Applications for this Short Course are now open
Applications will close 25 April 2022
Promoting Value Chain Improvements, Market Integration and Trade in Agribusiness
Applications are now open for the Australia Awards Short Course on Promoting Value Chain Improvements, Market Integration and Trade in Agribusiness. Funded by the Australian Government, this Short Course will bring together professionals from all public, private and non-governmental organisations working in agriculture and value chain specific and sensitive projects.
This Short Course will focus on building the capacity of personnel in the sector to enhance their skills and knowledge in contributing to sustainable economic development through market-driven agribusiness, and influence the challenges faced with a special focus on smallholders and small/medium sized enterprises.
The Short Course will explore key thematic areas such as reforming public policy tools, agricultural value chain upgrades, pro-poor market development and connectivity to both local and global markets.
The course will be delivered in three components between June and November 2022:
- preliminary activities will take place virtually from 13 – 16 June 2022
- core learning elements will take place in Australia from 8 – 19 August 2022
- applied learning activities will take place virtually from 31 October to 2 November 2022.
The application deadline for this Short Course is 25 April 2022.
Eligible applicants from professionals in Sri Lanka who are willing to become leaders in their field and have the potential to apply the knowledge and experience gained through the course are encouraged to apply. A maximum of 20 participants will be selected based on relevant work experience, skills and educational qualifications.
Please read and ensure you understand the eligibility and selection criteria below, prior to applying.
General Eligibility Criteria
Applicant must:
- Be a citizen of Sri Lanka and currently residing in Sri Lanka.
- Have stable internet connectivity as well as a laptop/computer to access course content for download, webinar participation and live sessions.
- Not have applied for or hold permanent residency in either Australia or New Zealand or married, engaged to, or are a de facto of a person who holds, or is eligible to hold, Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency, at any part of the application, selection or mobilisation phases.
- Satisfy all requirements of the Department of Home Affairs for the relevant Australian Visa Subclass 500 and be able to provide attested documents for processing a visa application to enter Australia for the duration of the Short Course. This includes confirmation of full vaccination according to the guidelines provided by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Be able to obtain the necessary study and travel approvals from their employer for the time commitment required, as outlined above.
- Be able to commit to completing a Return to Work Plan (RWP) with their supervisor
- Meet the course ‘specific eligibility criteria’ below for this Short Course and adhere to the application process.
- Have access to the internet and be computer literate.
Specific eligibility criteria
To be eligible, applicants must also:
- Be junior to mid-level officers/practitioners working in the following areas (but not limited to):
- Ministry of Agriculture
- National Food Security and Research
- Relevant Provincial Government Ministries/Departments
- Relevant Private Sector organisations
- Relevant Non-Governmental and Civil Society organisations
- Demonstrate a high level of English proficiency to be able to participate in this activity by providing a letter from an employer or colleague confirming English language proficiency.
- Demonstrate digital literacy including experience with online learning and meeting platforms.
- Provide evidence of organisational support for the objectives of the course and the applicant’s participation for the duration of the program.
- Have occupied their position for at least 12 months and/or have a minimum two years of relevant work experience.
- Not be planning for retirement for 12 months after the completion of this Short Course.
- Be committed and available to participate in each of the three major components of the short course by ensuring release from usual professional duties during the course delivery phases due to its demanding subject matter.
Women, people of diverse ethnicity, ability/disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics are all encouraged to apply.
All interested applicants will need to complete their applications online through the Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia Short Course application portal by 25 April 2022.
Completed eligible applications will be assessed and ranked based on the above selection criteria. A shortlist will be provided to the Australian High Commission in Colombo to finalise the selection process.
For more details on the candidate profile and selection criteria for this Short Course, please read the below document.
To apply for the Short Course, nominees must:
- register and access the online application on the Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia Short Course application portal
- select Promoting Value Chain Improvements, Market Integration and Trade in Agribusiness from the drop-down menu as the course option
- complete and submit their applications online; no paper applications will be accepted
- upload all required supporting documents at the time of submission.
Only complete applications submitted by 25 April 2022 will be considered for assessment.
For inquiries, contact us on +94 62517205 or 011 577 2980 or email on inquiries@australiaawardssrilanka.org
Image on top: Thanks to Unsplash.com