Vol. 26 No. 6 Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Pages 8, Price 2.00 NFA

Senior Eritrean delegation comprising Foreign Minister

A three-day conference of East and Southern African countries’ EPI Managers opened on 18 March at Asmara Palace Hotel.

The conference is attended by Immunization Program Managers from 20 Easter and Southern African countries and delegations of various international organizations and research institutions.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Amina Nurhussen, Minister of Health, said that the peace and friendship between Eritrea and Ethiopia and the lifting of the unjust and unfair sanctions has brought about a sense of renewed hope for cooperation in health, economic growth and social development.

Minister Amina also underlined

Eritrean National Cycling Team has won four Gold Medals yesterday at the 14th African Continental Cycling Championship final road race held in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Following four days of team and individual time trials both in the Elite and Junior category, the road race championship has finally came to an end yesterday with Eritrea seizing all the four Gold Medals in the race.

At the women’s elite and under 23 road Championship, Eritrea won its gold through Desiet Kidane on the U-23 and Mosana Debesay on the elite championship.

During the men’s elite and U-23 road race which concluded in the afternoon hours yesterday, Eritrea’s Mekseb Debesay won the elite gold medal after a fierce sprint, while

Commendable awareness-raising campaigns are being conducted with the objective of augmenting voluntary blood donation, the head of Voluntary Blood Donors at the National Blood Transfusion Center, Mr. Mehari Abraha indicated.

During a report he presented concerning the voluntary blood campaign conducted from 11-15 March in several schools in Mendefera, Mr. Mehari said that high school students and assistant nurses of Mendefera City have provided a total of 492 units of blood.

Parallel to the five-day campaign, members of the National Blood Transfusion Center and Association of Voluntary Blood Donors in Southern region have conducted joint campaigns aimed at augmenting blood donation.

Senior eritrean delegation on working viSit to Somaliland

annual meeting of ePi managerS for eaSt and Southern african countrieS

augmenting voluntary blood donation

eritrea winS 14th african continental road chamPionShiP

Osman Saleh, and Presidential Advisor Yemane Gebreab are on a

working visit to Somaliland.The delegation met and held talks

the need for commitment towards sharing experience and continuous evaluation for the implementation of the program.

Also speaking at the event, Ms. Susan Namondo Ngongi, Resident Coordinator of UN Offices in Eritrea, said that Eritrea has a high performance in immunization program that makes it among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa and that the immunization coverage has increased from 10% to 99% over the past 20 years in 12 categories of vaccines.

Ms. Susan also said that the robustness of Eritrea’s immunization program was undisputedly a major contributor for its MDG success and will contribute towards SDG 3

goals.Dr. Josephine Namboze, WHO

Representative in Eritrea, on her part said that Eritrea has made remarkable progress towards universal health coverage, in inculcating the culture of active community involvement in immunization programs and in political commitment and leadership.

The three-day conference will discuss Development of Strategic Plan on immunization, status of vaccination program and regional development on immunization, expansion and progress of vaccination, role of community in sustainable demand for immunization as well as introduction of new vaccination programs and preservation of the success attained in vaccination coverage.

with President Muse Bihi Abdi who expressed appreciation for the initiative Eritrea took. President Muse Bihi Abdi also briefed the delegation on the objective situation in the Somaliland and its stance on various matters.

The objective of the visit of the Eritrean delegation is to begin engagement with Somaliland as part of the promotion of regional peace.

The delegation also held a second meeting in the morning hours of yesterday, 19 March with President Muse Bihi Abdi, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Finance as well as members of the Houses of Elders and Representatives.

President Muse Bihi Abdi also hosted dinner reception in honor of the Eritrean delegation.

Henok Mulubirhan took the gold for the u-23 category.

Eritrea has also won gold and silver medals in the women’s junior category road race through Danait Tsegai and Yordanos Russom respectively. In the men’s junior category road race that covered 104.4 km, members of the Eritrean National Team, Yoel Asmerom and G/hiwet Yohannes won Silver and Bronze Medals respectively.

