TAJUDEEN ABDULRAHEEM VISITING FELLOWSHIP IN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES Competitive Examination IDEP, Dakar (Senegal)

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1 UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES AFRICAN INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING INSTITUT AFRICAIN DE DEVELOPPEMENT ECONOMIQUE ET DE PLANIFICATION (IDEP) TAJUDEEN ABDULRAHEEM VISITING FELLOWSHIP IN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES Competitive Examination IDEP, Dakar (Senegal) LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT PLANNING CALL FOR CANDIDATURES B.P CP Dakar, Senegal Tel.: (221) Fax: (221) Web site: 1

2 TAJUDEEN ABDULRAHEEM VISITING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME IN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES SELECTION EXAMINATION LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT PLANNING 1. INTRODUCTION The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) is launching a call for candidatures for its fellowship programme addressed to researchers and civil servants working on historical and contemporary policies for the management of the economy and on development challenges and experiences of the African continent. Within the framework of this programme, the grantees will have to deal with specific and relevant research issues on African development policies at the regional, sub-regional or national levels, in general, and on long-term development planning in Africa, in particular. IDEP has dedicated this fellowship programme to the memory of the late Dr. Tajudeen Abdulraheem ( ), a Pan-African development specialist and activist. The programme is designed for researcher(s) from universities, specialized research institutes, focus groups, and civil society organizations with a solid experience in research-action. Beneficiaries of this programme are known as Abdulraheem Tajudeen Fellows of IDEP. 2. CONCERNING IDEP The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning is a Pan-African institution which functions as a subsidiary body of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Its membership comprises the 54 African States and its head office is located in Dakar, Senegal. IDEP was the first Pan-African institution established on the continent with the aim of developing, strengthening and/or upgrading the technical abilities and skills of senior and mid-career government officials in the fields of economic management and development planning. It is mandated to assist African countries to build their human resource capacities as a necessary prerequisite for sustaining independence and promoting socio-economic development. One of the key elements of its programmes in support of Member States is organized around a portfolio of capacity building and training programmes, as well as a set of policy research and dialogue initiatives. It also provides on-demand advisory services to governments and public institutions, and serves as a forum for the exploration of alternative thinking on African development. It is with this in mind that IDEP intends to encourage experienced high level professionals to build their capacities and skills, as well as further their knowledge, by providing them with research grant opportunities, within the framework of the Institute s work programme. This initiative contributes to efforts to support the development of Member States capacities in the fields of development planning. 2

3 3. OBJECTIVES OF THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME The overarching objective of this fellowship programme is to afford professionals working on relevant economic management and development issues for various decision-making groups in Africa, an opportunity to carry out their work in a serene environment over a determined period of time. In the long term, this framework which is conducive to concentrated reflection will enable the recipient to produce a policy research report which could contribute to pushing forward the borders of development action. The programme will contribute to strengthening the bond between research and policies. The recipients of these fellowships, who are fully sponsored and supported by IDEP, are encouraged to make use of their insight and research skills to assist Africans in their effort to address some of their major concerns. More specifically, the recipients will support IDEP's running programmes on development planning in the African continent through research work, by contributing to the collection, analysis and production of data, statistics and information with a view to documenting research work on planning experiences in Africa and identifying specific challenges and good practices in the field of development planning. 4. POLITICAL AGENDA TO WHICH THE PROGRAMME CONTRIBUTES IDEP also makes its contribution, through this programme, in an attempt to meet the needs of African policy-makers and their institutions to strengthen the contribution of research in the policy formulation and decision-making processes at continental, sub-regional and national levels. Indeed, most observers agree that the interaction between research and policies is weak and that its reinforcement would be advantageous for the development of Africa. The research undertaken within the framework of the IDEP programmes should deal with key contemporary issues around development planning, in particular: The revival, in Africa, of long-term visions and plans for development: what new approaches to planning? ; Prospects for development planning at Pan-African level renewed through Vision 2063 and implementation of Agenda 2030; Development planning and effectiveness of State intervention for structural transformation on a continental scale; The need to take into account the advantages of demographic dividend in development planning; Gender mainstreaming in development planning; Role of decentralized development planning and its prospects in African countries; Integration of urbanization in development planning in Africa; Taking climate changes into account in planning; An adequate institutional architecture to support development planning in Africa; Reliable statistics through a solid statistical infrastructure to support development planning; Solid and regular mechanisms for the funding of development plans, their implementation and their evaluation; Experiences of other regions of the world in the field of development planning. 3

4 For the fellowship programme, special attention will be paid to research on the conditions of success of the structural transformation of African countries, through the following areas in relation to the above-mentioned issues: Agricultural policies; Industrial policies; Regional integration policies; Mining policies; Social policies; The promotion of equality and gender equity. 5. TARGET PARTICIPANTS This fellowship programme targets intellectuals working in public administrations of IDEP Member States and African universities, researchers associated with African research centres or working with focus groups in Africa, independent academics with strong public policy research orientation and members of the civil society experienced in research-action. The latter must have a strong interest in public policies in the field of socio-economic, environmental and political development, and more particularly in development planning. It is reserved solely for nationals of African countries. Women whose profile corresponds to the above-mentioned criteria are particularly encouraged to apply. Postgraduate students or students admitted to a doctorate programme are also invited to apply. 6. CONDITIONS The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning will provide successful applicants with: 1. A monthly stipend throughout the fellowship programme to cover their stay in Dakar (Senegal); 2. A round-trip air ticket in economy class, from their home country to Dakar (Senegal); 3. A former recipient cannot be recruited as an official of IDEP, ECA or in the United Nations system within six months of the completion of the fellowship programme; 4. The recipient must work on a predefined research project, in order to contribute to specific aspects of IDEP's work programme; and 5. Terms of reference will be developed for each fellowship to guide the recipient in his/her work throughout the programme. 7. ARRANGEMENTS, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES All awarded fellowships, regardless of duration, imply having to stay in Dakar (Senegal), where the IDEP head office is located. It is worth noting that the Institute will, on no account, be held liable in the event that unforeseen circumstances were to cause the recipient to leave before the completion of the programme. In these conditions, a written agreement between the recipient and the official in charge of the programme will be required. 4

