Tuesday, September 19, 2023

USAID Consultancy: Senior Crop Protection Expert

   
Consultancy: Senior Crop Protection Expert, USAID/Tanzania Programmatic Pesticide Evaluation Report Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP)

Position Description:

Social Impact is seeking an experienced Senior Crop Protection Expert to guide the development, support, roll-out, and implementation of the USAID/Tanzania Mission-wide Programmatic PERSUAP (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan). This is a consulting position with an estimated start date of October 1, 2023. The estimated level of effort (LOE) for the Expert will be 30-35 days with potential in-person data collection of up to 2 weeks in Tanzania (in addition to remote data collection). The Expert will report directly to the Team Leader.

Responsibilities:

The Crop Protection Expert will be responsible for contributing to all aspects of the assignment to guide the development, support, roll-out, and implementation of the USAID/Tanzania Mission-wide Programmatic PERSUAP (Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan). This would include desk review of strategic documents, data collection from stakeholders and development of the Mission-wide PERSUAP

Read more and apply: https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=SOCIIMPA2&cws=39&rid=4634

USAID: Supervisory Development Assistance Specialist (HIV)

   
USAID/Uganda is seeking qualified candidates for the position of the Supervisory Development Assistance Specialist(HIV) is located in the USAID/Uganda Office of Health and HIV/AIDS (OHH).

OHH includes six technical units with an annual operating budget of approximately US$310 million, and is led by a USDH Foreign Service Officer who reports directly to the Mission Director. The Specialist serves as a second Deputy to the OHH Director, with direct responsibility for the HIV/TB and Strategic Information (SI) Units which cover the full spectrum of prevention, care and treatment, and SI. The Specialist may serve as Acting Office Director in the absence or preoccupation of the Director and/or the other Deputy Director.

The Specialist leads high-level engagements with the Government of Uganda (GoU), the Ministry of Health (MoH), and other high-level Ministerial officials, at the national and regional levels to ensure success for USAID’s new development strategy. The Specialist represents the OHH and the Mission with bilateral donors, UN organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the private sector, and other relevant health agencies and organizations. The Specialist oversees implementation of OHH strategic projects, to ensure achievement of intended results, and may serve as Agreement/Contract Officer’s Representative (A/COR) or alternate for collaborative high-level integrated activities across technical offices within the Mission.

The Specialist supervises a staff of approximately 25 through two subordinate supervisors, performing the full range of supervisory duties.

Education:

The work assignment requires a US-style Master’s Degree or the local equivalent from an accredited program in public health, medicine, public policy, or a very closely work-related discipline.

Prior Work Experience:

The assignment requires a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible, professional-level experience in public health or public policy development.

This experience must have provided the opportunity for policy work, program direction and visioning, strategic planning, and design, and/or program management.

A significant portion of this work experience must have been in development work, or related fields, for donor agencies, GoU organizations, or private-sector institutions.

Demonstrated state-of-the-art knowledge related to priority health areas, and experience working or collaborating with other donors, governments, international organizations, the private sector, etc., is required.

How to apply

The detailed solicitation document Number: 72061723R10020 which provides the full position description, selection criteria, and specific instructions on how to submit an offer is found at: https://ug.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/ or send an email to EXO and HR Specialist at: [email protected]

Data Analyst

   
Terms of reference

Job Title: Data Analyst

Code: SR-00-9058

Duty station: Rome - HQ

Starting date: 01/10/2023

Contract duration: 12 months (renewable)

General purpose of the position

The Data Analyst is the figure who analyzes and interprets data. This analysis aims to extract useful information to test business hypotheses and gain a competitive advantage. The profile could be called a translator of numbers, who is responsible for transforming raw data into valuable information.

