March 2011 - KICTANet

Informative Website
by Eric Kirimi 08 Mar '11

08 Mar '11

Hallo Listers, I found this informative webinars website and thought you would be interested http://www.brighttalk.com/ regards, Eric. K

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free virtualization training classes
by Paul Roy 08 Mar '11

08 Mar '11

Folks, For those who have been asking for free virtualization training please book and attend the following fee classes http://blogs.technet.com/b/systemcenter/archive/2011/03/07/microsoft-virtua… regards, Paul Roy. Technology Strategist, Microsoft Corp.

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Kenya Blogger Invites President Kagame to an event through Twitter and he came
by Twahir Mohamed 08 Mar '11

08 Mar '11

Dear Listers, Below is a link that has the story above.........shows how social media has increased and african leaders paying more attention to opinions on the blogsphere http://bit.ly/eFlXQ3 -- Twahir

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Usage Reports from Safaricom for Prepaid Customers
by Edwin Onchari 07 Mar '11

07 Mar '11

Listers, Is anyone aware, where on the Safaricom site I can access usage on my prepaid line. Lately, my faithful KSHS 100 weekly credit gets used up mighty fast. I would like to view the history on my account to ensure that I am not being ripped off somehow. Do any of the other Telkoms have this facility? Edwin

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ICANN board response to GAC on new gTLDs
by alice＠apc.org 07 Mar '11

07 Mar '11

Dear all Please find attached ICANN's board response to the GAC score card on new gTLDs. best alice

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The Death of Cybercafes?
by Edith Adera 07 Mar '11

07 Mar '11

Listers Just back from Ghana where I was impressed to see that cybercafes are still alive (e.g. BusyInternet)...as my experience in Kenya is that it's hard to find a functional cybercafe within easy reach with cutting edge services and programs (PDF etc)....most are closing down with Internet available on the mobile (with aggressive competition). So outside the office set-up and with minimal home connections...one has almost no options for innovation. Is it a good thing that cybers are dying in Kenya and broadband is yet to reach homes? what needs to be done differently to inform our efforts on digital villages etc? Edith ________________ Edith Ofwona Adera Senior Program Specialist ICT4D Program and Climate Change & Water Program International Development Research Centre | Centre de recherches pour le développement international Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa Tel: +254202713160 | Fax/Téléc: +254202711063 | Skype: edithadera eadera(a)idrc.or.ke<mailto:eadera@idrc.or.ke> | www.idrc.ca<http://www.idrc.ca/> | www.crdi.ca<http://www.crdi.ca/> [https://email.idrc.or.ke/owa/attachment.ashx?id=RgAAAAANayfd3%2b2VQYZo%2flc…]

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Bob Collymore; Yet to arrive
by robert yawe 07 Mar '11

07 Mar '11

Hi Listers, I had a chance to catch my namesake Robert Collymore's on the bench interview rerun with Jeff Koinange and it was quite enlightening especially from how he answered the questions. For some reason Jeff was too mellow seems like he had been given a script which was unfortunate, his interview of one Kaguta Museveni was more punchy. As I listened to the interview it became clear that Bob has still not arrived in Kenya, he is here physically but his heart must have been lost in transit, airlines keep doing it with peoples luggage, he needs a chance to arrive. I would suggest that first someone takes him across to Njuguna's preferably after Mututho, best would be if it was with a non-safaricom supplier or staff member as he needs an orientation in Kenyanism. After this he needs to visit Kiamaiko and also watch a soccer match at Dandora or Kibera stadiums then he will be better placed to comment on the Kenyan. He might even be allowed to get aware with using terms like Kubafu and peculiar to describe us. Unlike MJ, Bob has come to occupy the sit at the top of an existing ivory tower that Micheal built, from where the view can be very deceiving and his lieutenants are likely to insulate him from what is happening on the ground. If he genuinely wants to sort our the rote within Safaricom and move the organisation into the future then he must descend from the ivory tower and order his heart back via express courier otherwise his stay shall be short and uneventful. You cannot appreciate the bigger picture if you have no contact with the sectoral one, the pixels make the picture. Just my take from the answers he gave to the soft questions that where rolled towards him. Regards Bob akaribishwe kimtaa Robert Yawe KAY System Technologies Ltd Phoenix House, 6th Floor P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 Kenya Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696

