KOPERNIK LAST MILE RESEARCH FELLOW
HARD-WORKING, MOTIVATED, MULTILINGUAL TALENT WITH A PASSION FOR SOCIAL IMPACT? APPLY HERE.
ABOUT KOPERNIK
Kopernik
is an exciting, fast-growing, cutting-edge organisation tackling
technology distribution challenges. We emphasise a hybrid
philanthropy-business model in achieving our mission - different from the traditional charity approach of giving away goods and services for free.
Our
team works tirelessly to put the last mile first. Our culture shapes
the way we work. We value action, we get things done, we are open and
transparent in everything we do, and we always look for ways to
innovate. We come to work with a smile, which is easy when a strict no
jerks policy applies.
THE POSITION
We
are currently looking for 10 Last Mile Research Fellows to conduct
research and monitoring and evaluation tasks at a number of our project
locations.
DURATION
The Kopernik Last Mile Fellowship Program is a 10-week program running from June to August in 2015
THE SCHEDULE INVOLVES:
- June 1 – 5: Fellowship orientation in Kopernik HQ in Bali, Indonesia
- June 8 – July 31: Eight-week fieldwork in respective project locations
- Aug 3 – 7: Final presentation and wrap-up in Kopernik HQ in Bali, Indonesia
OVERVIEW
BACKGROUND
Kopernik
delivers simple, life-changing technologies to last mile communities to
reduce poverty. As of January 2015, Kopernik has distributed over
41,000 units of such products to over 220,000 people through the
implementation of over 120 projects in 21 countries.
Kopernik’s
co-founders, Toshi Nakamura and Ewa Wojkowska, saw that sustainable
energy technologies like solar lights, clean cookstoves, and water
filters that could improve the lives of poor people existed, but they
weren’t reaching the people who really needed them. They wanted to
bridge the gap and left a decade of service with the United Nations to
launch Kopernik in 2010.
Kopernik
connects producers of innovative technologies, communities that need
them, and donors through an online marketplace facilitating the movement
of money, technology, and information to improve the lives of the poor.
Kopernik balances a philanthropic and business approach to distributing
technology designed to benefit people in developing countries.
Donors
fund the upfront costs of introducing technologies and creating
micro-business opportunities in remote communities. The money raised
from product sales is reinvested in more technology for the last mile.
A
core component of Kopernik’s distribution model is the empowerment of
women who serve as retailers and promoters of sustainable energy
products for their own communities. These women are either existing
small shop owners or individuals looking to start their own businesses.
Through Kopernik’s training and mentorship, the women undergo ‘economic
empowerment journeys’ as they distribute technologies and develop their
businesses. The women’s empowerment model is described and published in
an article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review: http://kopernik.info/ update/subsidizing-impact
REQUIREMENTS
We require candidates with:
- A Masters degree or PhD (or degree candidate) in a relevant discipline such as international development, public administration, economics, business administration, engineering, public health, etc;
- Excellent communication skills in English (local language skills in Indonesian, Burmese, Hindi, Tetum, are highly valued);
- Excellent research and analytical skills;
- Advanced computer skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint and the ability to present information in a professional manner;
- A can-do and collaborative mind set – comfortable with the ambiguities and demands of a rapidly evolving work environment;
- Experience or a demonstrated willingness to travel to remote communities with limited infrastructure and services;
- Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment where communication can be difficult;
- High energy levels, resilience and adaptability;
- A commitment to Kopernik’s values and reaching underserved communities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
For
this Kopernik Last Mile Fellowship Program intake, Kopernik will be
recruiting candidates to work on three types of projects. Four
candidates will be recruited for project type #1, with one individual
working independently on each project. Six candidates will be recruited
for project type #2 and #3, with teams of three people working on each
assignment.
PROJECT TYPE #1: MONITORING AND EVALUATING KOPERNIK PROJECTS, ASIA-PACIFIC
The
key task involves conducting household surveys to understand the impact
of Kopernik’s projects on the people who use the technology distributed
(solar lights, fuel-efficient cookstoves or water filters) by
Kopernik’s local partners in the Asia-Pacific. The main deliverable will
be an impact assessment report to be published on our website. An
assessment will also take place to improve our relationship with the
local partner and improve our training and project monitoring processes.
Other research will be required to identify other potential NGOs/social
enterprises that Kopernik can partner with in the area for future
projects, livelihood mapping to identify other technologies that are
needed in the region, and research on locally available technologies.
Note:
One fellow at each location, with a total of four projects across the
Asia-Pacific (currently Indonesia, Myanmar, India and Timor-Leste but
subject to change).
PROJECT TYPE #2: OPERATIONAL RESEARCH FOR THE WONDER WOMEN PROGRAM, INDONESIA
Kopernik’s
current priority in Indonesia is the scaling up of the Wonder Women
program – an award-winning initiative that achieves women’s empowerment
and clean energy product distribution at the same time. The program is
implemented in Western Indonesia and Eastern Indonesia, involving
various donors and stakeholders.
Note:
A team of three fellows, working to contribute to the implementation of
operational research and qualitative studies already planned for the
program.
PROJECT TYPE #3: LIVELIHOOD PROCESS MAPPING, INDONESIA
Kopernik
is keen to identify inefficiencies and ‘room for innovation’ in various
sectors such as farming, fishing, transportation, etc. The deliverables
include an annual calendar explaining the different tools/processes
used for each economic activity and recommendations on which steps could
benefit from what kind of innovative technologies. This exercise will
feed directly into Kopernik’s Last Mile Consulting work, in which
Kopernik advises companies regarding developing services and products
for bottom of the pyramid (BOP) segments.
Note:
A team of three fellows, working to conduct research to improve
Kopernik’s knowledge on innovative technologies needed in last mile
communities.
BENEFITS & EXPECTATIONS:
- Fellows are expected to bring their own laptops to work on their deliverables;
- Fellows are expected to arrange and pay for their own flights to and from Bali, Indonesia, to coincide with the above-mentioned timetable;
- Fellows must cover the costs associated with travel insurance and travel vaccinations and must provide their travel insurance policy details to Kopernik;
- Fellows will be notified of country-specific requirements upon receiving their offer to participate in the program including visa requirements, what to bring and information regarding their host organisation and project location;
- Fellows will work full-time, Monday to Friday in line with the host organisation’s office opening hours with the weekends off to enjoy in-country;
- Kopernik will cover all transportation costs (flights, trains, taxis, etc.) associated with the round-trip travel between Bali and respective project locations;
- Kopernik will contribute US$500 as a stipend to cover fellows’ accommodation, food, and other living expenses (it is advisable that fellows find additional sources of funding to supplement this contribution);
- Kopernik will provide a supervisor to mentor and monitor your progress during your assignment and will visit you in the field;
- Kopernik will provide comprehensive training by industry professionals for one week in Bali prior to your mobilisation to the field and a one week wrap-up in Bali after your two months in the field is complete.
APPLY NOW
Please
submit your CV, a cover letter and a one minute video explaining why
you are perfect for this role via our online application form. https://kopernik.info/ civicrm/vacancy/apply?reset=1& id=2
Please
address how you fulfil the requirements listed in this advertisement in
your cover letter and state your preferences for specific project types
(#1, #2 or #3). If there is a particular country you are not willing to
travel to, please notify us of the country and the reason why so we are
aware of this when matching candidates to projects.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and interviews will take place in the first two weeks of March 2015.
No comments:
Post a Comment