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Department for International Development
Training Award in Biometrics
Associate Professional Officers Scheme
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There is almost sure to be one award for biometrics, amongst the APOS
awards for 1999 offered by the UK Government Department for International
Development. This is aimed at someone who has, or will by mid-1999
receive, a good first degree in mathematics and/or statistics and who
wishes to be useful while gaining work experience in a developing country.
Candidates should either be nationals of the European Economic Area or
Commonwealth citizens who have an established right of abode and right to
work in the UK.
The award offers financial support, covering tuition fees and maintenance
comparable to a research council grant, to undertake an appropriate M.Sc.in
Biometry or Statistics. This is followed by an overseas placement, likely
to be in a project or an institution concerned with agricultural,
biological, environmental or other natural resource-related problems. A
typical placement might be for about a year, with travel costs, a
not-very-generous salary, but a number of valuable fringe benefits e.g.
substantial help with housing costs. The three most recent Biometric APOs
(two women, one man) have been posted in Kenya, Niger/Mali, and Zambia.
Preference is given to applicants who already have work experience,
preferably at least 12 months, and preferably some experience in developing
countries. Holders of an M.Sc. in Biometry or Statistics, or those who
expect to complete such an M.Sc. in 1998, can apply for practical placement
only. Holders of degrees in biological subjects may be considered if
their mathematical and statistical background clearly qualifies them for
direct admission to a relevant M.Sc.
The scheme is intended to assist young professionals to improve their
expertise and consequently their potential to work in less developed
countries. It is not for the benefit of graduates who simply wish to
obtain higher qualifications; the selection process will take into account
applicants' (i) awareness of development issues, (ii) understanding of the
role they can play, and (iii) suitability for, and commitment to, working
in developing countries. The recent White Paper on International
Development will be of interest to suitable applicants.
More details are available from DFID. See the text of DFID's own
advertisement (reproduced below) for current financial figures, address
etc.
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Advertisement to appear soon in
THE GUARDIAN / NEW CIVIL ENGINEER / NEW SCIENTIST / THE ECONOMIST
DFID Training Awards
ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS SCHEME (APOS)
The Associate Professional Officers Scheme, is aimed at young professionals
who wish to work in international development.
The scheme offers successful candidates a range of opportunities, depending
on the sector, to pursue academic training to Masters degree level in the
UK and/or gain practical work experience either in developing countries or
in the UK. Candidates who already have the relevant higher academic
qualification may apply for the practical work experience only. In some
disciplines, including Education, Engineering, Physical Planning, Political
Science and Public Sector Management, the emphasis will be on practical
experience only. Awards are normally for 1-2 years.
In 1999 we hope to consider awards in the following sectors: Agriculture,
Agricultural Engineering, Animal Health/Animal Production, Biodiversity
Preservation, Biometrics, Education, Enterprise Development, Environment,
Engineering, Physical Planning, Forestry, Agro-Forestry, Fisheries and
Aquaculture, Integrated Coastal Resource Management, Health and Population,
Natural Resources Economics, Political Science and Public Sector
Management, and Social Development.
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should either be nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA)
or Commonwealth citizens who have an established right of abode and right
to work in the UK. Applicants should have, or expect to have, a good
relevant first degree and relevant work experience, preferably in
development overseas. In some disciplines, applicants with a minimum of
two years work experience in a developing country will be at an advantage
in applying for awards.
TERMS OF AWARD
Academic Training : DFID pay tuition fees and a non-taxable maintenance
allowance of £7,815 p. a. (Inner London) and £6,455 p.a. (elsewhere).
Practical Experience Overseas : DFID pay a taxable salary of £16,214.
Additional benefits include a tax free cost of living allowance (if
applicable), medical expenses and accommodation costs.
Practical Experience in UK : Attachments to UK based departments or
organisations attract a taxable salary of £19,600 p.a.
APPLICATIONS
Application forms can be obtained from the Department For International
Development, Abercrombie House, Room AH304/4, Eaglesham Road, East
Kilbride, Glasgow G75 8EA or telephone 01355 84 3428 (answerphone).
The closing date for receipt of applications, with references, is 31
January 1999.
The DFID is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and applications
are sought from both women and men.
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This note is posted on ALLSTAT, for the benefit of possible applicants, by
the Statistical Services Centre at The University of Reading, because the
SSC has a contract to assist DFID Natural Resources Division. Reading
cannot supply APOS booklets or application forms, and completed
applications can only be submitted to DFID in East Kilbride. INFORMAL
enquiries can be addressed to Roger Stern ([log in to unmask], phone
0118 931 6421)
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Ian M. Wilson, Director Statistical Services Centre
& Senior Lecturer Department of Applied Statistics
e-mail: [log in to unmask] The University of Reading
!NOTE NEW NUMBERS BELOW! Harry Pitt Building
Fax: +44-118-9753169 Whiteknights Rd, P.O.Box 240
Phone: +44-118-9318034 Reading RG6 6FN, U.K.
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