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Re: [kictanet] Bob Collymore; Yet to arrive
by Betty Mwangi 05 Mar '11

05 Mar '11

Thanks Emmanuel - kindly send me your contact details so we can investigate this further - we do appreciate your feedback and are keen to ensure resolution. Rgds Sent from my iPad On Mar 5, 2011, at 6:00 AM, "Emmanuel Khisa" <oloo.khisa(a)googlemail.com> wrote: > Not to beat down a man who is "already down", I submit that the problem with Mpesa airtime has been a problem for more than one month on and off and the problem is much bigger than last Sunday's update. It is crucial for Safaricom to be honest with itself, and seek to once and for all fix this problem. Its not just affecting them, its affecting multiple other industries... > > My take. > > On Fri, Mar 4, 2011 at 9:36 PM, Betty Mwangi <bmwangi1(a)safaricom.co.ke> wrote: > Thanks for this information Njeri - please can you send me the details of the outlets that failed to serve you so that we can take immediate action. Further we would like to assure you that M-KESHO is operational and if you experience any problems please do not hesitate to contact me. > > Regarding Mr Ouma's e mail below it is true that following the network upgrade last weekend there was a fault with M-PESA airtime top up for self and this has also been resolved. Please send me your contact details so that we can look into your specific issue if the problem is persisting. > > We apologize for the inconvenience. > > Best rgds > > Betty Mwangi - Thuo > > > Sent from my iPad > > On Mar 4, 2011, at 6:39 PM, "Njeri" <njeri.rionge(a)igniteconsulting.co.ke> wrote: > >> I wanted to load 40k last week and was only able to do so by going to three outlets, then sending it was another issue, not to mention some told me mkesho is now mkesho kutwa. :-) >> >> Sent from my iPhone. >> >> Njeri >> >> www.njeri-rionge.com >> >> On Mar 4, 2011, at 18:22, Michael Bullut <michael.bullut(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> The MPesa service is currently down... I tried depositing some funds an hour ago at two agents in Westlands and they told me the system is unavailable... >>> >>> On Fri, Mar 4, 2011 at 3:03 PM, Michael Ouma <benomnta(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >>> If this was facebook, I would said "like this" comment. >>> >>> I can't top up my credit via mpesa neither can I top up another number via the same mpesa since last week. >>> >>> Michael Ouma >>> Journalist >>> Kenya >>> Tel:+254-725-537823 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> "Do not go where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail," - Ralph Waldo Emerson >>> >>> >>> From: robert yawe <robertyawe(a)yahoo.co.uk> >>> To: benomnta(a)yahoo.com >>> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> >>> Sent: Fri, March 4, 2011 8:36:30 AM >>> Subject: [kictanet] Bob Collymore; Yet to arrive >>> >>> Hi Listers, >>> >>> I had a chance to catch my namesake Robert Collymore's on the bench interview rerun with Jeff Koinange and it was quite enlightening especially from how he answered the questions. >>> >>> For some reason Jeff was too mellow seems like he had been given a script which was unfortunate, his interview of one Kaguta Museveni was more punchy. >>> >>> As I listened to the interview it became clear that Bob has still not arrived in Kenya, he is here physically but his heart must have been lost in transit, airlines keep doing it with peoples luggage, he needs a chance to arrive. >>> >>> I would suggest that first someone takes him across to Njuguna's preferably after Mututho, best would be if it was with a non-safaricom supplier or staff member as he needs an orientation in Kenyanism. After this he needs to visit Kiamaiko and also watch a soccer match at Dandora or Kibera stadiums then he will be better placed to comment on the Kenyan. He might even be allowed to get aware with using terms like Kubafu and peculiar to describe us. >>> >>> Unlike MJ, Bob has come to occupy the sit at the top of an existing ivory tower that Micheal built, from where the view can be very deceiving and his lieutenants are likely to insulate him from what is happening on the ground. >>> >>> If he genuinely wants to sort our the rote within Safaricom and move the organisation into the future then he must descend from the ivory tower and order his heart back via express courier otherwise his stay shall be short and uneventful. You cannot appreciate the bigger picture if you have no contact with the sectoral one, the pixels make the picture. >>> >>> Just my take from the answers he gave to the soft questions that where rolled towards him. >>> >>> Regards >>> >>> Bob akaribishwe kimtaa >>> >>> >>> Robert Yawe >>> KAY System Technologies Ltd >>> Phoenix House, 6th Floor >>> P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200 >>> Kenya >>> >>> Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: michael.bullut(a)gmail.com >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/michael.bullut%40gmail… >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Warm regards, >>> >>> Michael Bullut. >>> >>> --- >>> >>> Cell: +254 723 393 114. >>> Google Talk: michael.bullut >>> Twitter: @Kipsang >>> Blog: http://kipsang.wordpress.com/ >>> Email: michael.bullut(a)gmail.com >>> >>> --- >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> kictanet mailing list >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>> >>> This message was sent to: njeri.rionge(a)igniteconsulting.co.ke >>> Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/njeri.rionge%40ignitec… >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> This message was sent to: bmwangi1(a)safaricom.co.ke >> Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/bmwangi1%40safaricom.c… > Note: > All emails sent from Safaricom Limited are subject to Safaricom’s Email Terms & Conditions. Please click here to read the policy. > > > _______________________________________________ > kictanet mailing list > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke > http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet > > This message was sent to: oloo.khisa(a)gmail.com > Unsubscribe or change your options at http://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/oloo.khisa%40gmail.com > > > > > -- > Oloo Khisa > P.O. Box 24324-00100 > Nairobi > 0721321086/0734321086 > http://ke.linkedin.com/in/olookhisa > ##################################################################################### NOTE: All emails sent from Safaricom Limited are subject to Safaricom�s Email Terms & Conditions. Please click here to read the policy. #####################################################################################

