Benin
Description
of assignments
In collaboration with the Government of Benin, which intends to
gradually build a national network of information and a mechanism of
information coordination (Intranet-like) through interlinking nine
(9) hubs from different sectorial activities -called 'Groupes
Homogènes' ('GH') that will play the role of e-information focal
points in their own sector. All the UNITeS Volunteers are
information services specialists, and will participate in the
strenghtening of their specific GH human and institutional
capacities, in order to implement a strategy of Information
Management.
One international UNITeS Volunteer based in cybercenter 'Azur
Communication', Parakou and in 'Télécentre communautaire',
Malanville, under the umbrella of Groupe Homogene 6 (NGOs and
Development Associations).
One international UNITeS Volunteer in 'Groupe Homogène 2' (Ministry
of Governmental Cooperation and Action, Planification, Development
and Employment Promotion).
One national UNITeS Volunteer in 'Groupe Homogène 3', Environment
and Rural Development.
One national UNITeS Volunteer in 'Groupe Homogène 6', NGOs and
Development Associations.
One national UNITeS Volunteer in 'Groupe Homogène 7', Media,
Culture, Arts and Tourism.
One national UNITeS Volunteer in 'Groupe Homogène 9', Health and
Social Development.
Comments
Largest initiative served by UNITeS in Africa so far.
International Volunteers from Cameroon and Guinea
Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund
Bhutan
Description
of assignments
In collaboration with the Government of Bhutan, who has launched a
comprehensive strategy to introduce the use of ICTs in many of its
official insitutions and for provision of information to the public.
These volunteers will be working in the context of a new project
focused on institutional strengthening and fraining, sponsored by
Japan.
One international UNITeS Financial Management Training specialist,
located at the Royal Institute of Management. The Volunteer (1)
assists in National IT curriculum development and design of syllabus
for IT related training within the country; (2) supports the
Institute's priority objective of designing and delivering Computer
Based Training (CBT) in all courses especially in the area of
Financial and Information Management.
One international UNITeS ICT Curriculum specialist at Sherubtse
College. The volunteer (1) supports activities for institutional
strengthening in computer sciences and application; (2) works on
strengthening human resources through staff training; (3) provides
technical expertise in software applications; (4) trains designated
College staff in effective delivery of ICT extension courses; (5)
provides guidance and support in the overall management of the
Computer Lab/Centre.
Comments
International Volunteers from Malta (expected in October) and
Australia (expected in November)
Additional assignments for UNITeS volunteers in the project (under
recruitment):
- One international ICT for Development specialist
- Three international LAN/WAN specialists
- One international ICT Training specialist
Source of funding for all: Government of Japan
Botswana
Description
of assignments
Together with the World Links for Development Programme, a World
Bank programme that links thousands of students and teachers in
secondary schools in developing countries with their counterparts in
industrialized countries and elsewhere, for collaborative research,
teaching and learning programs, using ICT. One international UNITeS
ICT technical specialist assisting in the technical coordination
strategy for all the WorLD schools in the country. Establishes a
timeline for operations. Sets communication links between regions
and identifies equipment and connectivity options.
Comments
International Volunteer from Zimbabwe.
A team of 4 national volunteers under recruitment , to train
teachers and help them bring ICT tools into the regular curriculum.
Source of funding for all: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund
Burundi
Description
of assignments
In collaboration with the initiative from Government of Burundi and
UNDP to undertake an "e-readiness" assessment to determine the
present and potential enabling environment for the integration of
ICT in the national development process in terms of infrastructure,
capacity and policies.
One international UNITeS ICT policy specialist is working together
with a Burundian colleague in this consultancy in the context of the
above mentioned "e-readiness" study. This study, commissioned by the
Burundian government through UNDP, will help the national
authorities and its international partners to have an exact vision
of the needs and potentials for IT-development in the country. The
Volunteer helps the Burundian National Steering Committee prepare a
needs assessment and will subsequently support activities necessary
to formulate a national strategy. He will further contribute to
setting up a Knowledge Management Unit in the UNDP office.
Comments
This is a short term assignment, initially set at 3 months, of a
consulting nature. It was the first UNITeS Volunteer in Africa
(started on 16 August).
International Volunteer from Madagascar.
Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund
Central African Republic
Description
of assignments
Supporting the University of Bangui, which is seeking to strengthen
its capacity to provide high-quality IT education to a growing
number of students that demand it, as well as update its own
internal and public information mechanisms. One international UNITeS
network specialist will be responsible for supporting (1) the
management of the IT-network of the university; (2) the connectivity
of the university to the Internet; (3) the establishment of a
university website; (4) the design and implementation of a training
plan for national counterparts at the university.
Comments
International Volunteer from Togo.
Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund.
An ICT Lecturer in the University of Bangui's Department of
Information Technology is also sought as a UNITeS Volunteer.
Ecuador
Description
of assignments
A new Ecuador-Peru Binational Border Zone Development Plan has been
established to improve the economy and stability of the border zones
between the two countries. People in these zones have suffered the
consequences of various military conflicts for disputed territories
in the past.
One international UNITeS information services specialist is
assisting in setting up an interactive information system supporting
the Binational Plan. The Volunteer has been given the tasks to (1)
help in setting up relational databases, connect to the Internet,
and develop web sites; (2) involve local people and CBOs in the use
of the systems; (3) work with counterparts for frequent updating of
the information; (4) assist in developing a communications strategy
for peoples on both sides of the border; (5) train local government
workers.