During the second day of the 14th African Continental Cycling Championship Eritrea won gold medal in the mixed relay elite race, while also seizing gold in the men’s elite team time trial.

Overall, Eritrea has won 18 medals including seven gold, seven silver and four silver in the African Cycling Championship held in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

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Azmera BerhaneSara Alem

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Aida Johar

2Vol. 26 No. 6Eritrea Profile ,Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Compiled by: Sirak Habtemichael

Cycling in Eritrea is definitely a national sport and almost every Eritrean grows up riding a bicycle; riding a bicycle to school, work and so on. For several years now, Eritrean cyclists have been racing in top-flight European tours, after years of training in the thin air and on the steep mountains around the capital Asmara. Besides, Eritrean riders have time and again proved that they dominate African cycling, and have been seen in various world tours, including the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Voulta a Spagna.

Starting from March 14 to the 19th, the city of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, hosted the 14th African Continental Championship, in which a handful of African national teams took part. The competition officially opened on Thursday with the junior men and women time trials, where Ethiopia won the Gold and the junior national Eritrean cycling team settled for the silver.

During the men’s and women’s

Eritrea Proves Absolute Dominance of African Cycling Again

elite team time trials however, Eritrea managed to get its first gold medal of the competition through the men elite and silver through the women. Now that the fans and members of the national team know that team Eritrea doesn’t settle for the second place when it comes to cycling, the situation started to get better for the team every day. According to report, the National Cycling Teams of Rwanda and Ethiopia won second and third places respectively.

Eritrea became winner of the team time trial Gold Medal in the African Cycling Championship for the ninth consecutive time. At the competition that covered 46.6 km, the Eritrean National Team was represented by Sirak Tesfom, Meron Teshome, Mekseb Debesai and Yakob Debesai and they finished the competition in 1 hour and 42 seconds.

On the second day of the competition, Eritrea won gold medal in the mixed relay elite race. The mixed relay race is first of its kind introduced by the UCI at this African Continental Championship special. Each national team is required to be represented by three men and three women cyclists.

Eritrea was represented by Daniel Teklehaimanot, Yakob Debesai and Meron Teshome from the men group and Mosana Debesai, Desiet Kidane and Zinab Fitsum from the females group. In this category, the Eritrean national team undisputedly put a second gold to the Eritrean tally of medals.

As the race continued Eritrea’s Elite Women’s Team, as well as Junior Men & Women’s teams won three silver medals in their respective road races.

All eyes were on the Sunday morning’s Individual Time Trials, especially from the Eritrean side, because Eritrean riders have been competing to take the title from each other and have dominated the ITT in the African Continental Road Championship. Although a very good ride by young rider Sirak Tesfom, who has broken the time trial record in Eritrea, he

only managed to win the silver and the gold was claimed by a South African rider.

Yet another day of the competition was held on Monday which saw to the junior men and women road race. The race was one of the toughest as it covered 89.6 kilometers for the junior riders. By the end of the competition, Rwanda’s Biyiza Uhurue took the gold followed by Eritrea’s Yuel Asmerom and Gebrehiwot Yohannes, while Danait Tsegay from the junior women brought another gold medal to the list of Eritrea’s medals.

The final day of the competition was held yesterday March 19, 2019, which saw to the line-up of both elite and U-23 men and women for African Continental Road Championship. With these races being the biggest event of the competition and that Eritrea was lagging behind in the collection of gold medals, the burden was high on the riders, but still they had to defend their title.

Early morning, the elite and U-23 women embarked their race for an 89.6 kilometer-long race and Eritrea’s Mosana Debesay followed by Ethiopia’s Eyeru Gebru and Joanna Van De Winkel of South Africa all from the elite category won the gold, silver and bronze medals consecutively. Similarly, Desiet Kidane of Eritrea won the gold medal for the U-23 women road championship. Two more gold medals to Eritrea; with another two medals in the tally remaining.

The final race was the men’s elite and U-23 road race in which Mekseb Debesay won the gold medal for the elite men winning a fierce sprint against Algeria’s Azzadin Laggab, and young rider Henok Mulubrhan coming fifth on the overall won gold for the U-23 category.

