2012 Senior Management Institute (SMI) Institutional Development Program

The Institutional Development Program of the World Blind Union is pleased to announce the 2012 Senior Management Institute (SMI), an organisational management course on disability and social development.

Dates, Duration and Venue

The 2012 SMI will be an eight-week residential course to be conducted from 20th August to 12th October 2012 at the Optima College of the South African National Council for the Blind, Pretoria, South Africa.

Aim of the Course

The overall aim of the SMI is to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and operational capacity to improve and optimise their organisational practice in the field of disability in development to facilitate social transformation.

Learning Objectives

1. To provide participants with information to stimulate new thinking in program development and service implementation.
2. To share ideas and discuss/debate concepts while exposing participants to a range of service options.
3. To guide participants to explore the complexities of the management of non-governmental organisations in a changing world.
4. To expose participants to the use of technology as a management tool and the role of technology in the social and economic development of persons with disabilities.
5. To provide participants with information to provide analytic reasoning to achieve effectiveness in long term planning and strategic leadership.

Course Completion Requirements

The SMI is a 60-credit course of which 40 credits are earned through workshops, lectures, discussions and presentations, and 20 credits through research, use of the internet and web-CT, assignments, field work, monitoring and evaluation. The course duration consists of 6 weeks of coursework and 2 weeks of field assignment. The successful completion of the course will lead to the award of a Certificate of Competence.

Criteria for Assessment

1. Discussions and Presentations: 10%
2. Assignments (Four assignments at 10% each): 40%
3. Written Test After The First 3 Modules: 25%
4. Final Assignment: Programme Assessment And Presentation: 25%

A minimum of 50% is required for the final mark in order to successfully complete the course.

Teaching Methods

The course pedagogy is geared toward participants and trainers who will learn from one another’s experience via a series of seminars and discussions on lessons derived from praxis. A third of the learning experience shall be though a series of classroom seminars and discussions while two-thirds shall be via research, assignments, critical reviews, self-study, internet and field placement.

General areas of study are based on four modules of management and social development: non-governmental organizational management and leadership, disability policy and social transformation, disability service delivery, and monitoring and evaluation.

Eligible Applicants

This course is aimed at managers/directors, senior personnel and senior volunteers in organisations that provide services for persons with visual disability in developing countries. The course requires individuals who are highly motivated and can work with tight timelines in a fast-paced situation.

Eligibility Requirements

A minimum of five years working in a leadership or management role (as a staff person or volunteer) with an organization of or for the blind or in the field of disability; post-secondary education, demonstration of proficiency in English in a learning environment; basic keyboard skills and familiarity with Microsoft Word is a priority. All participants are expected to have at least a working knowledge of spreadsheets and familiarity with financial statements and accounting procedures.

Notes to Participants

This course will equip participants with the foundational tools and skills requisite of a leader operating in a new environment that demands inclusivity. Such a leader requires strength in three main areas of operation:

1. Skills across a wide facet of management and leadership acumen especially with a sound knowledge of financial and operational management, planning, evaluation and strategic thinking;
2. The capacity to truly understand and communicate change; and
3. The ability to effectively integrate the demands of an organisation with a comprehension of the socio-economic and socio-cultural intricacies of disability and of the society in which you operate.

Financial Information

Individuals who are accepted into the course will have to raise funds to cover tuition, room and board.The total fees for the course, including tuition, accommodation and meals is USD 3,500 payable to the IDP. The IDP may subsidise some of these costs; however, this information will be communicated once the selection process is complete.

In addition, successful applicants will need to arrange for their own travel, including airfare, visas, travel and medical insurance, etc., purchase of equipment, personal expenses, and pocket money.

Application Procedure

The admission process for the SMI is very competitive as the course can only admit up to a maximum of 20 participants. Applicants are therefore advised to adhere to the application requirements. Any incomplete application shall not be considered.

All applicants must submit the following documents as part of their application dossier:

1. The Course Application Form duly completed
2. A detailed CV with detailed information on education and employment history; including dates, qualifications, job titles, responsibilities, etc.
3. Academic and professional testimonials
4. A signed recommendation letter from the employer
5. A short essay of not more than 1,200 words detailing your goals and objectives to be achieved as part of this course. Include your career objectives and your personal and professional interests.
6. A short essay of not more than 750 words describing how the SMI will benefit the goals of your organization/agency when you return to your country.

Applications must be sent to the address below, either electronically or by post, to be received not later than 30th April 2012.