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Apply now for ICANN's Leadership Positions: Introducing the Nominating Committee (NomCom)
by Alice Munyua 05 Mar '11

05 Mar '11

Dear all, (apologies for cross posting) Please see below an announcement below from ICANN's nominating committee. They are seeking to fill leadership positions with people with skills and interest in multi stakeholder policy development as well as internet governance in general. For example, the At Large Committee (ALAC) would be a very interesting entry point for people interested in a broad range of issues, ccNSO (Country Code Names Supporting Organization) works mainly on (country code top level domains) ccTLDs, while the gNSO focuses on policy development for generic names. Would be great if we could get more of us involved! best Alice ------------------- Apply now for ICANN's Leadership Positions: Introducing the Nominating Committee (NomCom) The NomCom is an independent committee that, over a three-year cycle, is responsible for the selection and appointment of half of the voting members of ICANN's Board of Directors as well as members of ICANN's policy making Supporting Organizations and Advisory Councils. The 2011 NomCom is currently seeking volunteers willing to join ICANN's leadership and help shape the future of the Internet. The application process for the following positions is now open: * At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) (3 seats, Africa; Asia/Australia/Pacific; and Latin America/Caribbean Islands regions) * Generic Names Supporting Organization Council (GNSO) (2 seats) * Country Code Names Support Organization Council (ccNSO) (1 seat) * Board of Directors (2 seats) Information about the qualifications and experience required for these positions is available on the NomCom website http://nomcom.icann.org/positions-2011.htm Self-nominations are welcome, or you can suggest a candidate -- if you know someone who could help lead development of policy for the Domain Name System, then the NomCom wants to hear from you! Visit the NomCom website http://nomcom.icann.org/ for details of how to apply http://nomcom.icann.org/apply or how to recommend an expert http://nomcom.icann.org/suggest/ for a position. NomCom Chair, Adam Peake <ajp(a)glocom.ac.jp> would be pleased to answer any questions a potential candidates may have. Closing date for applications 4 April 2011. END --

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Fwd: Jobs in Mobiles and Finance / Mobiles and Agriculture with GSMA in London
by Alice Munyua 04 Mar '11

