Application Deadline: 29th February 2008 (16hrs East Africa time)

START, in partnership with the Institute of Resource Assessment (IRA) and with financial support from the MacArthur Foundation, invites applications from early to mid-career conservation researchers and practitioners and masters-level students to participate in Master’s level courses on Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation, focusing on the Albertine Rift Region. Two intensive, master’s level courses will be offered at IRA of the University of Dar es Salaam to provide instruction in the assessment of climate change risks to ecosystems and biodiversity and in designing strategies for biodiversity conservation under a changing climate. Successful candidates will also have the opportunity to participate in externships, practicum training and small research projects.

Following are preliminary descriptions of the two courses:

Course 1: Climate Change Risks to Ecosystems and Biodiversity. The overall aims of the course are to generate deep understanding of the implications of climate variability and climate change for ecosystems and biodiversity and working knowledge of methods and selected tools for assessing climate impacts to ecosystems, species and human livelihoods. Course topics would include observed and projected climate change and climate variability in the Albertine Rift region, biotic and abiotic mechanisms by which climate affects ecosystems and biodiversity, past effects of climate on the ecosystems of the region, future impacts of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity, including synergistic effects with other non-climate stressors, and impacts of ecosystem change and species loss on human livelihoods and well-being. Methods and tools to be covered by the course include use of remote sensing data, GIS applications and spatial analysis, biophysical resource modeling (e.g. biogeographical models of vegetation distribution, dynamic vegetation models, and models of species climate and environment niches) and social survey methods such as participatory appraisal methods. This course will be offered at IRA from 1st July to 21st July 2008.

Course 2: Conservation Strategies in a Changing Climate. The aim of the course is to generate deep understanding of the implications of climate change for biodiversity conservation practices and strategies that can be applied to problems of adapting conservation to changing risks in a changing climate. Course topics would include existing approaches to biodiversity conservation (e.g. protected areas, landscape design and management, and matrix management), challenges to conservation posed by direct and synergistic impacts of climate change, methods and tools for designing conservation strategies that are adaptive to a changing climate, risk communication methods, and methods for stakeholder engagement in conservation design. The focus will be on biodiversity conservation in the Albertine Rift ecosystems. This course will be offered at IRA from 28th July to 16th August 2008.

Both courses will be conducted using lectures, case studies, field visits, group discussions, computer labs and seminar presentations. Evaluation will be conducted through written assignments (e.g. written reports) and assessed seminar presentations. Each course will be equivalent to 3 masters-level credits. Registered students of the University of Dar es Salaam will receive 3-credits toward a M.Sc. degree in the Natural Resource Assessment and Management (NARAM) program. Arrangements will be made to facilitate transfer of credit for students matriculated at other institutions. Applicants may apply to enroll in either or both courses.

Following completion of the courses, a select number of successful participants will have the opportunity to engage in biodiversity conservation work through externships, practicum training or small research projects conducted under the guidance of program faculty. Participants will be placed with various conservation programs in the Albertine Rift Region and will gain hands on experience in designing and implementing strategies for adapting biodiversity conservation to climate change impacts. Host institutions where participants execute their externship, practicum or research project will provide a mentor to assist the participant in this activity. Participants will be expected to write papers for publication in professional journals based upon their experiences. Completion of the externship, practicum training or research project will earn one additional course credit.

Eligibility

The Education Program is open to early to mid-career conservation professionals and masters-level students in natural resource management, environmental science, conservation biology and related fields from across Africa with priority given to applicants from the Albertine Rift countries i.e. Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Applicants must at minimum have a bachelor’s degree (familiarity with climate change / conservation concepts and with methods and tools such as remote sensing data, GIS applications, etc., will be an added advantage).

Selection Criteria

Course enrollment is limited to 20 participants per course. Selection of applicants will be based upon previous academic and professional preparation, potential to apply knowledge and skills gained in the program to conservation work, country of residence and gender balance. Priority will be given to applicants from countries of the Albertine Rift region. Conservation professionals working in governmental and non-governmental organizations with missions to manage and protect lands, natural resources, habitat and species will also be sought for participation in the program.