Martin M. Kieti,
Senior Consultant,
Institutional Development Program.
P. O. Box 34690 00100,
Nairobi, Kenya.
E-mail Martin Kieti

• That the Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) is responsible for providing services for students with disabilities registered with UNISA?
• That ARCSWiD is one of three directorates within the Student Affairs Department under the Dean of Students?
• That the offices of ARCSWiD are situated on the Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria, with a disability counter situated in Sunnyside Hall B for registering students with disabilities?
• That students with disabilities who require career guidance services can be referred to career and counseling services at UNISA by ARCSWiD? For more information, contact Ms Vukati Ndlovu on 012 4415470
• That students with disabilities can request staff at registration points to assist them in completing application forms?
• That students with disabilities can request assistance in completing applications for fee reduction?
• That students with disabilities should complete a Special Assistance Form during registration if they require special support services that would assist them with their learning. For more information, contact Ms Vukati Ndlovu on 012 4415470.
• That you can check if your Special Assistance Form has reached us by contacting Mr Zukile Mgolombane on 012 4298900.
• That if you have a disability, you may qualify for a Department of Labour Bursary based on your income? For more information, contact Mr Pintias Nkuna on 012 4296923.
• That students with disabilities can request Assistance from ARCSWiD to motivate for assistive devices?
• That, based on individual preferences, students with disabilities would receive their Study guides and tutorial letters in either Braille, large-print, electronic or audio formats? For more information, contact Mr Deena Moodley on 012 4296050.
• That ARCSWiD requests electronic versions of prescribed books from publishers on behalf of students with disabilities? For more information, contact Mr Pintias Nkuna on 012 4296923
• That advice on low-vision devices can be provided to partially-sighted students? For more information, contact Ms Gugu Zikhali on 012 4298668.
• That Orientation and Mobility Training is provided by the directorate? For more information, contact Ms Gugu Zikhali on 012 4298668.
• That Sign Language Interpretation services would be provided for deaf students? For more information, contact Ms Sophy Mabaso on 012 4296924.
• That Basic Sign Language classes are offered to deaf students registered with Unisa? For more information, contact Ms Sophy Mabaso on 012 4296924.
• That you can discuss the best assistive device and access technology equipment that would assist you in your studies by contacting Mr Deena Moodley on 012 4295060.
• That the Student Administration Coordinators at the Regional Service Centres would also be available to assist students with disabilities with their enquiries.
• That you can register for tutorial classes linked to your modules. For more information and assistance, contact Ms Emma Motsuenyane on 012 4415757.
• That ARCSWiD could refer students with disabilities to relevant service providers and civil society organizations for assistance?
• That ARCSWiD has identified September as the UNISA Disability Month, and that students with disabilities registered with UNISA are encouraged to participate in the planned activities.

Please note that all divisions of Council closed on 15 December and will re-open on 3 January 2011.

We are all using this time to recharge our batteries so that we can serve you even better and faster in 2012!

1. The South African National Council for the Blind invites applications from qualified individuals for the position of Clinical Field Manager
2. Braille maths workshop for educators: Council will be hosting a Braille mathematics workshop for educators in the last quarter of the year. Contact Reshmika to find out more.
3. Humanware is looking to hire a Sales Representative to cover the southwest region of the US. E-mail your resume and copies of diplomas by 21 October.
4. The Population Council South Africa seeks to appoint a Senior Programme Manager, based in Johannesburg
5. Epilepsy South Africa seeks to appoint a National Director, based in Cape Town
6. The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA) requires the services of a National Director from 1 April 2012. This is a Johannesburg based position. Applications, including a comprehensive CV, a brief motivation for applying, and at least three contactable references must be forwarded to Johan Viljoen before 24 October.
7. Common Good: Manager – NETwork
8. MSF South Africa seeks to appoint a Community Coordinator, based in Eshowe/ Mbongolwane in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)
9. Inclusive Education Western Cape (IEWC) seeks to appoint a Trainer/Project Facilitator, based in Claremont, Cape Town
10. IEWC seeks to appoint a Fundraiser, based in Claremont, Cape Town
11. Vacancies in the NGO sector: for other vacancies in the NGO sector, refer to NGO Pulse.

Please note that most Council’s staff members will be out of office on Friday 14 October. They will be participating in the White Cane Safety Day fun walk at the Botanical gardens, or they will be out on Eye Care Awareness Month activities.

Note especially that the Resource Centre will be closed.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/councilforblind) or @councilforblind on Friday to see what we are up to (depending on whether Blackberry services are working as they should! ). You can also follow our Twitter stream by following the #tag: #WCSD.