5 Within the framework of the fellowship, the successful applicants will have access to the IDEP library and its resources, a fully equipped office, and the required administrative support. In return, they will contribute to the activity of the Institute, by carrying out analytical research and studies, writing reports and supporting other activities. They will also be required to produce research documents, reports as well as policy notes that may be published, primarily for the attention of African planning institutions. These papers focus on themes relating to development planning in Africa and their nature and format will be defined with IDEP. The Institute reserves the right to publish and disseminate these documents to a larger audience. The recipient could also be required to lead a seminar during his/her stay to contribute to the scientific life of the Institute. Within the limit of the authority delegated to him/her, the recipient will agree on a work programme defined jointly with IDEP in a specific field. The entrusted tasks, in this specific field, may include, without being limited to the collection, evaluation, interpretation and analysis of information relating to socio-economic, environmental and political development; and more particularly to development planning. The recipient will also make a contribution to the technical and orientation reports and briefing notes, participate in the organization of experts' group meetings, workshops and seminars, and will perform various tasks for the successful implementation of IDEP activities. IDEP s visiting fellowships will cover a one (01) to three (03) months' stay depending on the needs and requirements of the successful applicants and the institute. It is worth noting however that the institute will not be responsible for any expenses incurred for fieldwork in connection with research, considering that all preliminary work would have been undertaken prior to the start of the recipient s stay in Dakar. 8. SKILLS Professionalism: Thorough knowledge and understanding of socio-economic, environmental and political development issues; conceptual and strategic ability to analyse and evaluate major issues relating to development challenges in Africa, in particular, an ability to translate development information into relevant policy assessment and to carry out research with minimal supervision. Take pride in his/her work and achievements; demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter; conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, meet deadlines and achieve expected results; motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; show persistence when faced with difficulty; remain calm in crisis situation; act in the interest of gender mainstreaming and the equitable participation of women and men in all activities. Ability to plan and organize: Define clear goals compatible with the agreed strategies; prioritize activities and key tasks; adjust priorities on the basis of needs; envisage sufficient time and resources to carry out his/her tasks successfully; take into account the risks and unforeseen difficulties when planning; monitor the implementation of plans and modify them, if necessary; make the most of available time. Communication: 5

6 Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing, in particular to clearly and concisely present high-level reports to peers and other stakeholders, at the institutional, regional and international levels. Team spirit Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds, and respect for diversity. 9. QUALIFICATIONS Training: An advanced university degree (doctorate, DEA, DESS, Master's Research) in the field of economics, social sciences, quantitative techniques, environmental science, regional integration and commerce, public administration, political sciences or in a related field, is required. Possession of a doctoral degree will be an advantage. Professional experience: At least five years of experience in research work and analysis in connection with socio-economic, environmental and political development, and more particularly, in development planning; and/or other related fields, in the African context, either in the academic world, in the private sector, the public sector or the civil society, is required. An experience gained in developing countries is an added advantage. Language skills: The recipients of the fellowship must do their work in English or French, which are the two working languages of the Institute. The recipient must have a good command of English or French, both written and spoken. A practical knowledge of the other language is desirable. 10. REQUIREMENTS TO BE FULFILLED BY APPLICANTS For their application to be considered, the applicants are required to submit the following documents: i. A letter of motivation identifying the research theme on policies to be dealt with during the programme period; ii. A short concept note or a research proposal (three pages) presenting the envisaged research theme on policies and explaining the correspondence with one/several specific theme(s) of the programme; iii. A copy of the CV; iv. Copies of degrees and certificates; v. Two letters of reference; vi. vii. A certificate of the institution of origin; and A letter of authorization from the head of the institution of origin, stating clearly that the concerned is authorized to stay outside his/her institution during the fellowship programme period. This letter must also give a brief explanation of how, if the application was successful, the fellowship programme will meet an important need relating to the performance of the applicant s functions. 11. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS: For 2016 and 2017, applications for IDEP's visiting fellowship are open from 5th October 2016 to 31 st March It is however worth noting that during this period, applications will be considered until the quota of fellowships available for 2016 and 2017 is exhausted. Those 6

7 interested in the programme are therefore invited to submit their applications as soon as possible; there are plans to proceed with a first selection in November PROCEDURE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS: Applications may be submitted by electronic mail ( ) or by postal mail. Applications sent by electronic must be sent to the following address: visitingresearch@unidep.org Applications sent by postal mail must be sent to (ATTN: Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem Visiting Fellowship in Development Policies) to the following address: The Director, UNIDEP, Rue du 18 juin, BP 3186 CP 18524, Dakar, Senegal. IDEP particularly encourages the participation of qualified women in all its programmes. 7