PAID PLACEMENT IN TANZANIA

Volunteer – TV Production Advisor – Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

Location: Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Category: Television | Film |
Website: www.cuso-vso.org
Job Code: N/A
Date Posted: Feb 3, 2011

Tags: TV, Production, Advisor, Video Editing, Writing, Final Cut Pro,

OVERSEAS PLACEMENT:
TV Production Advisor

PARTNER NAME:FEMINA HIP
LOCATION: Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
LENGTH OF PLACEMENT: 12-24 months
PLANNED START DATE: May 2011
APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 24th 2011

ABOUT CUSO-VSO:

CUSO-VSO is a non-profit development agency that works through volunteers. Each year, we send hundreds of global citizens to work on collaborative development projects in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. We are one of North America’s leading international development organizations that works through volunteers.

ABOUT THE PARTNER ORGANIZATION:

Femina Health Information Project (HIP) is a non-profit organization working through multi-media to promote sexual health, HIV/AIDS prevention, gender equality, civic education and healthy lifestyles in Tanzania. Femina HIP was initiated in 1999 and has become one of the most well recognized long-term mass media initiatives in Tanzania. Femina HIP uses ‘edutainment’ as its main approach, entertaining and educating youth and their communities in appealing, exciting formats that mirror youth culture and language. Real life stores of ordinary youth and docudrama are central to the approach as well as an interactive, participatory production processes, giving voice to the questions and concerns of the audience. Research and constant monitoring ensure that the products are relevant to local contexts and stimulate change processes.

Specific placement objectives are to:

* Work with the TV team, and other editorial team within the project to continue improving the TV production process, integrate comments, ideas and plan from yearly workshop reviews.
* Strengthen organizational skills of the in-house TV team.
* Build the capacity of the TV production team by developing ways to improve programming and developing strategies for critical thinking around TV production.
* Work with the external production team to improve camera, lighting, sound recording and postproduction

Specific tasks of the volunteer may include:

* Fine-tune the production process of Femina HIP’s newly developed television entrepreneurship competition, Ruka Juu, which is currently in its pilot season.
* Help create more efficiency and productivity within the TV department by first identifying the strengths and weaknesses of individual TV team members, and then by fostering those strengths and strengthening those weaknesses.
* Work with the Executive Director to define specific roles and responsibilities of individual TV team members, which will help create accountability and a stronger TV team.
* Work with the TV team to ensure TV talk show themes are well researched and partner organizations consulted, that design documents are formulated with clear messages and rational.
* Assist with the development and implementation of design and planning tools, production schedules, indexes and annual plans, and good practices in regard to TV production.
* Assist in the development and integration of graphics, special features and new film techniques into the TV program.
* Work in the field with the TV team to assist with story development, research, editorial collection and filming, editorial contributions are welcome, some script writing or evaluation may be expected.
* Assist in the coordination of messages; ensure that core messages developed by the ED and PR and are included in the TV show and that there is cross promotion of Femina HIP products of the show.
* Help identify areas feedback evaluation and ensure that results generated by monitoring and evaluation studies are integrated into the TV talk show.
* Take part in planning and production of the TV talk show; assist in developing planning tools to be used
* Advise the team on new techniques and ways to control quality of the show
* Take part in providing training to the internal and external production team.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential qualifications for this volunteer placement:

* University/College degree in television, or motion picture; or an equivalent of education and experience
* Minimum three years of experience working in television production and/or documentary film production
* Analytical and creative thinker with strong organizational skills and attention to detail
* People management skills and negotiation skills
* Ability to communicate and instruct TV production
* Knowledge of the technical aspects of television production including professional television broadcast equipment, video processing, audio mixing and graphic composition and manipulation
* Knowledge of picture composition and lighting techniques
* Video editing experience
* Considerable knowledge of the techniques, practices, and methods associated with organizing, planning and directing television programs
* An interest and willingness to learn about health promotion in Tanzania

Desirable:

* Knowledge of Final Cut Pro or other video editing programmes
* Dramaturgical experience, some experience with designing and/or writing TV / Film drama
* Experience with budgeting and adhering to strict and often pressurized time schedules
* Good understanding of healthy lifestyles, development issues and youth/pop-culture

ABOUT TANZANIA

The FEMINA office is based in the city center of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and the country’s richest city and a regionally important economic centre. There are plenty of food stores, outdoor markets, a nice variety of restaurants, fresh vegetables and tropical fruits, butchers, and a nearby fish market. Public transportation is easily accessible and there is usually a lot of entertainment going on throughout the week, such as live music, dancing, etc. The city is situated on a massive natural harbour on the Eastern Indian Ocean coast of Africa, with sandy beaches in some area that are great for swimming.