Criteria for selection include:

• Level of education and relevant experience and training;
• Level of competence in the applicant’s field(s) and intellectual abilities;
• Academic/Professional interests in areas related to and general familiarity with the topics of climate change and biodiversity conservation;
• Future professionalplans, commitment to work in the Albertine Rift region and potential for future leadership;
• Preliminary proposal for externship/practicum training/small research project;
• English language speaking and writing skills (the courses will be conducted in English; all application materials must be submitted in English).

Participation in the externship, practicum training or research project is limited to a total of 20 individuals. Selection of participants for this activity will be based on performance in the course(s) and priority will be given to those who have enrolled for and completed both courses.

Financial Support

Participants will receive financial support for local travel, accommodation and subsistence costs during the duration of the course. Those selected for the externships, practicum training or small research projects will also be awarded stipends of up to $2000 each.

The cost of travel to the University of Dar es Salaam from participants’ city of origin must however be covered by the participants themselves or their home institutions.

Application Deadline

All application materials must be received at IRA, Dar es Salaam no later than 29th February 2008 (16.00 Hrs East Africa Time) Applications received after the deadline and incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Prospective applicants are encouraged to forward their applications as early as possible.

Application Guidelines

Please follow the guidelines below to apply to the Education Program:

• Read eligibility requirements and decide if they apply to you. If you have questions, please contact IRA at:pass@ira.udsm.ac.tz. or  liwenga@ira.udsm.ac.tz

• Download the electronic Application Documents from either the IRA or START websites (www.ira.udsm.ac.tz/ and www.start.org). If you have problems downloading, copies can be requested from IRA via email (pass@ira.udsm.ac.tz or liwenga@ira.udsm.ac.tz). Application Documents include the following:
  Please you should Download the following forms
• Application Form
• Professional Reference Forms (2)
• Institutional Support Form
• Application Checklist

• Complete the electronic Application Form. Please fill in ALL the information requested.

• Arrange for TWO references to each complete the Professional Reference Form.

• Arrange for the Institutional Support Form to be filled out and signed by an appropriate representative of the Applicant's home institution. The purpose of this form is to let the Program organizers know that the institution is aware of the applicant’s intention to participate in the Program and that the institution supports this application. The form can be signed by the home institution’s Director, Department Head, or the Applicant’s direct supervisor.

• Prepare a Statement of Current Activities and Future Plans. The statement should provide a brief summary (no more than 2 pages; 12 point font size; top and bottom margins 1”; and left and right margins 1.25”) of your current academic, research or professional activities and future career plans that are most relevant to your qualifications for the Education Program. The statement must highlight your perception of the benefits of the Program in advancing your future career goals.

• Prepare a Preliminary Proposal for an externship/practicum training/small research project (no more than 1 page; 12 point font size; top and bottom margins 1”; and left and right margins 1.25”). This proposal should provide a short description of the proposed activity including details about the nature of this activity, the prospective host institution and its location, and the significance of this activity in the context of biodiversity conservation in the Albertine Rift Region. In addition, you must clearly specify your objectives for this activity and state the expected outcomes in terms of their relevance to adapting biodiversity conservation to climate change.

• Obtain and submit a copy of your Official University Transcript for the highest degree completed, listing courses taken and grades for each course. Transcripts in a language other than English must be translated into English.

• Submit a copy of your current Curriculum Vitae (no more than 2 pages; 12 point font size; top and bottom margins 1”; and left and right margins 1.25”) that summarizes information about your education, employment history, and other activities that are most relevant to your qualifications for the Education Program.

Contact information for IRA:

Education Program in Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation
Institute for Resource Assessment
University of Dar es Salaam
P. O. Box 35097
Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255 22 2410144
Email: pass@ira.udsm.ac.tz. or  liwenga@ira.udsm.ac.tz

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all application materials electronically. All forms can be electronically completed and submitted as email attachments. Electronic submission of the Professional Reference Forms must be done by the References themselves.

IMPORTANT: We recommend that you retain a copy of all the application material for your records. Please note that for your application to be considered, all application materials must be received by IRA no later than 29th February 2008 (16 hrs East Africa time). An acknowledgement will be sent to the applicant upon receipt of the application forms. Applicants will be notified of the selection committee’s decisions by the end of April 2008.

For questions regarding the course or the application process please contact IRA at: pass@ira.udsm.ac.tz. or  liwenga@ira.udsm.ac.tz