Comments
International Volunteer from Haiti
Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund
India
Description
of assignments
In collaboration with the Government of the state of Orissa and
UNDP. A new project has been launched in Orissa to use ICT in the
rehabilitation effort after the devastation brought by Super Cyclone
99. ICT tools to bring in transparency, accountability and much
desired efficient response mechanism in the entire rehabilitation
initiative. Also facilitation information provision and coordination
for the many agencies active there. The project will set up 8 Blocks
along the coastline, where rehabilitation work is most extensive,
with small information units which will be connected to the
Internet.
One national UNITeS ICT technical specialist is primarily involved
in the supervision of NUNV IT Facilitators assigned for the 8 Blocks
taken for integrated development. The Volunteer (1) is part of the
Inter-sectoral team at the UN House in Orissa; (2) works closely
with all the District/Block Administrations with the responsibility
for implementation of IT installation and networking projects; (3)
installs appropriate software, and develops training modules for
community leaders; (4) assists in the connection of all 8 Blocks to
the State Administration and UN House, and develops appropriate
systems for connectivity and e-administration.
Seven national UNITeS ICT facilitators primarily assist the ICT
technical specialist in setting up the information units in each
block. They (1) work closely with the block administration to
prepare a village-wise rehabilitation plan and also monitor the
same; (2) access all relevant information available at the state
level through the internet/network for use at the block level
development activities; (3) assist in implementing software and
training modules for the state/block government officials.
Comments
The national ICT technical specialist in Orissa was the first
official UNITeS volunteer (in place on 1 August)
The entire project is manned by UNITeS national Volunteers.
Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund
Jordan
Description
of assignments
In collaboration with Government of Jordan and UNDP. Jordan is
taking steps to integrate the use of ICT in national development
programmes, in particular related to education and public
information. One international UNITeS ICT for development specialist
is undergoing a short consulting mission (2 weeks in early
September) to:
- Share his experience in the community telecenters (TACCs) UNDP
project in Sharkeya, Egypt, in relation with the Jordanian
initiative to establish new telecenters. Introduce potential roles
of volunteers in telecenters in promoting ICT as tools for human
development.
- Explore with Jordanian authorities and UNDP other areas where
volunteers can contribute substantively in ICT to the national
development, including in ongoing major education programmes,
support to SMEs, etc.
Comments
This UNITeS Volunteer currently serves as a UN Volunteer in the UNDP
TACCs project in Egypt.
2 national UNITeS Volunteers are being recruited to support the
establishment of community telecenters in Jordan, expected in
October.
Source of funding for all: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund
Mongolia
Description
of assignments
Together with UNDP, which is undertaking a series of activities that
will enhance the ICT capacities of students and the educated
workforce by acculturating them to use ICT to solve real-life
problems. Whether it will be the establishment or the encouraging of
knowledge-based businesses, the enhancement of learning in the
schools, or the obtaining of price and weather information by
herders, UNDP is keen to expand the uses and opportunities of ICT to
enhance the lives of people in Mongolia. One international UNITeS
Electronic Content/Publishing specialist. The volunteer is
responsible for passing on the knowledge of content creation to
counterparts and other trainees. Planned to be working with Open Web
Centre (NGO) and decentralisation projects where content creation is
needed.
One international UNITeS Network Specialist, responsible for
building capacity of national technicians in designing, establishing
and managing computer networks. Planned to be working with
UNDP/APDIP Internetworking Academy, set at the Technical University.
Comments
International Volunteers from Fiji (expected in October) and Canada
(expected in December)
Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund
Additional assignments for UNITeS volunteers:
- One international Science and Technology / Information Policy
specialist
- One international ICT Education Policy specialist
- One international Business/Information Management specialist
- One international Business/Information Management Project
specialist
- One international Information Dissemination specialist (for rural
areas)
Namibia
Description
of assignments
Supporting the Enterprise Namibia Foundation, which provides a range
of business development support services, including entrepreneurial
and management training, technical assistance in business plan,
business counseling and sub-contracting opportunities between small
enterprises and large companies.
One international UNITeS ICT technical specialist will assist
counterparts at ENF (1) the design, installation and management of a
comprehensive and effective Information System; (2) the
implementation of a client tracking system for monitoring the
operational performance of clients; (3) helping client companies to
develop in-house MIS; (4) generating and analyzing information on
programme activities.
Comments
International Volunteer from Kenya
Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund
South Africa
Description
of assignments
In collaboration with SANGONeT, a non-profit internet service
provider, which hosts and develops web-sites and makes available
other sources of information to NGOs and CBOs.
One international UNITeS ICT technical specialist will assist
SANGONeT to provide services to its target beneficiaries and trains
SANGONeT staff. Outreaches to poor communities to raise awareness of
how ICTs can be used for practical purposes.
Comments
International Volunteer from Uganda.
Source of funding: UNV´s Special Voluntary Fund
Tanzania
Description
of assignments
Assisting the Government of Tanzania, which is setting up a National
ICT Council to expand access to ICT training and Internet use in the
country.
One international UNITeS programme specialist is working with the
newly established Council, which is a joint venture of the
Government, UNDP, and an e-think tank group. The Volunteer will (1)
support the activities of the Council; (2) provide substantive
advice to each member on ICT policies and strategies; (3) develop
outreach activities to institutions and companies served by the
Council.
Comments
International Volunteer from Finland.
Source of funding: Government of Finland
