[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11349-11350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4521]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 3579]


Bureau of African Affairs; AF/PD Professional Internship Program

Introduction

    The United States Department of State announces an open competition 
for an assistance award. Nongovernmental organizations may apply to 
design and manage a multi-faceted program that consists of the 
following: (1) Azikiwe Professional Fellowships; and, (2) the COMESA 
(Common Market of East and Southern Africa) Professional Internship 
Program.

I. Azikiwe Professional Fellows

    The Azikiwe Professional Fellowship Program seeks to establish 
linkages between young Nigerians and their American counterparts in 
various sectors. The program is divided into two groups: the ``Digital 
Divide Internships'' and ``Gatekeepers for the Free Flow of 
Information.''
     Digital Divide Internships will consist of six five-week 
internships for leaders who will play key roles in bringing Internet 
connectivity to Nigerian government offices and universities. They 
would spend one week of orientation at a university before going on to 
month-long internships at university departments or local and state 
government offices.
     Gatekeepers for the Free Flow of Information will consist 
of six five-week internships for library professionals involved in 
overall management and policy-making in key governmental and private 
libraries and journalists interested in enhancing their professional 
skills. The program would demonstrate the crucial role of international 
technology in modern libraries, train the fellows in the use of the 
Internet and creation of web pages, and demonstrate the best ways to 
integrate these technologies into Nigerian libraries. Journalistic 
Interns would focus on improving professional skills (freedom of press, 
speech), responsible reporting, and constitutional issues. In both 
cases, Interns would have a two-week orientation program in Washington 
(at DoS, Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service, media and 
newspapers, newspaper libraries, universities and communication 
organizations, etc.). Following the Washington program, the Interns 
would be placed for three-weeks in an institution with similar 
interests to their home organization or media or newspapers.
    Both sets of professional fellows would be required to develop a 
plan of short, medium, and long-term goals for their respective 
institutions before returning home.

II. COMESA Professional Internship Program

    The COMESA program will consist of approximately 10-12 internships 
lasting from 8-12 weeks with corporations, universities, or trade 
organizations (particularly those involved in NAFTA, CBI, or WTO 
issues). The program will stress the development of strong management, 
administrative, finance, negotiation, and organizational skills among 
select members of the COMESA Secretariat. In addition, the Interns will 
develop strategies and techniques focused on learning and developing 
management skills appropriate for a sub-regional organization. The 
Program will seek to assist the COMESA Secretariat in enhancing its 
capacity to handle its burgeoning role as a regional organization 
focused on economic and trade issues. The AF/PD Professional Internship 
Program seeks to enhance the professional skills and abilities of the 
participants by developing the Interns' organizational, Internet, and 
managerial skills. All Interns will be allotted two days in Washington, 
DC at the end of their internship to discuss and review the program 
with AF/PD staff and colleagues. An additional multiplier effect of the 
program will be to develop future linkages between American and African 
universities and institutions.
    A cooperative agreement will be subject to the availability of 
funds.
    The contract agency will be expected to work closely with AF/PD and 
Public Affairs Sections of U.S. Embassies in Africa in selecting 
participants, and in developing and implementing this program.

Authority

    22 U.S.C.-2452(a)(2).

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants include all nongovernmental institutions, 
private organizations, and commercial entities.

Availability of Funds

    The funding level for this Cooperative Agreement shall be no higher 
than $374,500. The funding is available for one calendar year which 
begins at the time the Cooperative Agreement is signed.
    Continuing awards within the project period will be made on the 
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

Purpose

    Primary objectives for the AF/PD Intern Program are to develop 
professional skills of a variety of individuals in the areas of 
Internet connectivity, library science, journalism, business and trade 
development, and the management and administration of selected sub-
regional organizations. Moreover, the program is designed to enhance 
linkages between American institutions, business, media, entrepreneurs, 
and universities, with African counterparts working in specific 
professions.

[[Page 11350]]

Reporting Requirement

    Reporting requirements will be developed in consultation with AF/
PD.

Evaluation Criteria

    Technically eligible applicants will be competitively reviewed 
under 9 criteria. The criteria are: (1) Cost effectiveness and cost 
sharing; (2) Program development, planning, and the ability to achieve 
objectives and time-lines; (3) Follow-up--Ability to conduct Africa-
wide follow-up activities on a minimum biannual basis (4) Institutional 
capacity; (5) Ability to objectively evaluate program achievements, and 
provide a final program report; (6) ``Multiplier Effect/Impact''--
strengthening of bilateral and multilateral linkages and understanding; 
(7) Ability to coordinate work with AF/PD and Public Affairs Sections 
at U.S. Embassies; (8) Support for Diversity and gender balance; and 
(9) Cultural Sensitivity based on country norms.

Other Requirements

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Projects that involve the collection of information from 10 or more 
individuals and funded by the cooperative agreement will be subject to 
review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act.

Application Submission and Deadline

    The original and ten (10) copies of the application (Standard Form 
424) must be submitted to the U.S. Department of State, Ms. Joanna 
Pisciotta Snearly, Grant Specialist, A/LM/AQM/IP, State Annex #44, Room 
M-22, 301 4th Street SW., Washington, DC 20547 on or before March 26, 
2001.

Where to Obtain Additional Information

    A detailed program description and application package may be 
obtained from Ms. Joanna Pisciotta Snearly, Grant Specialist, U.S. 
Department of State, A/LM/AQM/IP, State Annex #44, Room M-22, 301 4th 
Street SW., Washington, DC 20547, telephone (202) 260-6549, fax (202) 
205-5466 email [email protected]. Please refer to the ``AF/PD 
Professional Internship Program'' when requesting information or 
sending an application.

    Dated: February 12, 2001.
William C. Zehnder,
Grant Award Officer, A/LM/AQM/IP, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 01-4521 Filed 2-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-26-U