Once again, Eritrea dominated the African Continental Road Championship by winning a total of 18 medals including seven Gold, seven Silver, and four Bronze medals. Congratulations team Eritrea and the fans.

Billion Temesghen

The desert locust (Schitocera Gregaria), a voracious insect, is a species of locust classified in the family of swarming short-horned grasshopper. It is known to be one of the most dangerous migratory locust pests as it can fly for many hours rapidly covering vast distances. The short-horned grasshopper forms large swarms posing a major threat to crops.

To mitigate the surge of the locust countries prone to the breeding of desert locust work in collaboration with FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and to contain infestations, Eritrea is a member of the two regional organizations -- the CRC (Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central region) and the DLCO-EA (Desert Locust Control Organization - East Africa).

Like other countries on the coastline of the Red Sea, Eritrea is at the front line of Desert Locust breeding grounds. The winter breeding area on the Eastern lowlands covers around 47384 kilometer square from Rasdumera, bordering Djibouti, to Raskesar bordering Sudan. In winter the breeding time starts in September and lasts until May. In the Western low lands, the locust breeds in summer from June to September.

“No locust has Ever flew from the breeding Areas to other parts of Eritrea Nor to Neighboring Countries”

Eritrea is a springboard for the spread of locust. For this reason the Government and People of Eritrea are always alert to control the spread of the locust.

Food security is one of Eritrea’s major goals; the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has been vigilant in its fight against pests, with ground operations put in place every breeding season. It has mobilized manpower and outlay to survey and control breeding areas before the spread of a possible outbreak.

Speaking to local media outlets Mr. Huruy Asghedom, Director General of MOA’s Department of Agricultural Extension, explained that Eritrea’s vast breeding area is a threat for itself and other neighboring countries. Throughout the years, MOA has designed effective strategies and action plans for prevention before potential

upsurge. According to Mr. Huruy, MOA also has a contingency plan for broader regulations.

The MOA migratory pests control unit team in charge of this mission, along with its regional experts, scouts and farmers who live in the breeding areas, conducts a regular survey every summer and winter equipped with GPS and other equipment and online reporting system.

When an outbreak occurs the teams on the ground take immediate action to control the spread. Their work often stars at dawn and lasts till late in the afternoon. After a very short break in the evening, the team holds regular meetings. They send their meeting minutes via SMS to the responsible office at the Ministry’s Head Quarter in Asmara. Upon received minutes throughout the week, the Eritrean Minister of Agriculture, Arefaine Berhe conducts regular meetings with concerned experts after which needed decisions are taken immediately.

A high-level body headed by the Minister of Agriculture conducts regular weekly meeting to assess desert locust situation and to take immediate actions.

In answering if there are any challenges that the MOA faces

in surveying and controlling the breeding grounds and the spread of the locust, Mr. Huruy says that the breeding area is so vast that it is difficult to survey every spot using the available technology. The vehicles and spraying equipment need upgrading. Also, the absence of mobile garages makes the maintenance of cars and equipment difficult.

Thanks to the Ministry’s and the people’s seriousness in handling this matter, in Eritrea, the Desert Locust never flew from the breeding sites to either the central parts of Eritrea or the neighboring countries. In fact, inhabitants of the central parts of Eritrea have almost forgotten about the existence of the locust. However, Mr. Huruy says that it is important for the people to be aware about the experts’ and the people’s efforts invested in the breeding areas as it is, indeed, a cause that the MOA,

its professionals –most of whom are young experts– concerned authorities as well as farmers are highly devoted to.

On regards to information sharing Mr. Huruy says that the MOA takes serious measures in giving and receiving information from different organizations. The MOA works closely with many organizations, including CRC, DLCO-EA, SWAC, CLCPRO.

During his work visit from the 12th to the 14th of March, Mr. Mamoon Al-Alawi, Executive Secretary of the FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central region (CRS) visited the desert locust controlling sites and witnessed the efforts of the teams working in combating the spread of the desert locust. Upon his return to the capital, Asmara, Mr. Mamoon Al-Alawi gave a press conference for local media and the VOA. He explained that Eritrea is in fact exerting great efforts to control the spread of the locust stretched in more than 32 thousand hectares. The FAO-CRS Executive Secretary expressed appreciation for the country’s contribution in the multi-national exertion against the spread of the threat-posing locust population.

