SAFOD

Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled

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SAFOD Research Programme (SRP)

The Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled (SAFOD), formed in 1986 and made up of a broad membership of disabled people’s organizations (DPOs) in Angola (FAPED), Botswana (BOSPED), Lesotho (LNFOD), Malawi (FEDOMA), Mozambique (FAMOD), Namibia (NFPDN), Swaziland (FODSWA), South Africa (DPSA), Zambia (ZAFOD), and Zimbabwe (FODPZ), is entering a new phase of development through designing of a project on disability and research.

The purpose of this brief message is to share this good news with all SAFOD members, partners and other stakeholders within the SADC and beyond.  The project, simply called the SAFOD Research Programme (SRP), is being supported by the Department for International Development (DFID) who kindly agreed to initially fund a work plan for the six month inception phase of the project (16 October, 2006 – 16 April, 2007).  The work plan maps out stages in the inception phase process leading to the finalization of a five year Disability and Development Research Programme proposal that will be submitted for DFID’s possible approval at the end of the Inception Phase in April 2007.

Background to the SAFOD Research Programme

DFID have funded a programme of research on disability and development since 2000 when they supported the widely publicized Disability Knowledge and Research (D-KaR) programme whose funding cycle ended in 2005.  D-KaR Programme made a significant contribution to DFID’s current disability policy.  DFID now wish to support a new phase of funding for the development of a five year programme of research and development with SAFOD.  The new programme aims to generate vigorous research evidence for developing effective pro-poor disability policy and practice, with improved statistical data and implementation of a strengthened research and development programme driven by disabled people’s organizations.  Through this project and other similar activities with other partners such as FFO and SINTEF, SAFOD aims to become a powerhouse of information and research on disability issues in the SADC region.

The inception phase will support a Participatory Learning and Action Research (PLAR) approach to build SAFOD institutional capacity which will enable SAFOD to design, drive and deliver their own research programme, focusing on key disability issues, relating to poverty emancipation, social exclusion and human rights.  

 The Inception Phase will therefore undertake a series of activities and consultations with Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), mainstream NGOs, Governments of the SADC and other stakeholders during the Inception Phase to define and develop the regional research priorities and programme of research activities for the coming five years.

 Support

The success of the SAFOD Research Programme will, today and in future, not only depend on the support currently being received from SAFOD’s member organisations and DFID, but it is hoped that the DFID funding will also help leverage other essential support  (technical, material, etc) from other partners.

To this end, and through this Disability Research Bulletin (DRB), SAFOD member organizations, donor partners, Governments of the region (SADC) and other stakeholders will therefore be kept informed of the activities of the Research Programme.

JOB VACANCY – PROGRAMME MANAGER

 Southern Africa Federation of the Disabled is a regional organization coordinating and strengthening organizations of Disabled People in ten (10) countries within SADC region.  It is now entering a new Phase of development through designing of a project on disability research and development.

Position:  Programme Manager based at SAFOD Headquarters to run a 4½ year  research programme.  Carrying out his / her duties in Zimbabwe and other countries within the SADC region. 

Responsibilities:  To provide leadership on policy and applied research on disability matters.  Implementing the development of the project, evaluation and documentation of the research process.  Building capacity through in-house training, leading outreach and mobilization programmes on disability research and related advocacy. 

Qualifications:  A Social Science Degree, or equivalent in the research field.  Minimum of 5 years experienced Manager with the ability to handle the complex programme and partners.  Capacity to edit and draft reports and written out puts. 

Application letters together with a detailed Curriculum Vitae including referrals to reach the undersigned by e-mail: 

The Director General

Email:  safod@netconnect.co.zw 

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Deadline:  31 January, 2007