APAS Profile - Mid-career professionals, field workers or academics in Priority Agricultural Fields

Profile Specific Eligibility Criteria:

This category targets applicants who are employed in public institutions, private or civil society organisations at the federal or provincial levels and who are working within the priority sectors.

Candidates must also be well positioned to apply the knowledge and experience gained through course participation on their return to Pakistan.

At the completion of their courses, scholars identified with a potential influence on policy making will preferably return to key positions from where they will be able to influence reforms in the priority sectors.

Female applicants and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.

Candidates must:

• be mid-career professionals, field workers or academics currently employed (or otherwise formally engaged) by Pakistan public, private or civil society organisations that are actively engaged in agricultural research, policy development, application of improved agricultural practice, or associated extension activities
• be applying for a Masters course that advances development and application of policy or practice within a listed priority agricultural field. Preference may be given to areas of study that align with the capacity building objectives of the Australia-Pakistan Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy (APARDS)
• Identify fieldwork associated with research-based masters that is required to either be Pakistan-based or in an Australian field location with direct applicability and transferability to a relevant Pakistan context
• meet the general minimum eligibility criteria for Australian Development Awards (ADA), with the exception of standardised IELTS requirements
• be able to meet the Australian tertiary institution entry requirements
• have achieved or be able to demonstrate the capacity to reach IELTS 6.5
• be applying for a course that is relevant to the priority sectors outlined in this profile
• submit a personal statement that clearly articulates how the proposed field of study could add value to policy, practice and resource allocation for service delivery in the priority sectors
• be able to provide a No Objection Certificate to take up the scholarship in January 2013, from their employer
• have at least 2 years relevant post-graduate work experience with their current organisation or an organisation of equal relevance to priority fields. Preference may be given to candidates with greater periods of experience
• be able to demonstrate the ability to meet English Language Proficiency (IELTS Scores) for the stated requirement of the course in which they wish to enroll
• be Pakistani citizens and residents, of no more than 45 years of age at date of application
• female candidates are encouraged to apply
• people with a disability are encouraged to apply

Support Service

• Provision of course and research advice for shortlisted candidates.
• Access to Foundation Awards as deemed appropriate on a case-by-case basis.
• Standard ADA support conditions for awardees.
• Cost of IELTS test will be met by AusAID for the shortlisted candidates who take the test after 5 February 2012 and are successful in the preliminary screening.
• Applicants with disability, who otherwise meet the eligibility criteria, will be supported throughout the selection processes and while studying in Australia.