CLOSED

CACIM is looking for a Programme Associate for its multi-faceted Programme on the World Social Forum

CACIM (www.cacim.net), a relatively new and innovative initiative in creative public work and thought-action in support of social movement, is looking for a bright, enthusiastic, enterprising, capable, and reflective person to work on and build its programme on and around the World Social Forum ( see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Social_Forum) and the global justice movement.

CACIM, whose members and associates have worked with and/or created several books, radio programmes, and films on the WSF almost since its inception in 2001, is today one of the main initiatives in the world involved in chronicling and analysing the WSF and in promoting critical reflection and discussion about it. Aside from its own webspace, it also administers on behalf of a worldwide collective a portal dedicated to the Forum - OpenSpaceForum - and runs two related listserves : WSFDiscuss and CEOS (Critical Engagement with Open Space).

Our current and upcoming work on the Forum has three main components :

• Meetings of minds, to forge critical solidarities locally, regionally, and globally, around various themes including the future of the Forum and organising principles for the Forum as a world initiative;
• Chronicling and debating the Forum, through the publication of books, reports, comprehensive bibliographies and chronologies, and creating an exhaustive database on the Forum and on new cultures of politics; and –
• Exploring the Forum as a radical democratic pedagogical space.

We are now looking to strengthen our team by bringing in one person who will work on and develop the above programme, along with the Programme Coordinator, through the following activities, and with the possibility of taking over as Programme Coordinator in time :

• Organising meetings and consultations among initiatives in India and around the world around the WSF and its idea of being an ‘open space’
• Networking, and deepening intercultural and inter-organisational collaboration around the WSF at all-India, regional, and intercontinental levels
• Building on our credibility as an initiative independent of the official WSF process, initiating critical discussion around the WSF with specific sections and communities in India (such as the Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims, women, the physically challenged, sexual minorities, and others; both those who have already taken major initiatives at the World Social Forum and those who have stayed away from the WSF)
• Organising extensive debate around the WSF at the launching of a series of books in India and abroad during 2008-9, in English, Hindi, and other languages
• Managing off-line and online archives for the programme
• Helping in the conceptualisation and development of traditional and new media components that will help further the programme in different parts of the world.

ARE YOU THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THIS ?

Qualifications: No formal degree required but should be inter-disciplinary in thought and action, have good social and business networking and coordination skills, be curious and innovative, and have a critical approach to looking at the world around us; and have a definite interest in contributing to organisation building.

Skills: The candidate must have excellent skills in English. Similar skills in Hindi and/or in other languages such as Spanish, French, or Portuguese, will be of definite advantage. S/he should preferably also have a good understanding and engagement with contemporary themes and ideas in the social sciences, politics, and people’s movements; and in new media, philosophy, literary, scientific, and art trends. Technical Skills: First class computer skills, ability to work with desktop and web publishing programmes, preferably FOSS (Free and Open-Source? Software), and open to learning and experimenting with the newer programmes as and when required.

Experience: Around 3-5 years in similar or related capacities of some responsibility, preferably in social or political movement but not necessarily. Location: The work will be based in New Delhi, India. However, it will also involve some travel within India and abroad.

Salary: Around Rs 20,000 per month depending on the qualification and experience of the candidate. The initial contract will be for one year.

Contact: Send your detailed CV (including personal, educational, employment details and references) along with a two-page note explaining ‘Why I think I am the right candidate’ (details below) by April 30 2008 to cacimacacim.net. Only selected applicants will be called for an interview on May 7 at our office in New Delhi, and the person selected will be expected to join from June 16 2008.

Why do you think you are the right candidate ?

Please explain in brief in relation to the following points; but feel free to add further points :

• Your involvement with and/or an understanding of the World Social Forum, the debates around it, and its importance in world history (please give references, either to people you know involved with the WSF and/or to literature on the WSF that you think is significant)
• Your experience of research, documentation, networking and advocacy work
• Your networking and network-building skills
• Your ability to think out of the box
• Your ability to plan programmes, work independently within a small team, and evidence of your capacity to plan and implement events and processes successfully
• Your ability to coordinate small (or large) teams
• Your sensitivity to gender, intercultural, and diversity issues
• Your experience with mass media tools, deployed especially for social movements
• Your experience with open archives
• Your willingness to travel and openness to work outside prescribed work periods.

CACIM is committed to promoting diversity within its members, and women candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

CACIM A3 Defence Colony, New Delhi, India. Ph +91-11-4155 1521 or 2433 2451. www.cacim.net.