Job: BBC World Service Trust, Bangladesh

Reporting to: Director, Asia
Grade: 11
Duration: 12 months initially, extending to 3 years

 

Position: Country Director

 

The BBC World Service Trust uses media and communications to reduce poverty and promote human rights in developing countries. In Bangladesh, the Trust is about to launch a major television-based English project, building on its successful governance initiative of national radio and television debates with the BBC Bangla Service.
The Trust is looking for a Country Director to manage its expanding operations in Bangladesh. By the end of 2008, it is expected the Trust will be employing up to 60 full- and part-time staff across two offices. Based in Dhaka, the Country Director will lead these staff and be responsible for implementing and further developing the Trust’s strategy for Bangladesh.
 
This is a demanding role in a challenging working environment. The BBC has strong brand recognition in country, through the BBC Bangla Service and Bangladesh Sanglap, the Trust’s governance project. The proposed English language project is one of the most innovative and ambitious cross-platform media interventions anywhere in the world.

 

Educated to degree-level or equivalent, with relevant experience working at a strategic level, you will ideally currently be in a senior management position in the media and/or international development setting. You will have significant experience managing large budgets, and diverse teams. You will be a highly effective negotiator with excellent interpersonal and presentational with a strong understanding of, and commitment to international development. Ideally you will have experience of using media to achieve development goals and will be experienced in managing relationships with a range of local and international partners and stakeholders.
The ability to speak Bangla would be desirable.

 

http://www.comminit.com/en/node/265663

Female condom back in Uganda

by Rebecca Birungi
 
The World Health Organization (WHO) suspended the use of microbicides over safety concerns. Dangers that may put women at risk of acquiring infections.
 
In addition, the Ministry of Health and its donor partners are to re-introduce the "Femidom" (female) condom in April, 2008. The female condom was originally pulled from the market by the Ministry of Health after many were found on sale that had expired. 
 
According to Doctor Henry Kakande, the Technical Manager of the "Acquire Project", this new improved version of the Femidom, is part of a greater effort to to underline the importance and encourage "Family Planning" in Uganda. 

Dr. Kakande also stated that over 100,000 female condoms will be distributed via health centres and hospitals, free of charge, in the first quarter of 2008, by the health Ministry and the National Drug Authority (NDA).
 
According to professionals, the female condom can be inserted up eight hours, before intercourse, so that it does not interfere with the moment. Some of the youths in higher institutions we interacted with, are excited and agree that the female condom will protect them against Sexually Transmitted Diseases once used correctly. This female condom is about 6.5 inches in length. The woman wears it during the sexual engagement process. It has an inner and outer ring. The condom entirely limes the virginal and helps to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases especially HIV/AIDS.
 
Dr. Kakande further explained that Uganda will join other countries like Kenya, Tanzania, United States of America and South Africa in using the female condom giving women options to choose.
 
Women activitists say these condoms give women more power and responsibility relating to safer sex and contraception. They did point out however, that prevailing culture and society still makes it difficult for women to negotiate for safer sex even in this instance. They also added that the cost of the female condom will also be a barrier.