As documented by ERITV’s journalist Isak Mehari , the operation teams have no time at all for any break. The environment in which they work is difficult; the high temperature and dusty areas make the job demanding and physically tiresome. To add insult to injury, the cars get stuck in the sands of the desert countess times. However, the experts and the people have made this task their own, registering impressive results.

This season, Eritrea, started survey on September 2018 while the control operation took off in December 2018. The control operation continued throughout the first few months of 2019 eliminating scattered remnants of the pest. In the last days of March 2019, Eritrea will officially conclude the campaign against the spread of the locust. No locust flew from the breeding area to the neighboring countries and even to other parts of Eritrea.

Mr. Huruy Asghedom Mr. Mamoon Al-Alawi

Mr. Mamoon Al-Alawi visited the desert locust controlling sites and witnessed the efforts of the teams working in combating the spread of the desert locust

3Vol. 26 No. 6Eritrea Profile ,Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Tsegai Medin

Eritrea owns a significant territory on the Rift Valley - a vital place for evolution research for several decades. However, due to successive political instability in the region, the area was not favorable for research till the mid of the 90s. However, after four years of Eritrea’s total independence (In 1995), a first geological study instigated in the area. Essentially, the research was focusing on understanding the Geology of the poorly understood northern end part of the Rift Valley (the Eritrean Danakil Depression). However, the area came to the attention of scientists especially right after the finding of the almost complete skull of the now famous “lady of Buia”. Since then - thanks to the paramount information, - this region is now considered amongst Africa’s most promising areas for evolution research.

Currently, two independent and joint research projects are running at this inhospitable area of the Eritrean Danakil Depression, at about 100 to 120-kilometer distance from the port city of Massawa. In this paper, the very brief development and activities of these two running projects (the Buia and Engel Ela-Ramud, Projects) will be presented.

The Buia Project

The Buia village is found in the Northern Red Sea Region that is, about 31 km far from the Gulf of Zula. The first ever evidence related to our direct ancestors is coming from this area. This Basin is found at the intersection of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the East African Rifts.

For more than two decades, researchers have been working in this place. Despite, the harsh environment and difficult accommodation facilities research have been continuing in this area for decades. Since

The two archaeological projects in the

Danakil Depression of Eritrea

the foundation of the project, the local people have been the backbone of the project and they actively involved in all the programs of the project. The Afar people are the most important guides in the area, without them the work at the Eritrean Danakil would be impossible.

The Buia project was started in late 1994 under the auspices of the Eritreo-Italian research institutions. Currently, the project is running under the supervision of the Commission of Culture and Sports. The Buia Project was preliminarily initiated with the aim of geological studies which led to the discovery of important mammal fossils from the quaternary deposits. However, the importance of this area amplified after the discovery of the almost complete Human cranium (skull) at the foot of the Aalat Mountain in 1995. This skull was found in association with several stone tools, large mammal fossil bones including fishes, crocodiles …etc.

The map shows the area of

the extended East African Rift Valley created by the movement of tectonic plates.

More than two decades of fieldwork at the Eritrean Danakil Depression resulted in the discovery of over 200 sites, within about 1000 meters thick sedimentary succession, which is so unique in the African context. The sedimentary deposits that preserve the fossil specimens of our human ancestors and the large mammalian fauna are dated to around 1.0 million years

before present. Amongst these the most prominent localities include: Maebele, Dioli, Aalad, Aalad-Amo, Mulhuli-Amo…etc. These are the most prominent localities with the evidence of well-preserved fossils of humans in association with stone tools and large mammals.

