community; the borehole nearest to her village is 15 kilometres away.
"I have just accepted the risk I face every time I go to the river. Either I die of thirst or die while trying to fetch water...I may die fighting for survival if a crocodile attacks me again," says Wilson.
There are no statistics available for the crocodile population in Malawi, but people like Wilson claim there are many, especially in the Shire River.
Traditional leaders in the south of the country, especially those from the Lower Shire Valley, have accused government of caring more about crocodiles than human beings.
Malawi is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which limits the culling of various animals, including crocodiles. Before the country signed up to CITES in 1982, it used to kill about 800 crocodiles annually; under the agreement, this number has now been reduced to 200 per year.
WaterAid, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) that helps the world's poorest people gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education, indicated in a 2003 study that up to 44,000 people in the area had no access to safe water and had to resort to the crocodile-infested river for their water needs.
A programme officer for WaterAid in Malawi, James Longwe, says he knows of three women in Machinga who have been seriously injured by crocodiles while fetching water.
"One of the women lost an arm, while the other two have very deep wounds on different parts of their bodies following the attacks," says Longwe.
He says that some communities have lost count of the number of people who have been attacked by crocodiles.
Longwe adds that WaterAid, in partnership with local assemblies and a local NGO called Target for National Relief and Development, is helping communities at risk of crocodile attacks to have access to safe water by providing a gravity-fed water supply.
"We have managed to provide...safe water to 18,000 people. We hope to reach every one of the 44,000 people in need of safe water by the year 2011," says Longwe.
Crocodile attacks are not the only dangers facing communities along the Shire River.
The water quality from the river is itself poor: waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and dysentery are perennial problems in the area.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) recorded over 4,000 cases of cholera, a disease associated with poor sanitation, and lack of hygiene and access to potable water, in the Shire region over a three month period last year.
In its planned Humanitarian Action Report for 2007, UNICEF says it is supporting cholera prevention awareness campaigns, helping construct and rehabilitate wells and sanitary facilities in 400 schools and 150 community-based childcare centres, and undertaking sanitary surveys of water sources.
The agency also says that it is providing buckets with messages in local languages about the safe handling of water and disposal of excreta and solid waste, providing soap and detergents -- and disseminating hygiene messages on prevention of cholera and other diseases.
The Malawi Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Report 2007 indicates that the country is making good progress towards reaching the MDG target which calls for the reduction by half of the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.
The report states that access to water resources has significantly improved, from about 47 percent in 1992 to 75 percent in 2006.
"At this rate of change, the projection shows that by 2015 about 94 percent of the population will have sustainable access to an improved water source, which is above the MDG target of 73 percent," says the report.
While the Shire River is the most convenient water source for people living on its banks, it is also home to killer crocodiles. Women and children, required by tradition to fetch water for their households, are most at risk from the crocodile attacks.
"In one area in Machinga, locals estimate almost three deaths a month," states the United Nations Development Programme's 2006 Human Development Report on Malawi.
Agnes Wilson, now in her late 50s, survived a crocodile attack seven years ago while fetching water from the Shire River in the south of the country. She escaped with her life but lost the use of her right arm.
"The crocodile attacked me just as I dipped the bucket I was using to draw water into the river. The beast tried to drag me to the deep end (of the) river, but I was luckier than others who have died. I was rescued by some men who were passing by," she recalls.
Despite almost losing her life, Wilson braves the crocodiles every day to fetch water. There is no other option for her and her community; the borehole nearest to her village is 15 kilometres away.
"I have just accepted the risk I face every time I go to the river. Either I die of thirst or die while trying to fetch water...I may die fighting for survival if a crocodile attacks me again," says Wilson.
There are no statistics available for the crocodile population in Malawi, but people like Wilson claim there are many, especially in the Shire River.
Traditional leaders in the south of the country, especially those from the Lower Shire Valley, have accused government of caring more about crocodiles than human beings.
Malawi is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which limits the culling of various animals, including crocodiles. Before the country signed up to CITES in 1982, it used to kill about 800 crocodiles annually; under the agreement, this number has now been reduced to 200 per year.
WaterAid, an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) that helps the world's poorest people gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education, indicated in a 2003 study that up to 44,000 people in the area had no access to safe water and had to resort to the crocodile-infested river for their water needs.
A programme officer for WaterAid in Malawi, James Longwe, says he knows of three women in Machinga who have been seriously injured by crocodiles while fetching water.
"One of the women lost an arm, while the other two have very deep wounds on different parts of their bodies following the attacks," says Longwe.
He says that some communities have lost count of the number of people who have been attacked by crocodiles.
Longwe adds that WaterAid, in partnership with local assemblies and a local NGO called Target for National Relief and Development, is helping communities at risk of crocodile attacks to have access to safe water by providing a gravity-fed water supply.
"We have managed to provide...safe water to 18,000 people. We hope to reach every one of the 44,000 people in need of safe water by the year 2011," says Longwe.
Crocodile attacks are not the only dangers facing communities along the Shire River.
The water quality from the river is itself poor: waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and dysentery are perennial problems in the area.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) recorded over 4,000 cases of cholera, a disease associated with poor sanitation, and lack of hygiene and access to potable water, in the Shire region over a three month period last year.
In its planned Humanitarian Action Report for 2007, UNICEF says it is supporting cholera prevention awareness campaigns, helping construct and rehabilitate wells and sanitary facilities in 400 schools and 150 community-based childcare centres, and undertaking sanitary surveys of water sources.
The agency also says that it is providing buckets with messages in local languages about the safe handling of water and disposal of excreta and solid waste, providing soap and detergents -- and disseminating hygiene messages on prevention of cholera and other diseases.
The Malawi Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Report 2007 indicates that the country is making good progress towards reaching the MDG target which calls for the reduction by half of the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.
The report states that access to water resources has significantly improved, from about 47 percent in 1992 to 75 percent in 2006.
"At this rate of change, the projection shows that by 2015 about 94 percent of the population will have sustainable access to an improved water source, which is above the MDG target of 73 percent," says the report.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
