December 19, 2012
It's been a long while since I last posted. But then again, it's been a long while since I've travelled anywhere not on the typical travel radar. Between now and India I've had coffee in Seattle, sailed through the Salt Spring Islands, hiked trails on the outskirts of Whistler BC, and co-hosted an orphan Christmas in downtown Van. Lots of North American west coast adventuring.
Today though...today I learned I'm on my way to Nigeria for a 12 month posting with CUSO. I'll be working with an organization called Concern Universal (CU). To quote:
"CU is an international NGO working in partnership with nine different local partners in three states of Southern Nigeria (Cross River, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom). CU Nigeria implements projects in four thematic areas (water and sanitation; environmental and livelihoods; gender; and human rights) mainly funded by the European Commission, with overarching activities like HIV and AIDS and Disaster Risk Reduction."
As Communications Advisor, my "likely" duties are associated with Nigeria's crippling youth unemployment and the whole area of securing livelihoods. Responsibilities are described as follows:
1. Review existing publications and provide suggestions that would improve the quality of information, education and communication materials disseminated to stakeholders and beneficiaries.
2. Conduct a comprehensive assessment to review the communication protocols and identify existing gaps.
3. Provide technical and creative assistance to graphic designers for publications design and layout.
4. Support the organization's development and implementation of a communications strategy.
5. Build capacity of staff in terms of marketing and public relations.
Departure is (tentatively) mid-February 2013. What with Visa and work permit documents, travel clinic visits and innoculations and personal financial arrangements, suffice it to say there's a whole crap load of things to do prior to leaving on a jet plane.
And so, another life chapter begins...
It's been a long while since I last posted. But then again, it's been a long while since I've travelled anywhere not on the typical travel radar. Between now and India I've had coffee in Seattle, sailed through the Salt Spring Islands, hiked trails on the outskirts of Whistler BC, and co-hosted an orphan Christmas in downtown Van. Lots of North American west coast adventuring.
Today though...today I learned I'm on my way to Nigeria for a 12 month posting with CUSO. I'll be working with an organization called Concern Universal (CU). To quote:
"CU is an international NGO working in partnership with nine different local partners in three states of Southern Nigeria (Cross River, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom). CU Nigeria implements projects in four thematic areas (water and sanitation; environmental and livelihoods; gender; and human rights) mainly funded by the European Commission, with overarching activities like HIV and AIDS and Disaster Risk Reduction."
As Communications Advisor, my "likely" duties are associated with Nigeria's crippling youth unemployment and the whole area of securing livelihoods. Responsibilities are described as follows:
1. Review existing publications and provide suggestions that would improve the quality of information, education and communication materials disseminated to stakeholders and beneficiaries.
2. Conduct a comprehensive assessment to review the communication protocols and identify existing gaps.
3. Provide technical and creative assistance to graphic designers for publications design and layout.
4. Support the organization's development and implementation of a communications strategy.
5. Build capacity of staff in terms of marketing and public relations.
Departure is (tentatively) mid-February 2013. What with Visa and work permit documents, travel clinic visits and innoculations and personal financial arrangements, suffice it to say there's a whole crap load of things to do prior to leaving on a jet plane.
And so, another life chapter begins...