04 Mar '11

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Jobs in Mobiles and Finance / Mobiles and Agriculture with GSMA in London Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 15:52:17 +0000 From: Richard Heeks <richard.heeks(a)manchester.ac.uk> To: Richard Heeks <richard.heeks(a)manchester.ac.uk> Job 1: Mobile Money for the Unbanked Programme Coordinator Department Development Fund Location London Salary Competitive Assesment Interview/psychometric Reporting to Programme Director Deadline: 10th of March *Description* The MMU Coordinator role is primarily a role supporting the members of the MMU team, as well as the various activities and programmes that the MMU team runs. On top of this the chosen candidate will be expected to contribute ideas for impactful mobile money industry events and workshops with the rest of the MMU team and then will be responsible for transforming these ideas into successful working sessions. This person will be responsible for creating and issuing the agenda (with input from the MMU team), preparing materials in advance, arranging logistics, communicating with members and driving attendance to the each session and also work with the Knowledge Manager to ensure that appropriate content is effectively disseminated to the wider MM community post the event. The MMU Coordinator will also be responsible for gathering appropriate feedback and carrying out analysis on the data collected from our stakeholders to ensure that we are effectively meeting their needs, having the right impact and also suggesting ways to improve our Programme activities so that we continue to raise the bar. There are currently two main events each year, which the MMU Coordinator will be expected to attend (currently planned for Singapore, June 2011), and then approximately three regional events each year (across Asia, LatAm and Africa -- Coordinator attendance TBC). They will also be responsible for customer relationship management for the MMU Programme, ensuring a database of our contacts is maintained and managed. They will also be the first line of contact for queries from existing members or enquiries from potential members of the MMU Programme. The MMU Coordinator will support the Programme Manager to complete programme management tasks such as status reporting, financial planning, etc., including tollgate reporting to our sponsors at the Gates Foundation. They will also be responsible for supplier contracting and managing the invoice payments process with the Finance teams, to ensure all suppliers are contracted and managed appropriately. They will also be responsible for supporting the team during peak periods, either for administration support (e.g. booking meetings, travel, etc.) or more ad hoc tasks (to be agreed with the Coordinator and the Programme Manager). The MMU Coordinator will also be responsible for ensuring that MMU is appropriately represented in wider Mobile Money events, through ensuring good coordination with their opposite number from the wider MM theme. The MMU Coordinator will be an integral part of the MMU team and will be exposed not only to the operational side of the Programme but also on helping to shape our activities and strategy, e.g. they will be expected to contribute ideas for how we can continue to increase our impact on the mobile money industry. They will work closely with the Programme Manager to ensure that the strategy and operational plans are regularly reviewed and any modifications are effectively communicated to the wider Development Fund and beyond as appropriate. The MMU Coordinator will also be given their own MMU project to complete, which will require research (this may be a primary research such as an interview for the MMU Newsletter with a key player in the industry, or secondary research based on existing published materials). The scope of this will be agreed with the Programme Manager, based on the programme's needs as well as the Coordinator's own interests and aspirations. They will have significant exposure to the key players in the mobile money industry and will be expected to have a keen interest in learning about the role of mobile communications to bank the unbanked, and growing their own network in this space. The MMU Coordinator will report to the Programme Manager. *Context* GSMA -- Mobile Money for the Unbanked Programme (MMU) The MMU Programme is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of the Programme is to provide mobile money services to 20 million new unbanked people who are living on sub $2 per day by 2012. Furthermore, MMU will strive for mobile money to 1) be considered mainstream business for mobile operators, 2) be extensively available to those who have been previously unbanked, and 3) extend the reach and reduce the costs for formal financial services such as savings, insurance and credit. The Programme will achieve its aims by working closely with key industry bodies (regulatory bodies and financial institutions) as well as a number of mobile network operators (GSMA members) who have the opportunity to make the biggest impact within the mobile money space. MMU will also work to raise advocacy for mobile money more broadly within the industry, by ensuring that key industry developments, learnings and best practice are appropriately packaged and shared. MMU will convene the industry in a series of Working Groups and Sub-Groups, in order to better understand and resolve key issues facing mobile money. It will also provide grant funding to mobile money projects, in order to foster innovation and accelerate deployments, and the