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The HEDON Associate Programme 2007 - French and Spanish speakers wanted


Table of Contents

Household energy is a key factor in human development, but because issues affect many of those who are not part of a country’s visible economy, it is often overlooked. Energy is required in the home for cooking, heating, lighting, reducing drudgery, small enterprise. An absence of sufficient clean household energy impacts particularly on health, nutrition, hygiene, women’s prestige, income, and education.

The HEDON Household Energy Network, which was established in 1992, is an instrument for disseminating knowledge and linking practitioners involved in household energy. To date, HEDON has grown and developed through the voluntary activities of one or two of its members. From a small group of Northern organisations meeting once or twice per year, it now (January 2007) has over 750 organisations and individuals people who are part of the electronic network worldwide. They belong to Grassroots organisations and NGOs (~30%), private companies and consultants (~20%), research organisations (~15%), government departments (~20%) and universities (~15%). Members come from 60 countries, predominantly Southern countries (80%). The web site (www.hedon.info) receives a monthly average of 8000 visits (representing approximately 400 unique visitors each month). HEDON also publishes the printed Journal Boiling Point which is sent to over 2000 addresses (the majority of which are in the South).

In order to strengthen HEDON activities, and increase the relevance of information activities in developing countries, we are seeking to develop a network of ‘HEDON Associates’ in key regions of the world. This will provide benefits to HEDON and also to the young professionals taking place in the programme.

In creating the HEDON Associate Programme we are aiming to provide young professionals with the substantive knowledge, communications skills, resources and practical experience necessary to develop sustainable household energy projects and to become effective agents of change. This programme will give young leaders the skills and opportunities to shape their world.

[top] [end]Benefits to HEDON Associates

  • Associates will gain international experience working with leading players in sustainable development.
  • They will develop and strengthen leadership, problem-solving, organizational and communication skills.
  • The programme will give participants access to an established international network of contacts by providing links to HEDON members and organisations working in Household Energy worldwide, and to the environment and development communities at large.
  • Participants will expand their work portfolios through the work they do, which will support future applications for work.
  • Participants will be able to apply what they have learned to their future professional activities.

[top] [end]Benefits to HEDON and the Household Energy Community

  • We will learn from the knowledge networks in sustainable household energy developed by the HEDON associates.
  • Our relationships with partner organizations around the world will be reinforced.
  • Our own work will be sustained and built upon by a network of young leaders who are champions of innovation for sustainability.
  • Our network will be strengthened to provide a better flow of knowledge and information.
  • Understanding about HEDON our goals and our current projects will be enhanced throughout the world.

[top] [end]Requirements

During 2007, HEDON is aiming start to create services for Spanish and French speakers. We are thus looking for one French-speaking associate, and one Spanish-speaking associate.

To be eligible for the HEDON Associate Programme, you must:

  • Be studying for a Masters or PhD in a household energy-related field and topic (including diverse disciplines such as technical, policy, economics, sociology, women’s studies, environment, geography, etc.)
  • Have demonstrated commitment to international interests (international study or volunteer work an asset);
  • Be computer and Internet literate, including word processing, e-mail skills and experience in using the World Wide Web for research and information delivery;
  • Have excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
  • Have access to a reliable computer with an Internet connection.
  • Be able to work "virtually" with others through use of information and telecommunications systems.
  • Be able to use this HEDON Associate experience as a long-term employment strategy.
  • Be flexible and adaptable.

[top] [end]Timeframe

6 to 18 months depending on circumstances.

[top] [end]Workload

A HEDON Associate would most likely need to be able to give between 1 to 3 ‘equivalent-days’ per week. These could be arranged flexibility, and schedules could be adapted to fit in with your existing timetables (eg. exams).

[top] [end]Remuneration

A modest stipend will be provided, and reasonable agreed expenses reimbursed.

[top] [end]Examples of duties:

  • Identify key relevant household energy information - news, events, resources etc.
  • Request information from regional organizations and HEDON members, conduct interviews, attend relevant meetings
  • Review new publications as they are published
  • Prepare and coordinate local HEDON meetings as appropriate
  • Preparing policy briefings/how to guides for the HEDON Knowledge Base
  • Provide knowledge input and assist in translation of key resources into Spanish and French
  • Review and improve existing knowledge resources available through HEDON
  • Assist in the development of the HEDON Network, reinforcing contacts with other networks such as ProBEC, ARECOP, Breathe Easy Network, SPARKNET, REPP Stoves Discussion List, ENERGIA, and partnerships such as GVEP, EU Energy Initiative, GFSE, FINESSE, AFREI, REEEP, NEPAD etc.

[top] [end]How to apply

We are currently looking for additional sponsorship to support HEDON associates in selected regions throughout the world (one associate based in India is currently sponsored and supported by Eco Ltd (www.ecoharmony.com)). We expect the HEDON Associate Programme to grow as additional sponsors are identified, and we will make further calls for applications in other regions as this develops. We welcome applications on an ongoing basis, but selections will be made only as sponsors become available.

To apply, please write a short informative article (approximately 1 page, 500 to 1000 words) on some household energy issue, suitable for submission to the HEDON forum (knowledge base). You may identify a suitable topic for this article by browsing through the existing articles on the forum and selecting a topic that could be improved or added (authors of good articles will be encouraged to submit them to the forum).

Successful candidates will be selected competitively based on their application.

To apply, please send an expression of interest to Donna Skordili on donna@....

We will then get back to you by email to request the following:

  • Your curriculum vitae (ie. CV, resume)
  • The short article mentioned above
  • A covering letter describing your interest and motivation for participating in the programme, and
  • Details of two referees whom we may contact (including at least one professional or academic reference).

You may increase your profile (and chances of being selected) through active involvement with the HEDON network – by submitting news, events, publications, and knowledge base articles on a regular basis. This however does not guarantee selection.

Please direct any questions to james@...

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Page created: 08 December 2003; Last edited: 31 July 2008; Version: 4
Knowledge Bank text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

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