Additionally, only a two-hour ferryboat ride away from town there is Zanzibar, known as the Spice Island and for its pristine beaches, Dar es Salaam is very urbanized, but there are many busses that go to some of the smaller towns throughout Tanzania, if one wants to get a better feel for traditional Tanzanian culture in a more semi-rural environment.

TRAINING AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Our training and support package covers the costs of being an overseas volunteer, allowing you to live a modest but healthy lifestyle while you volunteer abroad.

This includes:

1. Attendance at a CUSO-VSO assessment day in Ottawa or Vancouver (candidates must cover the first $150 of the most cost-effective travel expenses and accommodation costs)
2. Travel and accommodation costs associated with pre-departure training in Ottawa
3. Return airfare and visa/permit (this includes a return flight in the case of a family emergency)
4. Coverage for required vaccinations, medications and comprehensive health insurance.
5. Accommodation while overseas
6. A modest living allowance, which varies depending on the country where you are placed
7. Quarterly payments to support you in your placement

Looking beyond Movember

By Khalid Magram
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, also known as Movember, is helpful in raising awareness about the deadly disease. But the Walnut Foundation is encouraging African-Canadian men to remain vigilant regarding prostate cancer and to count on the group for support — even after Movember moustaches have been shaved off. “We want to organize support groups for Black men and their families, provide information to improve quality of life, and influence public policy about health needs of the Black community,” says Dr. Winston Isaac, a prostate cancer survivor and founder of the Walnut Foundation.

Dr. Isaac is concerned that not enough attention is paid to Black men’s health, especially the issue of prostate cancer and the importance of early screening. He says even with his healthcare background, he was not as informed as he could have been. It made him question the awareness of other Black men. “I am not sure if the message is getting through that prostate cancer has a high prevalence in Black men,” says Dr. Isaac, who is also an associate professor in health policy and administration at Ryerson University.

The Walnut Foundation’s main objective is to create awareness about prostate cancer and the need for early detection in the Black community. Dr. Isaac says that in regards to detection, Black men aged 40 and over must have a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test to establish a baseline. “The test can show the level of PSA in the blood,” he explains. “As a Black man, make sure that you know your PSA value. This way, you’ll know if you have a jump in results the next time you have the test. Having an established PSA baseline can save your life.”

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men of African descent. The good news is that when detected early, it is curable. Another important fact is that prostate cancer does not just affect older men. Simon Samuel, 54, was a major influence when the Walnut Foundation was founded. He says, “I was diagnosed when I was 49-years-old, so prostate cancer is not an old man’s disease. It’s showing more and more in younger people.”

Samuel’s long-term vision for the Foundation is to first take it national and then international to support Black men across Canada, the Caribbean and in African countries. In the meantime, Samuel and Isaac both say that women play a crucial role in getting men to seek help for health concerns. They also recommend that men turn to their wives and family for emotional support. “Family support is needed to help with healing from prostate cancer,” says Samuel. “If you don’t have family and friends’ support, you’re like a fish out of water.”

TANZANIA DECIDES: Zanzibar results

MATOKEO YA AWALI YA URAIS KATIKA UCHAGUZI MKUU 2010, UNGUJA

Tanzania Decides: Sights from TZ Elections

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Woman showing her support for the Tanzania ruling party CCM in Dar

Civic United Front supporter wearing his party's colors heading to CUF raly in Morogoro

Paul the Octopus also has a say in Tanzania Elections - he predicts CUF to win in the island of Zanzibar

European Union Observers checking out one of the campaign rally in Tanzania - Tanzanians are heading to polls for presidential and Parlamentary elections on Oct 31.

CHADEMA supporters carrying planks urging Tanzanian to elect their leader Dr Slaa to be next president of Tanzania.