The Buia area was part of the huge savanna dominated paleoenvironments of East Africa and the Depression is characterized by sedimentary environments dominated by alluvial fans and high energy streams, with some swampy to lacustrine ponds. The strategic location of the Buia basin in the Rift Valley has great significance in understanding mammalian diversification, turnover, dispersal, and extinction. Besides, the discovery of the almost complete human skull from Aalad was predominantly, a scientific breakthrough. This skull is attributed to a female individual, and researchers nicknamed her, “the lady of Buia”. To date, evidence of a complete skull of Homo between 1.4 million years to 650,000 years is scarce in Africa. This unique fossil finding from Buia filled

4Vol. 26 No. 6Eritrea Profile ,Wednesday, March 20, 2019

the gap between Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis that is, between 1.4 Million years and 650,000 years.

In the last two decades, various scientists came across substantial evidence that shows the complexity and importance of the evolution process from this region. The result of these investigations shows that the wide range of the Buia area was characterized by unstable climatic fluctuations and was inhabited with diversified animals and humans, around 1.0 million years back. This chronology marks to the complex evolutionary period, where future Buia research is expected to unlock. The region has immense potential to contribute information related to the poorly known part of our evolutionary history and the harsh environment occurred during that time.

The Engel Ela-Ramud Project

The Engel Ela – Ramud Project

continued on page 5

A Column prepared in collaboration with the Eritrea’s Culture and sports Commission

5Eritrea Profile ,Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 6

AZEL PHARMACEUTICAL SHARE Co.Notice

Azel Pharmaceutical Sh. Co. invites reputable management consultancy practitioners who have valid renewed business license to submit sealed proposal for provision of Human Resource Training & Support Services.

Interested eligible bidders may obtain the “Request for Proposal for Human Resource Training & Support Services “document upon payment of non-refundable ERN 100.00 from the address below during office hours Monday through Friday.

Proposals must be submitted on or before 5:00 P.M +3GMT March 29, 2019 and will be opened at 10:00 A.M. the following day in the presence of bidders or their representatives who wish to attend and shall remain valid for a period of 90 days after bid opening.

Azel Pharma reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without needing to justify the grounds for its action and without assuming any liability for expenses incurred by the bidder in the preparation of the bid document, to negotiate the terms and conditions of any proposal leading to the execution of a contract and to waive any technical or legal deficiencies therein.

Address: -Procurement Manager

Azel Pharmaceutical Sh. Co.P.O. Box:6799 Zip Code 175-11 St.No.51

Asmara, EritreaTel:+291-1-120028/120028, Fax: +291-1-121002

Email: purchase@azelpharma.comVisit: www.azelpharma.com

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR HUmAN RESOURcE TRAiNiNg & SUPPORT SERvicES

continued from page 3

was started in the year 2012. It is a joint project between the Eritrean Commission of Culture and Sports and the Spanish Institute of IPHES. The project was started by three researchers and with a very limited resource. However, thanks to the promising discoveries, each year it is growing. The Engel Ela and Ramud are two isolated villages found on the Danakil Depression of Eritrea. They are found at about 20 and 30 km south of the Buia Basin, respectively. Both are found at a few kilometers distance from the Eritrea -Ethiopia border.

Engel-Ela Ramud project members of the year 2019

The Engel Ela- Ramud Basin, is part of the extended African Rift valley. The Basin was home to our human-related ancestors and other animals millions of years before present. This Basin owns geology that preserves indispensable information of our evolutionary history. Based on, preliminary dating results, the Engel Ela -Ramud Basin owns older localities compared to the Buia Basin. Today these localities have the oldest known evidence related to our human ancestors in the Eritrean soil.

The Engel Ela- Ramud Basin is

contributing striking importance in understanding the evolution of African ecosystems during the Plio-Pleistocene times. This place is less than 500 km far from where Professor Donald Johanson, before 40 years, found almost complete fossil evidence of Australopithecus afarensis (known as “Lucy”) from Ethiopia, dated to about 3.2 million years ago.

The last seven years field works in the Engel Ela-Ramud Basin has resulted in a discovery of a rich record of animal remains and stone tools. The stone tool technology from this area corresponds to various technological complexes and

The two archaeological projects . . .

this is attesting to the evolving nature of human cognitive behavior. Majority of the large mammal fossil record from this Basin corresponds to hyenas, elephants, horses, giraffes, buffaloes, large antelopes, gazelle, pigs, rhinos…etc.