The first step in proper and effective analysis is to correctly organize and cluster the data. The Data Analyst can use mathematical codes and formulas to automate calculation processes and group the data in this preliminary step. Upon completion of the analysis, the Data Analyst communicates the results through reports and written documents.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Among the main tasks of the Data Analyst are:
  • Understand the types of research to be conducted - based on the needs;
  • Ensure that the information is not biased - in which case the Data Analyst will select only valuable data;
  • Suggest changes in the tools and processes used for data collection;
  • Organize the data and create clusters;
  • Read data using statistical methods to identify correlations and interpretive patterns, particular trends or recurring patterns from which helpful information for the company's business can be derived;
  • Share the results of the analysis to stakeholders through written documents. In some cases, the Data Analyst may use visualization software.
Required profile and experience

Education
  • Bachelor's degree in : Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, and Economics.

Remote: Communications Manager - Medic Mobile

   
Medic Mobile - We are seeking an expert creative writer and tech-savvy communications professional with strong organizational and relationship-building skills to join our External Affairs team as our Communication Manager. This position reports to the Senior Manager of External Affairs and will work closely with the Chief Development Officer, Philanthropy Manager, External Affairs Officer, and other interdepartmental teammates living and working in 20+ countries around the world. Communications at Medic is highly collaborative during ideation and brainstorming phases, with execution of strategy and deliverables owned by the Communications Manager.

Position Information:
  • Employment Status: Full-time
  • Location: GMT 00:00 to GMT -06:00 time zones, permanently remote unless based in a Medic hub location (Nairobi, Dakar, Kampala, Kathmandu)
  • If located in North or South America, must be willing and available for occasional meetings as early as 6am and as late as 6pm EST
  • Preferred Start Date: Oct 1 2023

Request for Proposal – ToR to develop and implement an integrated seed data collection

   
Request for Proposal – Terms of Reference to develop and implement an integrated seed data collection, management & reporting system interfaced with a mobile-based app

Objectives

The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop an integrated seed data collection, management, and reporting System and an accompanying mobile-based application to optimize the organization’s seed-related operations, from production to distribution.

Scope of work

The consultant’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

System analysis and design
• Conduct a detailed analysis of the organization’s existing seed production, inventory management, and distribution processes.

• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to gather requirements for the seed data collection, management, and reporting system, and mobile app.

• Design a user-friendly and intuitive interface for the seed data collection, management, and reporting system and mobile app.

Development
• Develop the seed data collection, management, and reporting System, ensuring seamless integration of modules such as seed production, inventory management, order processing, sales, and reporting.

• Create a mobile-based application compatible with major operating systems, enabling access to key seed data collection, management, and reporting functionalities remotely.
Integration

• Establish secure data integration between the seed data collection, management, and reporting system and the mobile app.

• Ensure real-time synchronization of data between the web-based seed data collection, management, and reporting and the mobile app.

Testing
• Conduct rigorous testing of the seed data collection, management, and reporting system and mobile app to identify and rectify any technical issues or bugs.
Training

• Provide training sessions for the organization’s staff on how to effectively use the seed data collection, management, and reporting system and mobile app.

Documentation
• Prepare comprehensive technical documentation, including user manuals for the seed data collection, management, and reporting system and mobile app.
Support and maintenance
• Offer post-implementation support for a defined period to address any unforeseen issues or enhancements.
• Provide regular maintenance and updates to ensure the system’s optimal performance.

Friday, September 15, 2023

Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Toronto

   ,
The Data Sciences Institute (DSI) co-leads the prestigious Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Toronto, a program of Schmidt Futures.

From climate change to infectious disease, artificial intelligence (AI) can help us tackle the challenges that humanity faces by accelerating the pace of scientific research and development. The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdocs program boosts the work of early-career scholars in engineering, mathematics and natural science by giving them vital tools in AI. Experience with AI is not a requirement, but applicants must have the desire to learn new AI methodologies that stand to accelerate discoveries in their domain.

The University of Toronto is Canada’s leading research university and the home of seminal work in artificial intelligence, from deep learning and neural networks to the interfaces between AI and the natural sciences.

