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Press Release

Jersey’s Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey, has led a successful official visit to Rwanda where the Island’s development interventions were praised by Ministerial counterparts and UN representatives.

The Minister held bilateral meetings with Rwanda’s Minister for Agriculture, Minister Gerardine Mukeshima, discussing a range of topics including the ongoing JOA funded dairy project, Jersey Inka Nziza, that is using improved genetics to lift hundreds of thousands out of poverty and improve daily nutrition in households across Rwanda. Both Ministers addressed the opening session of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau that was attended by international representatives, including over 20 from African countries, all of whom heard about the merits of the Jersey cow and its ongoing success in the development sector.

Jersey’s commitment to moving its aid upstream and increase knowledge transfer and capacity building was explored with Rwanda’s Minister of State, Dr Claudine Uwera, and there was a joint commitment in strengthening existing ties in the Financial Inclusion space.

Other engagements included a visit to the mass grave at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of one of Africa’s darkest chapters when nearly 1 million Rwandans, mainly Tutsi, were murdered in the space of just 100 days.

Speaking of her visit, the Minister said, ‘visiting the communities and projects here and speaking to Ministers, it is hard to imagine where this country was 25 years ago. I found the Genocide memorial incredibly moving both as a place to remember those who died and as a symbol of reconciliation and what can be achieved in the wake of such national trauma. I have been hugely encouraged by the bilateral meetings I have attended and the enthusiasm and warmth of the people I have met. It is clear Jersey’s expertise in dairy and finance have a role to play as Rwanda continues on its impressive trajectory.’ 2

During the 5-day visit Deputy Labey met with the UN Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative in addition to staff from UNCDF and UNHCR as she visited a refugee camp where JOA and Comic Relief are supporting a project for displaced communities – Rwanda is home to over 75,000 refugees who have fled violence in the neighbouring Democratic of Congo.

Left. Deputy Carolyn Labey with Rwanda Agricultural Minster, Minister Gerardine Mukeshima

Centre Deputy Carolyn Labey visiting a JOA/ Comic Relief project

Right. Deputy Carolyn Labey with UN Resident Coordinator, Fode Ndiaye (L) and UN Resident Representative Stephen Rodriques.

JOA is looking to expand its list of possible grantees, and wants to hear from UK-registered charities with specialist experience in its three priority programme areas (and ideally also in its six focal countries of Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Nepal).

Forms can be found HERE and should be returned to enquiries@joa.je by 8^th July. Please keep all submissions to a single page. Successful organisations will be notified and invited to participate in JOA’s upcoming RFP process, which will be launched on 5^th August.

A video featuring a JOA funded programme in Rwanda has been published on Comic Relief’s website as part of World Refugee Day. With a voice over from broadcaster Sara Cox, the short video demonstrates how providing access to basic financial services can provide resilience and opportunity for refugee communities displaced by conflict and persecution. The project is part of JOA’s and Comic Relief’s 4 year partnership on Financial Inclusion –  Branching Out: Financial Inclusion at the Margins.

Award winning broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle sent a message of thanks to Jersey for its support of the British Red Cross following the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe in March. 1.85 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance with huge numbers displaced and outbreaks of disease, including cholera, being widely reported.

Last few days to apply for JOA’s 2019/2020 Internship

International development is an incredibly rewarding career, but getting your first job is hard. This exciting programme will give someone from Jersey the chance to spend 12 months learning the ropes with the professionals, including six months on assignment in a developing country.

Starting in June/July 2019, you’ll spend two months in JOA’s office in St Helier, before transferring to UK Charity HelpAge International in London. By November/December you’ll be ready for your first field posting, in one of HelpAge’s offices in Africa or Asia. You’ll be paid an entry-level salary of around £20k, plus a London living allowance.

You should have:

• A Bachelor’s degree in any relevant topic
• Demonstrable interest in the sector
• Proven ability to successfully manage a full and varied workload

Some experience of working or travelling in developing countries would also be desirable. No age limit applies, and career-changers are welcome. However, you should be serious about embarking on a fulfilling but demanding new path, including being prepared to spend significant time in challenging places.

Deadline is 26^th April 2019     

                                                                                 For more details and to apply please see www.joa.je/internship

Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) has committed £180,000 in response to the ongoing emergency in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe following Cyclone Idai’s landfall earlier this month.

The Island’s contribution will be split between the British Red Cross (£73,333) CARE International (£70,000) and UNICEF (£36,667) and will support ongoing efforts in providing life-saving assistance including interventions in health, shelter, protection, nutrition and education.

Jersey’s Minister for International Development and Chair of JOA, Deputy Carolyn Labey, said ‘Cyclone Idai’s impact has had a devastating effect on communities in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe with a significant number of deaths and hundreds of thousands displaced. There has been widespread destruction of households and infrastructure as well as livelihoods and farmland which is of huge concern. These funds will support the humanitarian agencies at the frontline and I am, as always, proud that our Island has responded.’

The British Red Cross, CARE International and UNICEF are longstanding partners of JOA and all have the necessary country knowledge, resources and expertise to ensure that the aid is delivered effectively and as quickly as possible. Since its landfall on the 14^th March Cyclone Idai has claimed nearly 700 lives and it is estimated that 1.85 million people are in need of urgent assistance.

JOA continues to closely monitor the situation following the devastating impact of Cyclone Idai and is in contact with several humanitarian agencies working on the ground in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It is likely that casualty figures will increase considerably in the next few days, and flood waters are continuing to rise. We are currently assessing where JOA funds will be best spent and will make an official announcement next week.

Jersey are thanked by Health and Hope for their support in training traditional midwives and health workers in rural communities to create a network of community-led healthcare.

Policy Officer

Jersey Overseas Aid is looking for a Policy Officer to join its small professional team.

Based in St Helier, this new role will help ensure that Jersey’s contribution to international aid provides both the maximum benefit for the world’s poor and the highest level of accountability for Jersey’s taxpayers. Reporting to the Director, the Policy Officer will contribute to developing and implementing Jersey’s aid policy, and supporting the Minister for International Development and JOA on the national and global stage. They will also play a key role in the monitoring and oversight of JOA grants, and helping to communicate what we do to the Jersey public and the wider world.

Requirements

We are seeking a candidate with demonstrable experience of relief and development, in either a field or HQ context. You will have a thorough understanding of the architecture, actors, financing and methodologies of international aid, ideally with some experience of creating, analysing or implementing development policy. Specifically:

1. At least four years’ experience working for an international NGO, UN Agency, donor or private-sector development organisation;
2. Excellent communication skills;
3. Proven analytical and research skills;
4. Education to degree level in a relevant discipline;
5. Legal entitlement to work in Jersey (this job does NOT come with a Licence)

The deadline for applications is 31^st December 2018.

For more information, please visit our jobs section or email s.boas@joa.je