Former CCM supporter handing CHADEMA's Dr Slaa the CCM shirt as a sign of switching parties

Mr Ipyana Seme, displays CHADEMA membership cards surrendered by people who defected to the ruling party , during a campaign rally at Mbalizi in Mbeya Region on Sunday. Left is CCM Union Presidential candidate Mr Jakaya Kikwete. (Photo by John Lukuwi)

CUF supporters, in Vespas, imain mode of transportation in the Island of Zanzibar escorting their presidential candidate Seif Sheriff Hamad (not in picture) to pick up the forms for intention of running in Tanzania elections 2010

Tanzania Decides: Lisa M Rockefeller confronts Kikwete on Facebook

Lisa M Rockefeller urge Tanzanians to reject Kikwete a 2nd Term

Lisa claims her family- The New York based Rockefeller, one of the richest people in the world have been pouring hundred and thousands dollars to NGO’s and other organizations in country without seeing any of the funds help Tanzanians – She confronted Kikwete on his facebook page this morning.

Corruption Rising sharply in U.S., GREECE AND ITALY: Report

Countries hard hit by the recent global financial crisis including the U.S. rated most corrupt, an international watchdog said Tuesday.
The annual report of Transparency International found that Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore tied for first place as the world’s least corrupt nations.
According to the report, Canada improved from last year’s eighth-place ranking to come in sixth, after Finland and Sweden.

TORONTO VOTES

The 2010 Toronto municipal election will be held on October 25, 2010 to elect a mayor and 44 city councillors in Toronto, Ontario. In addition, school trustees will be elected to the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest and Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud. The election will be held in conjunction with those held in other municipalities in the province of Ontario (see Ontario municipal elections, 2010). Candidate registration opened on January 4, 2010 and ended on September 10. Advance polls will be open October 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12, 13, 16 and 17.
Check how your candidate did?

Aga Khan’s J-School Will Educate Media Owner

By KHALID MAGRAM
Aga Khan University’s new Graduate School of Media and Communications in East Africa soon will commence on a unique mission of teaching media owners about their responsibilities in a society. It will also concentrate more on training journalists from developing world on how to deliver quality analysis in wake of events such as referendum, civil conflicts and elections.

HH the Aga Khan delivering a lecture on pluralism & Journalism in front of a packed audience at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

“One of the things we looked at for our school of journalism is who has the ultimate responsibility for what is sold on the streets and what is shown on TV,” said His Highness the Aga Khan, during the LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium lecture at the Royal Conservatory of Music Friday. “And I think our conclusion is been essentially that it is the owners rather than manufacturer of the product.”

His Highness said, therefore the school of journalism is going to be about educating the owners on what are their responsibilities in a society, what are their responsible to the region – because ultimately they have to decide what it is that they want to distribute within their own countries.

“Conveying quality information in developing world has been very challenging for many years for our network (the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)).”The Aga Khan added. “For example finding a competent journalist to write on comparative government in developing world is very big problem, which mean when there is referendum on constitution the actual value of that referendum becomes subject to question.”

He was quick however to point out some exceptions efforts of journalists work in the developing world. He cited a veteran Ghanaian journalist, who recently wrote of African journalists’ contributions on number of essential events in Africa.

Kwame Karikari, executive director of Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), recently summed up the power of autonomous journalists when he wrote of their

“…remarkable contributions to peaceful and transparent elections in Benin, Cape Verde, Ghana, Mali, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia; to post-conflict transitions … in Liberia, Mozambique and Sierra Leone; and to sustaining constitutional rule … in Guinea, Kenya and Nigeria.”

Aga Khan’s host, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s John Ralston Saul and founder of the Symposium asked the Aga Khan how exactly the new grad school would be able to do things different from other j-schools elsewhere, which seems to be engaging more in teaching of technical stuff and not the content of what is it to be a journalist.

The Aga Khan replied that the media owners would be primary beneficiary of the graduate school – by ‘educating the media owners’. A fascinating concept Saul noted – bringing thunderous laughter from the audience that included senior Canadian journalists.

The Aga Khan once again emphasized the urgency of pluralism challenge during his speech at Royal Conservatory of Music in Downtown Toronto.

