VACS Capacity Professionals

Web Survey form 5 - Fellows: VACS Capacity Professionals

Terms of Reference, Eligibility and Selection criteria

Terms of reference

A VACS Capacity professional is a fellow who holds a graduate degree and will participate in a cohort of scientists in Africa to deliver against the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soil (VACS), that is to foster resilient agrifood systems across Africa by: a) boosting productivity of opportunity crops; b) improving nutrition through developing and deploying diverse, climate-resilient cropping systems; c) building healthy soils; and (d) strengthening capacities of researchers in Africa. As part of career strengthening, the professional will be supported to gain new or upgrade skills through hands-on training to remain abreast with advances in technology and thus contribute to addressing the VACS objectives. The skills will range from field- and lab-based, data analysis, and/or components of the seed value chain. The fellows will be placed in a host institution recommended by the VACS Capacity program for a short-term (1-6 months) period. These fellows are expected to contribute towards innovative solutions for the breeding of VACS priority crops.

Professional VACS fellows will be drawn from all sectors (public, private, research, and universities). Fellows will be matched with appropriate hosts and mentors. The fellowship will cover; scholar bench fee, visa/study permit, medical insurance, stipend/living expenses, travel, and support to attend one scientific meeting

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in the VACS Capacity program as a professional fellow, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

Applicant must be a citizen of a sub-Saharan African country
Applicant must be familiar with instruction in English.
Applicant must hold a relevant University MSc or PhD degree
Applicant is employed (full-time permanent or part-time basis)
Applicant involved in the breeding of a VACS priority crop.

Evaluation Criteria

The selection criteria for awarding VACS Capacity professional fellowships are to meet program aims, which are to build a critical mass of scientists with a strengthened capacity to future-proof African farming systems through improved genetics and cropping systems and fill existing gaps in the improvement of VACS opportunity crops.

The following criteria will serve as the basis for ranking the applications of eligible candidates.

Quality of performance record of candidates, including academic performance, publications, and other evidence of scientific achievement.
Originality, feasibility, and potential contribution of the proposed research to the field of interest.
Integration with a product-focused cultivar or breeding program development that addresses VACS priority crops and serves smallholder farmers.
Strength of recommendation from employer

Gender and social inclusion goals of VACS, including diversity of participants considerations.

Application Form: VACS Professional Fellows – new or upgrading specific skills.

1. Name of Applicant:*

First Name

Last Name

2. Gender*

3. Country Based *

4. Contact information (Telephone).*

5. Contact information (email).*

6. List the degrees*

7. State your academic background including university degrees to date *

No File Chosen

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(Attach degree certificate as proof).

Provide contact information for referees (3)

8.1a Contact information for referees (1)*

First Name

Last Name

8.1b Contact information for referees (1) Email*

8.1c Contact information for referees (1) Telephone*

8.2a Contact information for referees (2)*

First Name

Last Name

8.2b Contact information for referees (2) Email*

8.2c Contact information for referees (2) Telephone *

8.3a Contact information for referees (3)*

First Name

Last Name

8.3b Contact information for referees (3) Email*

8.3c Contact information for referees (3) Telephone *

9. Crop(s):*

9. Indicate the host institution or partners you are interested in engaging with*

10. Indicate if*

a) Already accepted b) Applied but not yet accepted c) Not yet applied

Skills Upgrade Focus

11. Indicate the skills you are interested in acquiring*

12. Skills Upgrade Objectives *

(200 words):

13. Skills Update approach/ Methodology *

(500 words)

14. Provide your workplan for acquiring these skills*

15. Indicate the expected outputs/ Milestones*

16. How will the skills acquired contribute to your organization and VACS Project goals? *

(200 words):

17. Endorsement *

No File Chosen

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(attach a letter of support from your home institute)

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