Thursday, May 18, 2017

2017\2018 Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security Emergence Program. Monterey, California

Applications are now being accepted for CHDS' newest offering, the Emergence Program. We are looking for homeland/public safety officials in the early stages of their careers. You will find all the information you need to know on our website at: https://www.chds.us/c/academic-programs/emergence-program
The deadline for applications is July 28.

Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security
Emergence Program

October 22-27, 2017 and March 5-8, 2018
Monterey, California

The Emergence Program is a unique opportunity for homeland security/public safety professionals who are in the early stages of their career. The program provides an educational forum and innovation lab (at the NPS campus in Monterey, CA) for participants to explore "emerging" trends in the world around us - e.g. technology, environment, and terrorism. Participants will discuss both the challenges associated with these complex trends as well as the opportunities to rethink how we protect our communities and the nation. In addition, program sessions will assist participants in "emergence" strategies for implementing innovative ideas, being a leader, and for a successful homeland security career.
All costs associated with participating - tuition, books and travel - are covered by CHDS through its sponsor, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's National Preparedness Directorate, FEMA.

Program Objectives:

  • Enhance the next generation of homeland security leaders' understanding of the homeland security discipline and emerging trends.
  • Facilitate participants' homeland security perspectives and what they view as opportunities for change and contributions their generation can make to the evolving discipline.
  • Emphasize and enhance critical inquiry, analysis, and evidence based research to understand complex problems and to develop and implement new ideas.
  • Develop and explore strategies for success in a changing work environment.
  • Inspire participants to a career in homeland security/public safety.

Learning Structure:

  • (2) one-week sessions (a six day in-residence, October 22-27, 2017, followed by a four day in-residence, March 5-8, 2018) at the Naval Postgraduate School for professionals with a demonstrated commitment to homeland security/public safety and who are at the early stages of their career.
  • The cohort of 32 participants will be chosen from a national applicant pool and will reflect the variety of professional backgrounds and geographic areas that comprise the homeland security community.
  • The program will include advance readings and online work in the weeks prior to the in-residence sessions.
  • Sessions are a mixture of interactive and informative presentations, discussions and group exercises.
  • A significant part of the Emergence Program includes an innovation lab for participants to research and develop an idea for change within their organizations (e.g. new policy, approaches, program, procedure, system, use of technology, etc.). Participants will work collaboratively during the lab. CHDS staff will be available to assist with the drafting of individual innovation plans.
  • As part of the program, participants will present their ideas to their agency leadership for consideration and feedback following the first in-residence.

Qualifications:

  • Full-time government employee of a local, state, federal, territorial, or tribal homeland security/public safety agency or a private sector employee with security/safety responsibilities.
  • Preferred 2-7 years work experience in any area (does not need to be homeland security related), 2 years (approximately) with their current agency or organization.
  • A demonstrated commitment to a career in homeland security/public safety.
  • Applicant should have strong collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills and an appreciation for continuous education and professional growth.
  • Applicant should enjoy learning through interactive activities (program includes walking on flat established outdoor trails).

Application:

The selection committee will not review your application until you finalize the materials and click submit. A complete application includes the following:
  • Current resume including educational history.
  • Short essay (2-3 pages, doubled spaced) detailing an opportunity for homeland security/public safety change within your organization as well what you view as 1 or 2 possible challenges/barriers to achieving the change (you will develop your innovative idea* for change during the program and brief it to your leadership upon returning to your organization).
  • A letter of support from a supervisor or organizational leader:
    • highlighting your qualities as a candidate for the program (see qualifications)
    • confirming you will be allowed the time away to attend, if selected
    • committing to participate in your Emergence Program education by providing you the opportunity to brief organizational leaders on your idea upon completion of the Emergence first in-residence and providing feedback regarding its potential for implementation
  • Optional Creative Submission: use whatever medium you wish - e.g. written, recorded, video, art, etc. - to show us something that is important to who you are and why you are a good candidate for the program.
The application deadline is July 28, 2017. 

Applicants will be notified of the selection committee's decision by the end of August. 

Contact Heather Issvoran, 831-402-4672 or hissvora@nps.edu if you have questions about the application process. 

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Top USAID contractors for 2016

Top USAID contractors for 2016




Emergency supplies are loaded onto a truck for Typhoon Haiyan victims in Tacloban, Philippines. Photo by: Katey Schein-Prudhomme / USAID / CC BY-NC

The United States Agency for International Development obligated contract funding reached $4.68 billion in 2016, decreasing by $200 million from the previous year. The modest decline for 2016 follows a $1 billion surge for contract spending from 2014 to 2015.


Click here to view a larger version of the chart.

Chemonics reclaimed its position as the top contractor for USAID in 2016, winning nearly double the contract funding from 2015. The global development consulting firm garnered over $1 billion worth of USAID financing last year, following the award of a $9.5 billion indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract, or IDIQ, in 2015. 