MMU team will work closely with these projects to ensure their success. The right candidate will join a young, dynamic, high performing team (currently 5 people strong, from financial services, telecommunications and strategy consulting backgrounds). There will be extensive travel opportunities, particularly within developing markets across Asia, Latin America and Africa. *Criteria* GSMA - The Person The role requires an individual who is a well organized team player, with a desire to learn about mobile money and play a role in supporting the development of this industry through our Programme. Specifically: - Drive and proactivity - demonstrates a "can do" attitude, and eager to identify and suggest ways of improving existing processes - Previous experience of working on a large Programme and knowledge of programme management practices - Very conscientious -- sets high personal standards and shows excellent attention to detail - Highly professional -- comfortable interacting with internal and external stakeholders, including C-level executives - Demonstrates a will to learn about the industry (by active participation in team meetings, with questions or insight about MMU industry) - Good knowledge of MS Office (Excel, Word and Powerpoint) - Basic analytical skills - Able to quickly grasp new concepts and ideas - Willingness to travel on an international basis - Excellent cultural awareness and a desire to work with teams around the world - language skills highly desirable Click here to complete an application form for this position https://infocentre.gsm.org/cgi-bin/jb_job_apply.cgi?jb_job_id=dev-lon-210&j… Fund <https://infocentre.gsm.org/cgi-bin/jb_job_apply.cgi?jb_job_id=dev-lon-210&j…> Job 2: mAgri Coordinator *Role Details* __ Role Title: mAgri Coordinator *Reporting to: mAgri Director* Company: GSMA Development Fund ** * Location: London* ** *About the GSMA Development Fund* ** The GSMA Development Fund exists to accelerate economic, social and environmental development through the use of mobile technology. We believe that providing tangible, accessible mobile services to people in developing countries is invaluable to society and can help improve people's lives. The Development Fund leverages the industry expertise of the GSMA and its members, as well as the development expertise of international agencies and non-profit organisations to accelerate mobile services in six areas: Mobile Agriculture, Mobile Money for the Unbanked, Green Power for Mobile, mWomen, Mobile Health and Mobile Learning.Together with our partners, we incubate and replicate new mobile services in communities where they can make a positive difference. We believe that "doing good, is good business" and that with more than 3 billion users, 'base of the pyramid' markets are the future for mobile growth and innovation. The mobile industry is therefore uniquely positioned to deliver economic and social value to these markets. In order to drive developments in this area the Development Fund's role is to catalyse innovation, drive market scaling and increase knowledge networking to achieve the following objectives: ·Increase the number of effective, scalable and replicable development initiatives using mobile technology in emerging markets. ·Implement these initiatives in a scalable and sustainable fashion, bringing socio-economic benefits to individuals and communities. ·Increase awareness among governments and the development community of how GSM voice and data networks act as an agent of development and can be used to bridge the digital divide. http://www.gsmworld.com/developmentfund/index.shtml ** *Programme Description * ** ** GSMA -- Mobile Agriculture (mAgri) The GSMA Development Fund's Mobile Agriculture (mAgri) initiative has been established to catalyse the deployment of mobile solutions to serve the agriculture sector. To date, focus has been to engage with mobile operators and their partners to accelerate the availability of agriculture information based services through mobile to farmers (mFarmer services). In partnerships with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, the mAgri programme has supported and piloted two projects in Africa and India. We are due to launch a second phase of mAgri programme -- mFarmer sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of the mFarmer programme is to work with mobile network operators and partners to support the launch of quality agricultural VAS that will be accessed by over 2 million smallholder farmers. The programme aims to provide a sustainable way for farmers to obtain critical life-enhancing agricultural information that can help them improve their farm productivity and income. The mFarmer programme will achieve its aims by working closely with mobile network operators (GSMA members) and other public and private sector agriculture organisations who are implementing agricultural VAS. Through an open application process, the mFarmer programme will award challenge funds, technical assistance and an electronic content database to selected mFarmer projects, in order to foster innovation and accelerate deployments. The mAgri team will work closely on the ground with these projects to ensure their success. The mAgri team will also work to raise advocacy for mobile agriculture more broadly within the industry, by ensuring that key industry developments, learnings and best practices are appropriately packaged and shared; and convene the industry in order to better understand and resolve key issues facing mobile agriculture initiatives. The right candidate will join a newly forming, young, dynamic, high