Value and Duration: $85,000 CDN/year, plus benefits
Application Deadline: October 2, 2023

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship at The University of Chicago

   ,
The AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellow Program at the University of Chicago is seeking scholars who seek to advance and accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the natural sciences. The rise of AI in science and engineering presents both a remarkable opportunity and a profound challenge to human-centered modes of inquiry, including not only data analysis, but also the design of experiments, the formulation of new hypotheses, and the revelation of natural laws. Given the cross-disciplinary nature of AI research in science, Fellows will be offered freedom and independence in pursuing their AI-related research, including the flexibility to change or expand their research focus and to work with multiple research groups while at the University.

This unique program is part of a vibrant and growing AI and science community that includes departments across the UChicago campus as well as Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

Fellows will have the opportunity to pursue original research on significant questions in AI and science. They form a cohort of top scholars across the natural sciences engaging in joint training and research activities. Fellows will receive the training in AI methods necessary for conducting their research. Drawing on the University’s top-ranked programs, world-renowned faculty, and vibrant data science ecosystem, this program will allow postdoctoral fellows to engage in field-defining research. Fellows will receive a competitive salary and benefits, generous research funding and travel allowances, and the opportunity to collaborate with partners worldwide. Fellows will be appointed as Research Associates in the University’s system of record.

This is a two-year position with an opportunity to renew for a third year. The start date will be negotiated for a date in 2024. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2023, and will continue until all positions are filled.

Qualifications

Fellows must hold a doctoral degree in the natural sciences, engineering, or a related field completed before the start of their fellowship and earned no earlier than 2019.

Application Instructions

Application review for these positions will begin on November 1, 2023, and continue until positions are filled. Applications must be submitted online through the University of Chicago Jobs website: http://apply.interfolio.com/131477.

The following materials are required:
  • Cover letter indicating the candidate’s potential mentor(s) at the University, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, or the Marine Biological Laboratory, and briefly describing the candidate’s area of research.
  • A 2-3 page (excluding references) research statement describing the candidate’s research contributions, highlighting: the significance and potential impact of their past and planned research contributions in the natural sciences and engineering, a proposal for exploring AI’s potential role in their research, evidence of the candidate’s preparedness for our training program, and evidence of independence and engagement in activities (e.g., research, seminars, coursework) that span traditional disciplinary boundaries.
  • Candidate’s CV, including a list of publications and other research artifacts (e.g., publicly available software).
  • Three confidential letters of recommendation and an additional confidential brief letter from the prospective mentor(s) agreeing to sponsor the applicant if they are selected.
Contact:

For questions about this application, please contact [email protected]

Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC San Diego

   ,
Applications for the 2024 cohort open on September 1, 2023. The application deadline is October 1, 2023.

Before applying, applicants must obtain the sponsorship of a faculty member at UC San Diego who is willing to serve as their primary faculty mentor.
  • Complete applications should consist of the following documents: Schmidt AI in Science Postdocs Program Application Form
  • A research statement emphasizing the promise of the applicant’s research agenda and demonstrating a clear understanding of how to apply AI to improve their science
  • A diversity statement describing the applicant’s past or future contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout their academic career
  • A letter of nomination from the applicant’s proposed primary (STEM) faculty mentor at UC San Diego. The letter from the proposed primary (STEM) mentor should address: a) the applicant's proposed research and its scientific significance, and how training in AI methods and approaches through the Schmidt AI in Science Postdocs Program will enhance their science; b) the extent to which the applicant will participate in departmental and campus academic activities (e.g., seminar programs); c) the extent of the applicant's anticipated participation at national/international research meetings; and d) the proposed STEM mentor's involvement in mentoring for other programs designed to increase access and opportunity in higher education.
  • Two additional letters of recommendation. These letters should address: a) The novelty, quality and promise of the applicant's work; b) the potential for the nominee to leverage the training they would receive as a Fellow to pioneer and accelerate the adoption of innovative applications of AI in their field; and c) if the applicant's Ph.D. is in progress, rate the likelihood of its completion by September 1 of the year they will begin their postdoctoral appointment.
If selected, Fellows will be expected to begin their appointment on October 1, 2024 and must have completed their PhD by September 1, 2024.

