Announcing RWI's Capacity Advancement Fellowship in Extractives

The Revenue Watch Institute (RWI) and the Oil for Development Program (OfD) of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation are pleased to announce the launch of the RWI Capacity Advancement Fellowship in Extractives (CA Fellowship) program. Open to civil society activists from Ecuador and Uganda, the CA Fellowship program seeks to accelerate civil society’s role in promoting the better management of oil, minerals, and gas for the public good. Fellows in the year long program will investigate both international best practices for the management of extractive resources and the current of role civil society organizations in promoting change.

In the first half of the program, from June through December 2008 CA Fellows will be placed at RWI offices in either London or New York and participate in a program that includes: daily engagement in projects at the Revenue Watch Institute, options to audit extractive industry related classes at leading academic institutions, numerous technical trainings, donor and civil society networking events, and a mentorship with one of RWI’s professional staff members. After the fellows return to their home organization, CA Fellows will implement a projected based on their experience in the fall, with the continued support of their mentor. A short report highlighting the fellows’ learning will be published on the Revenue Watch website at the culmination of the term.

The specific activities at the Revenue Watch Institute will decided on based on the candidate’s preferences and experience but may include: (1) the design, research, and drafting of policy brief papers that are geared towards specific advocacy objectives; (2) research support to RWI on legal, economic and political issues in support of ongoing programs (3) support to RWI’s capacity-building team including development of training curriculum, reading lists/other training tools and materials, organization and implementation of trainings and capacity-building programs (4) EITI monitoring and outreach support (5) grants evaluation assistance and support and (6) assistance drafting materials for RWI’s website. RWI will also work with the CA Fellows and their particular interests and goals to develop a tailored program of capacity-building and work experience that addresses key goals for the fellows in moving the revenue transparency campaign forward upon their return home.

Revenue Watch is currently seeking applications for the CA Fellowship program. Successful candidates will receive full financial support for the duration of their term in New York or London, including travel, accommodation and living stipend. Financial support for the implementation of home country projects may be available for competitive review up.

The successful CA Fellowship candidate will have at minimum an undergraduate degree/equivalent and background in civil society research, monitoring and activism around budget/extractive revenue transparency, accountability and efficiency issues, a dedicated commitment to going back to their country and remain involved as a civil society activist in this field and excellent English skills. They also must have the explicit support of their current home organization to pursue all aspects of this fellowship.

Additional countries and Associate positions may be added to this list in the coming months.

To apply, please send the following to Rebecca Iwerks at riwerks@revenuewatch.org no later than May 9th, 2008.

A. CV or resume

B. Letter from your current manager/head of your organization recommending you for the fellowship and committing to support fellowship and post-fellowship activities

C. A detailed cover letter that includes:

• An outline of extractive related issues in your country and the current work you, your organization, and civil society groups broadly are doing in response
• An outline of what you will seek to learn and achieve during the 6 month period abroad
• A description of how you will use the learning and products from the fellowship on their return to your country and organization
  

The Revenue Watch Institute promotes the responsible management of oil, gas and mineral resources for the public good. With effective revenue management, citizen engagement and real government accountability, natural resource wealth can drive development and national growth. RWI provides the expertise, funding and technical assistance to help countries realize these benefits.