The discovery of several mammalian fossil bones from the Basin shows that the area has tremendous potential of contributing new information in the future. So far, several fossil evidence which was not known from the Buia Basin is documented from this place. The Engel Ela – Ramud Basin is potentially very interesting in evolution research.

6Vol. 26 No. 6Eritrea Profile ,Wednesday, March 20, 2019

INTERNAl/EXTERNAl VACANCY NOTICEJOB DEScRiPTiON

Jobl Title: SUPPLY ASSOciATE

Duty Station: Representation Office, Asmara, Eritrea

Category: g6

Duration: One year with possibility of extension

Starting Date: 01 Aug 2019

Closing Date: 14 days from the advetisment

ORgANiZATiONAL cONTEXTThe Supply Associate manages and supports all activities pertaining to the supply chain function including planning, sourcing, transport shipping, customs clearance and warehousing management in the operation.

The incumbent is supervised by Associate Admin/Finance Officer who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The incumbent maintains regular contact on a working level on routine issues with other UNHCR offices, UN agencies, NGOs, government partners and commercial contractors in the area to facilitate the operation. The duty of the incumbent is to support and monitor the management of material resources within the geographical area covered by the office while exercising efficiency in the use of those resources.

Accountability -UNHCR delivers timely and quality goods and services to persons of concern in compliance with supply chain rules and procedures.

-Local liaison with partners effectively supports supply activities.

ResponsibilitiesStrategya)

-Prepare plans for delivery of relief items according to operational needs.

-Apply UNHCR’s procurement strategy when planning for purchase of important commodities and services.

Operationalb) support-Ensure timely customs clearance of consignments.

-Manage storage of goods according to “best practices” and UNHCR rules and regulations; maintain an efficient system for the release, distribution and redeployment of goods.

-Coordinate transportation and distribution of relief items.

-Coordinate activities of implementing partners and/or contractors performing supply related activities, and ensure that they understand and adhere to relevant UNHCR rules and procedures.

-Maintain accurate and comprehensive records on logistical activities and provide timely reports and updates both periodically and on request.

Infrastructurec) support-Evaluate purchase requisitions to ensure that specifications, delivery dates and all other requirements are in order.

-Draft and dispatch quotation requests and/or tenders, and assist in the evaluation of offers and draft bid-tabulations, prepare proposals for award of contracts to the Committee on Contracts.

-Prepare Purchase Orders and send confirmations, requests for inspection and other correspondence, and monitor the manufacture/transport of ordered goods to ensure timely delivery.

-Provide guidance and advice on UNHCR procurement policies and procedures to support and assist requesting sections.

-Implement effective asset and fleet management that regularly monitors the asset/fleet pool, saves cost and safeguards the investment of the organisation including receipt, inspection, registration & marking of new Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE), organisation of the physical verification of PPE, ensure that PPE agreements are properly issued and signed, and preparation of disposal forms and cases for the Asset Management Board, and organise the disposal of PPE according to Asset Management Board decisions.

-Provide asset management reports, customised reports, and gathers information on all assets and provides in-depth reports periodically and when requested.

Businessd) support-Monitor the quality and accuracy of supply chain related data in relevant business systems. -Compile and analyse statistical information, identify trends and developments in supply chain related matters that will assist in decision making.-Disseminate and promote UNHCR’s global policies, standards and guidance on supply chain management.-Any other responsibility deemed necessary or as delegated by the Supervisor in order to meet the level of service required by the organisation.

Authority-Identify, assess and select vendors based on their capability for delivering commodities and services. Maintain vendor and item master databases.

-Make recommendations to senior management for resources allocation to support on-going operations.

-Determine shipment methods, routes and delivery schedules to meet demand in the most timely manner.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience requiredCompletion of the Secondary School Education with post-secondary training/•

certificate in Trade, Business Administration, Economics, Marketing or a related field;

Minimum 6 years of previous relevant professional job experience;•

Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language and/•or local language.

Desirable qualifications & competenciesCompletion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to •

functions of the position such as the Supply Chain Learning Programme (SCLP).