Two Postdoc opportunities in transritomics

   ,
My lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (http://tinyurl.com/pkatzlab) is seeking two postdocs to join projects in collaboration with Jeff Lichtman’s lab at Harvard University. We are looking for people who are knowledgeable in transcriptomics and/or connectomics to join ongoing projects related to multisensory systems and neurogenesis.

We have been pioneering the use of the nudibranch, Berghia stephanieae to ask fundamental questions about the structure and function of neural processing. Nudibranchs, like other gastropods, have central ganglia that continue to add neurons as the animal grows, increasing the number of neurons over 40 fold in just eight weeks. Individual neurons can be recognized at each developmental stage, some arise early and others later, providing an opportunity to compare synaptic organization and gene expression in the same neuron at different times. We are asking how newly born neurons become incorporated into functional neural circuits by combining 3D electron microscopy, cell tracing, single cell transcriptomics, and multiplexed in situ hybridization chain reaction to create developmental cell atlases.

We are also examining the structure and function of the rhinophore complex in Berghia. The rhinophores are distance chemoreceptive appendages that contain thousands of peripheral neurons. At the base of each rhinophore is a ganglion that has more neurons than the so-called brain. We are determining whether this ganglion has structural features that are analogous to an insect antennal lobe or whether it has a uniquely molluscan organization that includes peripheral processing. The structural basis for olfaction has not yet been determined in molluscs. This project could help determine whether molluscs fundamentally differ from other known systems in how olfactory receptor neurons are organized into circuits.

Postdocs will develop their individual projects with the expectation that they will build an independent research program. Postdocs are expected to mentor and work as a team with students in the lab. We work to foster a cooperative, inclusive environment in the lab.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has a large and growing neuroscience community. Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Amherst, and Hampshire Colleges are all nearby and contribute to the academic environment. Amherst is located about 2 hours west of Boston. There is train service to New York City as well. Amherst is situated in the Connecticut River Valley, convenient to skiing in the Berkshire Mountains and Vermont. There is a lively music scene and art scene.

Applicants must have a PhD in neuroscience or a related field, and publication record in the field.

Applicants should send a cover letter, with contact information for three references, and a c.v. to [email protected]. Applications will be considered as they are received.

Paul Katz
Professor at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Monday, September 11, 2023

Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Manager for Tanzania MUM Project

   
Under the supervision of the Water Services Team Lead, the Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Manager will be responsible for water and sanitation infrastructure implementation, including site investigation, design, environmental compliance, preparation of bidding packages, and construction management services for USAID’s construction contractor(s). In coordination with the Chief of Party (COP) and Deputy COP-Technical, the Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Manager will manage two lead engineers as part of their supervisory responsibility over the engineering and construction management components of MUM’s WASH infrastructure implementation as part of Strategic Objectives 1 & 3.

Qualifications:
  • Degree in relevant field such as civil or water resources engineering, water and environmental engineering.
  • Master’s degree or equivalent and 7 years’ experience in a relevant field, OR bachelor’s degree or equivalent and 10 years’ experience in a relevant field.
  • Demonstrated technical experience in water supply delivery, including in at least three of the following areas: infrastructure development, hydraulic design, preparation of bidding packages for water supply infrastructure, training and capacity building, community engagement, and pro-poor approaches to WASH access.
  • Minimum of seven years’ progressively responsible relevant professional experience in international development. At least three years must be in a management position.
  • Experience with sanitation infrastructure in urban settings and managing donor-funded activities is desired.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English and Swahili.
  • Computer literate (in Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.), including AutoCAD and hydraulic modeling/design software.
  • Demonstrated experience overseeing teams across multiple WASH focuses, ensuring appropriately tailored and synchronized activities.
  • Knowledge of water supply infrastructure design, bidding document production, and construction management.
Read more and apply: https://tetratech.referrals.selectminds.com/jobs/water-supply-and-sanitation-infrastructure-manager-for-tanzania-mum-project-36779