performing team. There will be travel opportunities, particularly within Sub-Saharan Africa. *Role Description* ** ** The role will encompass: ·*Programme management support*(40%) - the mAgri Coordinator will work with the mAgri team to create a robust programme management structure to support the new programme and will be actively involved in tasks such as status reporting and financial reporting. They will be responsible for supplier contracting and managing the invoice payments process with the Finance teams, to ensure all suppliers are contracted and managed appropriately. They will support the grant management co-ordination and work closely with the grant management partner and applicants. They will also be responsible for customer relationship management for the mAgri Programme, ensuring a database of our contacts is maintained and managed. They will be the first line of contact for queries from existing members or enquiries from potential members of the mAgri Programme. They will also be responsible for supporting the team during peak periods, either for administration support (e.g. booking meetings, travel, etc.) or more ad hoc tasks (to be agreed with the Coordinator and the Programme Director). ·*Marketing support (20%) *- The mAgri Coordinator will work closely with the mAgri team and marketing team to raise the profile of the mAgri programme. They will be responsible for co-ordinating marketing plans, establishing and maintaining the presence of the mAgri programme on-line, studying industry trends, and co-ordinating knowledge management with the wider team. The mAgri Coordinator will be an integral part of the mAgri team and will be exposed not only to the operational side of the Programme but also on helping to shape our activities and strategy, and they will be expected to contribute ideas for how we can continue to increase our impact on the mAgri industry. They will work closely with the Programme Director to ensure that the strategy and operational plans are regularly reviewed and any modifications are effectively communicated to the wider Development Fund and beyond as appropriate. ·*Events and workshop co-ordination*(20%) - The mAgri Coordinator will work with the mAgri team to create successful knowledge transfer sessions (for example, working groups, webinars, workshops). This person will be responsible for all logistical planning and execution including issuing the agenda (with input from the mAgri team), preparing materials in advance, arranging logistics, communicating with members and driving attendance to the each session and also work with the mAgri team to ensure that appropriate content is effectively disseminated to the wider mAgri community pre, during and post the event. The mAgri Coordinator will also be responsible for gathering appropriate feedback and carrying out analysis on the data collected from our stakeholders to ensure that we are effectively meeting their needs, having the right impact and also suggesting ways to improve our Programme activities so that we continue to raise the bar. The person will have significant exposure to the key players in the mobile agriculture industry and will be expected to have a keen interest in learning about the role of mobile communications to serve the agriculture sector, and growing their own network in this space. The mAgri co-ordinator will also spend 20% of their time supporting the GSMA Development Fund more widely and helping to co-ordinate GSMA Development Fund cross-programme activities, as directed by the Managing Director of the Development Fund. *GSMA Package* ** ** Salary band £28-£35k, subject to experience Bonus up to 10% of salary The GSMA is able to provide suitably motivated candidates with a first class working environment, access to all of the key decision makers in a one of the planets largest and most progressive industry's and the content to keep a curious mind engaged. Many of our alumni have now taken key roles in the development of the industry. How to apply Name: Clare Kibbey Contact form or email: jobs(a)gsm.org Application deadline: Fri, 25/03/2011 Job 3: mAgri Manager *Role Details* Role Title: mAgri Manager Reporting to: mAgri Director Company: GSMA Development Fund Location: Sub-Saharan Africa (location tbd) *About the GSMA Development Fund* The GSMA Development Fund exists to accelerate economic, social and environmental development through the use of mobile technology. We believe that providing tangible, accessible mobile services to people in developing countries is invaluable to society and can help improve people's lives. The Development Fund leverages the industry expertise of the GSMA and its members, as well as the development expertise of international agencies and non-profit organisations to accelerate mobile services in six areas: Mobile Agriculture, Mobile Money for the Unbanked, Green Power for Mobile, mWomen, Mobile Health and Mobile Learning. Together with our partners, we incubate and replicate new mobile services in communities where they can make a positive difference. We believe that "doing good, is good business" and that with more than 3 billion users, 'base of the pyramid' markets are the future for mobile growth and innovation. The mobile industry is therefore uniquely positioned to deliver economic and social value to these markets. In order to drive developments in this area the Development Fund's role is to catalyse innovation, drive market scaling and increase knowledge networking to achieve the following objectives: ? Increase the number of effective, scalable and replicable development