Computer skills (MS Office and PeopleSoft/MSRP).•

Experience in customs formalities.•

Experience in logistics or warehousing.•

NB: Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Applicants should consult the UNHCR Policy and Procedures on Assignment of Locally Recruited staff (PPAL) para 16-22 on eligibility to apply for positions within the GS category (IOM/49-FOM/50/2012 dated 15 June 2012 refers) and submit an application letter, copies of relevant documents together with an updated P11 form which can be downloaded from the UNHCR website (www.unhcr.org/recruit/p11new.doc) to:

The Representative, UNHCR Eritrea, P.O. Box 1995, Meteten St, 1A754 House 35, Asmara, Eritrea.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for a written test and oral interview.

NB: UNHcR does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

7Vol. 26 No. 6Eritrea Profile ,Wednesday, March 20, 2019

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT2019/02

The World Health Organization (WHO) wishes to recruit a suitably qualified candidate, dynamic and highly motivated general Services Staff to fill the vacant Post of Admin Assistant to the WHO Representative in the WHO country Office Eritrea, as detailed hereunder:

Title of Post: Admin Assistant to WHO Health Emergencies Unit (WHE)

Duration: 2 Years (Fixed Term)Salary grade Level: gS.06 (UN salary scale of Eritrea)

Purpose of the Position:

Under the supervision of the Country’s Operations officer and over all guidance/leadership of the WHO Representative the incumbent is responsible for the efficient organization and functioning of the WHE program in the country office, as well as to staff and teams in the Department as assigned by the Country Preparedness and IHR Officer, including provision of administrative support services in the implementation of the work programs; ensuring correct application of WHO administrative rules and regulations.

Job Description of the incumbent.

1. Provide full administrative support to the assigned program (WHE). Draft, review and revise correspondences, reports and documents on proper format and content in consultation with the supervisor. Independently compose correspondences of administrative nature, take notes at meetings, provides informal interpretation/translation when required;

2. Scan, record, refer and follow up correspondences and documents, evaluate the urgency or critical nature bringing them to the attention of the responsible staff. Inform and remind responsible staff of follow-up dates, response or specific actions, supplying supporting material as appropriate;

3. Compile background materials for planning, monitoring and evaluation (including mini-review) exercises. Maintain and update the filing of technical documents and correspondences (soft/hard copies and databases if applicable). Create background reference material as appropriate; access and retrieve relevant material;

4. Finalize all administrative and logistics preparations required for the organization of meetings held in the country (working groups, seminars/courses, workshops) and pay per diem to participants as appropriate (if needed);

5. Prepare and process travel requests for team members using GSM, arrange for visa issuance, security clearance, flight and hotel bookings, follows up travel related issues of national and international missions;

6. Using GSM, monitor aspects of the implementation of WHE activities, funds for project/ program budget levels and financial expenditures, according to the approved country work plan. Initiate and process different transactions in GSM, including procurement of goods and services. Follows up with concerned parties the receipt of deliverables and finalization of payments;

7. Manage briefing requests, maintain records and follow up on deadlines, collect information from teams, other departments/programs/units, for timely submission for the Cluster Head’s clearance/signature;

8. Respond to and act on telephone enquiries in a timely manner. Assess the critical nature of technical issues and direct them to appropriate staff for reply, coordinate appointments for supervisors, establish and maintain a proper computerized information system on Ministry of Health and UN counterparts, WHO Collaborating Centers, etc.

9. Brief colleagues on general office administrative process. Assist/ including replacing

10. Perform other related duties as required or instructed by supervisor, including providing support to other areas of work.

Core Competencies : 1. Knowing and managing yourself*2. Producing results*3. Fostering integration and teamwork4. Moving forward in a changing environment5. Communicating in a credible and effective way

Essential knowledge and the skills specific to the position:

The incumbent maintains and updates proficiency in the use of modern office technology through of in-house courses, on-the-job training or self-training. He/she keeps abreast of changes in procedures and practices, rules and regulations, organizational structure, in the department, the cluster and WHO, to be able to brief others and explain procedures.