Tetra Tech and DAI, meanwhile, were awarded the second and third-highest USAID contract funding, respectively, combining for over $800 million in obligated funding.

Together, these top three recipients comprise 39 percent of all USAID obligated contract funding in 2016.

Five organizations managed to break into the top 20 awardees in 2016. 

Remote Medicine, which won $10 million in contracts in 2015, received $67 million last year. International Business & Technical Consultants doubled their contract funding from $21 million in 2015 to $42 million. Nathan Associates received $40 million — up by $11 million from the previous year.

Two of the list’s new entrants ranked within the top 10 organizations, each obtaining over $100 million more than their previous contract funding. 

Creative Associates International, which received $43 million in 2015, attracted $146 million last year. 

Similarly, the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority received $122 million in 2016 versus $17 million in 2015, as it secured a five-year contract to procure, warehouse and distribute drugs and medical equipment for public hospitals across Kenya. KEMSA is the only non-U.S. organization to make it into the top 20.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

May 2017. Spend the summer in Ethiopia - expenses are covered and you can make a difference!

There are several short-term teaching/training positions available in Ethiopia this summer!

Immediate opening for MIS trainer and all positions will be open until filled!

1- Experts in business and engineering for several 3-week block courses in Addis Ababa. Airfare and hotel are covered plus a small stipend. Courses are graduate level and class times are Monday-Friday 5pm-7pm and half-day on Saturday. PhD is not required but work experience is a must.

Courses to be taught:
In Business field
a- Accounting
b- Operations Research
c- MIS (immediate opening)

In Engineering field
a- Electrical Systems Design
b- Power Transmission and Distribution

2- Looking for International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS Standards) expert to deliver short-training course. Trainees will be financial professionals in Addis Ababa tasked with implementing the IFRS Standards. Duties include developing training, training materials, and delivering course in Ethiopia. Airfare and hotel are covered plus a small stipend

If you're interested please email me for at atadesse@international.ucla.edu more information.

Best,
Azeb


Azeb Tadesse
Deputy Director
UCLA African Studies Center
10244 Bunche Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1310





You're invited to The People Speak: Voices Against Violence



Please join The Chicago Reporter, Y
oung Chicago Authors and Public Narrative two weeks from tonight for an evening of powerful storytelling about the effects of violence in Chicago's neighborhoods
.
DATE AND TIME
     Tuesday, May 30, 2017
     7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

LOCATION
     Kennedy-King College Theater
     740 West 63rd St.
     Chicago, IL 60621

This free event will bring together a range of voices, including the poets of Young Chicago Authors, to explore the complex emotions that come with living amidst the gunfire but fighting for something more.

Register Now >>

About the Database
Last summer, the Reporter launched “Settling for Misconduct,” an interactive database that tracks how much the city spends to settle civil rights lawsuits against the Chicago police officers. This spring, we will be updating it with two additional years of data.
The stories behind Chicago’s police settlements often begin in ordinary moments, but end in extraordinary circumstances, according to the lawsuits. An 11-year-old with a gun placed at her temple. A grandmother arrested for battery to a police officer. A young man shocked unconscious by a Taser. The database brings these little-known stories back into the public eye. And we’ve made it easy for you to dig through the data yourself. You can search by an officer's name or badge number and look up lawsuits by neighborhood, payout amount, type of misconduct and more. Explore the Database >>
________________________________________
About the Organizers

The Chicago Reporter confronts racial and economic inequality, using the power of investigative journalism. The Reporter is the nation’s only nonprofit news organization whose mission is to investigate race. That was true in 1972, and that is still true today.

Since 1991, Young Chicago Authors has been transforming the lives of young people by cultivating their voices through writing, publication, and performance education.

For 25 years, Public Narrative has been teaching community organizations and journalists how to tell better stories — to make sure the coverage of Chicago’s issues include the voices of people, not just power.

Continuing Education Event: Assessment and Treatment of Suicidal Behavior Associated with Military Service | June 8, 2017 - 9:00a-4:00p



SEMINAR DETAILS & LOCATION

Thursday, June 8, 2017 9:00am-4:00pm
Johns Hopkins University
Montgomery County Campus
9605 Medical Center Drive, Room 121 Rockville, MD 20850

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
  • Pre-registration deadline is 5:00 pm on Monday, June 5, 2017.
  • No refunds will be made after 5:00 pm on Monday, June 5, 2017.
  • Additional $10 fee for walk-in registrations.
  • In the event of inclement weather, call EveryMind’s office after 6:00am on the day of the seminar for an update on the status of the seminar.
  • Credit hours are ONLY given to those who attend the entire seminar.
  • Registrants must sign in and out.


Julie Riggs
Program Manager, Serving Together

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