initiatives using mobile technology in emerging markets. ? Implement these initiatives in a scalable and sustainable fashion, bringing socioeconomic benefits to individuals and communities. ? Increase awareness among governments and the development community of how GSM voice and data networks act as an agent of development and can be used to bridge the digital divide. http://www.gsmworld.com/developmentfund/index.shtml *GSMA -- Mobile Agriculture (mAgri)* The GSMA Development Fund's Mobile Agriculture (mAgri) initiative has been established to catalyse the deployment of mobile solutions to serve the agriculture sector. To date, focus has been to engage with mobile operators and their partners to accelerate the availability of agriculture information based services through mobile to farmers (mFarmer services). In partnerships with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, the mAgri programme has supported and piloted two projects in Africa and India. We are due to launch a second phase of mAgri programme -- mFarmer sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of the mFarmer programme is to work with mobile network operators and partners to support the launch of quality agricultural VAS that will be accessed by over 2 million smallholder farmers. The programme aims to provide a sustainable way for farmers to obtain critical life-enhancing agricultural information that can help them improve their farm productivity and income. The mFarmer programme will achieve its aims by working closely with mobile network operators (GSMA members) and other public and private sector agriculture organisations who are implementing agricultural VAS. Through an open application process, the mFarmer programme will award challenge funds, technical assistance and an electronic content database to selected mFarmer projects, in order to foster innovation and accelerate deployments. The mAgri team will work closely on the ground with these projects to ensure their success. The mAgri team will also work to raise advocacy for mobile agriculture more broadly within the industry, by ensuring that key industry developments, learnings and best practices are appropriately packaged and shared; and convene the industry in order to better understand and resolve key issues facing mobile agriculture initiatives. Th right candidate will join a newly forming, young, dynamic, high performing team. *Programme Description* The GSMA Development Fund is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to work as a manager across multiple mFarmer projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and India. The role will encompass: ? Technical Assistance (70%) -- work directly with potential grantees to develop grant applications (which will include operational and business plans for the mFarmer projects) that can be presented to the Fund Panel. Support operators which have received funding from the mFarmer Fund and work onsite as a consultant/technical advisor to develop and implement their service strategy, robust business and operational plans, share lessons learned in other markets, and troubleshoot key challenges. Ensure the agricultural service is designed and implemented to provide a high-quality of service and impact to farmers; and can be scaleable and sustainable. Provide IT/systems assistance for the integration of an electronic content database. Develop and manage key stakeholders relationships critical for the programme's success, including mobile phone operators, value added service providers, agriculture institutes and donor agencies. Understand and develop new business models and partnerships. ? Best practice and knowledge sharing (15%) -- Help define the overall GSMA mAgri advocacy strategy. Extract key learnings and analytics from each mFarmer project deployment and raise advocacy for mobile agricultural services more broadly within the industry, by ensuring that key industry developments, learnings and best practices are appropriately packaged and shared. This could be in the form of writing case studies and online reports and conducting knowledge sharing sessions via working groups, webinars and workshops (in collaboration with the other mAgri team members). ? Programme and project monitoring (15%) -- Define project plans, milestones and success measures; prepare timely and comprehensive analysis of progress against metrics and milestones. Prepare progress and financial reports, as required. Manage third party monitoring and evaluation services. Liaise with a third party grant management organisation to contract grants and ensure contractual obligations are met. *Role Description* - Consultancy and business development experience - Outstanding general and project management skills - Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills - Proven track record of achievement under a range of challenging situations (ideally in multiple countries, especially developing countries) - Experienced or passionate in agriculture development and the role of mobile technology - Experience of the mobile telecoms sector and development sector is desirable - Experience of designing or implementing new IT systems is desirable - Excellent relationship management and cultural awareness skills, able to work equally well in a CEO boardroom or a local village - Driven, proactive and conscientious professional - Excellent analytical skills - Willingness to travel on an international basis How to apply Name: Clare Kibbey Contact form or email: jobs(a)gsm.org Application deadline: Fri, 25/03/2011

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