Educational Qualifications:

• Essential:Completionofsecondaryschooleducationandequivalenttechnical or commercial

Education. Desirable: Higher education Diploma or Degree in related field is an

advantage.

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Welcome back. Let’s start with your very first connection with Eritrea?

Just by the end of my high-school years, I started to be influenced by the idea of solidarity works. By the end of the 1960s, many African countries were liberated from colonialism. In 1972, I came in to contact with Eritrea through a post mail at the ELF’s office in Damascus. I remember Ethiopia was going through a terrible

“The world needs to know the truth about Eritrea”Asmait Futsumbrhan

Today, Q&A brings you an old friend of Eritrea, Dr. Hans-Ulrich Stauffer, an attorney of law and lecturer at the University of Basel. Dr. Stauffer made his first connection with Eritrea at the beginning of the 1970s during the armed struggle for independence. He knew and visited the field to get a good insight into how the people of Eritrea worked and struggled to get their independence. Dr. Stauffer has published several articles, on different media outlets, about Eritrea and its people with an aim to portray the true image to the world. He has always maintained his connection with Eritrea and its people and published a book in the german language last year which was sold out.

Today, Q&A talks to Dr. Hans-Ulrich during his short stay in Eritrea.

hunger at the time. Emperor Haile Selasie never tried to acknowledge the situation of the people, which was unfair. That was a hot topic and was given a wide coverage by the media. That is when I started to wonder what was going on in the country. As a result, I first produced a brochure that spread information about the country and I got committed from that time forward. In 1976, I was a co-founder of a bulletin that was published four times a year;

we covered articles about Eritrea and the things that took place at the time. In a certain way our information helped many others to get the real image of Eritrea or Ethiopia-Eritrea at the time.

You visited the field during the war. What do you remember?

It was in 1987 when I visited the Nakfa front. I came to see what the people were going through to get their independence. After my visit I published 15 articles in German on the Switzerland papers that talked about the truth about the people of Eritrea and their struggles. The world needed to know. It wasn’t a fight of the East against the West. Eritrea was isolated and it was fighting against all odds. The only help was through the diaspora, so writing those articles was helpful in a way.

I also came just at the end of the war, and in 1993 I was here during the referendum. However, I haven’t been here for many years after independence. It was only in 2014 that I made another visit. After 2000, suddenly many youngsters migrated from Eritrea to Switzerland and it made many people wonder what was happening in Eritrea. It raised many questions and was a big issue. Old friends started asking me if I knew anything about the current situations of Eritrea. I wasn’t able to answer back since I haven’t been here for so long. That is why I wanted to see for myself what was really happening instead of reading on the net. I believe it is better to see one time than to read 10,000 articles.

Is that how you came up with your book about Eritrea?

Exactly! I came and saw how the country was in a no war no peace situation. I wrote the book in German language and was disputed highly in Swiss. The book includes information about the background of Eritrea and the colonial struggles it went through. It also talks about the beautiful historical buildings from the Italian times and how well they have been preserved. I also tried to describe the daily life of the community. Over all, the book attempts to give the right information about the country.

I also have three booklets that have articles from reliable sources such as the official English newspaper of the country, Eritrea Profile, and other media on the Internet regarding the current peacemaking efforts in Eritrea and Ethiopia and generally in the Horn of Africa. In my opinion, it

is fascinating to see things change so easily. What the Government of Eritrea and Ethiopia are trying to achieve is exemplary and could be beneficiary for all the countries in the region. I believe that every region has something to be benefited from and I think it is about time that the region enjoys a time of prosperity. I compiled many articles regarding the situation in order to spread the information to the world. The world needs to know the truth about Eritrea.

Do you have a message you want to convey at last, Dr. Stauffer?

Things take long to get solutions. My hope is Eritrea is doing the best it can and the responsible people would wait until everything works. I think people should use this opportunity for a better future. I am also writing my second edition which will include the newly occurring events in Eritrea. Dr. Hans-Ulrich Stauffer’s First edition book about Eritrea

written in German language

8Vol. 26 No. 6Eritrea Profile ,Wednesday, March 20, 2019