“Independent news media and journalists free from external control and constraint are key element in building stronger pluralist societies,” said Aga Khan, who is also spiritual leader of world’s 14-million Shia Ismaili Muslims

His Highness also noted that a wide-open internet allows divisive information to travel as far and as fast as reliable information. There are virtually no barriers to entry and anyone responsible or irresponsible – can play the game.
“The way we communicate with one another has been revolutionized,” he says.

“However, more communication has not meant more cooperation.” More information has also meant more mis-information – more superficial snapshots, more shards of stray information taken out of context, he said.

“We are at a particularly complex moment in human history. The challenges of diversity are frightening for many people, in societies all around the world. But diversity also has the capacity to inspire,” His Highness the Aga Khan said.

10th annual LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium

H.H The Aga Khan with his host and founder of the LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium John Ralston Saul discussing pluralism after Friday night speech by his highness. Photo by Khalid Magram

HH the Aga Khan delivering a lecture on pluralism in front of a packed audience at the Royal conservatory of Music in Toronto. Photo by Khalid Magram

I believe one can live creatively and purposefully as both a devoted Muslim and a committed European – Aga Khan

History,challenges and the future path for pluralism in the world societies was the main theme in His Highness the Aga Khan’s Friday night lecture in 1,135 seat Koerner Hall at Royal Conservatory of Music. The event was hosted by Institute for Canadian Citizenship

Quoting a Yale emeritus on Pluralism, the Harvard graduate the Aga Khan said: pluralism was a critical variable in the decline and rise to power of all the so called ‘hyper world powers’ – from the Persian empire,Tang dynasty, ancient Roman Empire and the United State.

HH the Aga Khan is the forty-ninth hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. He assumed the office of the Imamate in July 1957, and since then he has worked on an international scale to improve living conditions and foster social, cultural, and economic opportunities for men and women in the developing world. The Aga Khan Development Network, which he has established over the past 50 years, encompasses foundations, universities, and programs in 30 countries, including Aga Khan Foundation Canada. His Highness the Aga Khan has received numerous awards, distinctions, and honorary doctorates for his service to humanity.

The independent media everywhere- free from government and religious influence should step up the plate in educating and informing the masses on importance of pluralism.

To watch the webcast please click here

Canadian and African businesswomen unite to encourage international trade

By Khalid Magram

Africa and design have been two longtime passions of Kathleen Holland, president of KMH International, who is using her expertise as a market strategist and business consultant to assist small African business enterprises to enter the market and maintain successful relationships with distributors and retailers in Canada and globally.

For Holland, a 2009 nominee of the Organization of Women in International Trade’s Joanna Townsend Award for an Export Champion, it all started with a Canadian trade mission to Africa in 2002. She says the contacts and information she gathered during the mission proved to be pivotal in developing an international business plan. Another pivotal point came after the trip, when Holland was introduced to the non-profit Canadian and African Business Women’s Alliance (CAABWA), in which she found the mentorship she was seeking.

Canadian and African women created the CAABWA, which fosters business linkages between Canada and countries in Africa. Its mandate is to support African women who are entrepreneurs in their efforts to participate in international trade. One of the major opportunities that CAABWA offers is its internship program. Holland, who is now a board member with the organization, advises anyone who is interested in working in Africa to apply for the CAABWA internship, which is awarded though Canadian International Development Agency.

Holland also credits CAABWA for her own professional success: “CAABWA has played a very important role in my career working in Africa,” she says of becoming an integral part of the growth and success of small businesses on the continent. Holland’s contribution is in design, where she helps to transform African art into high-end home design and decor products, which sell internationally.

Holland also created Design Africa, a brand-led marketing vehicle that supports international market access for product designers and handicraft manufacturers from Africa.

The endeavours have taken the global businesswoman to several African countries, including South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Swaziland, Zambia, Ethiopia, Mali, Uganda, Kenya and Burkina Faso, which hosts the continent’s largest craft festival every two years. Gone Rural, based in Swaziland, is one of the companies that has benefited from Holland’s expertise.

The non-profit organization, which creates unique home accessories, is the source of sustainable home-based incomes for 740 rural Swazi women, most of whom are caring for orphans with HIV/AIDS. Despite such a daunting task, the attitude of these women is what Holland holds dear: “My heart overflows when I have the opportunity to work with such inspiring women,” she says. “Theirs is the most amazing story.”