KOPERNIK

KOPERNIK LAST MILE RESEARCH FELLOW

HARD-WORKING, MOTIVATED, MULTILINGUAL TALENT WITH A PASSION FOR SOCIAL IMPACT? APPLY HERE.

ABOUT KOPERNIK

Kopernik is an exciting, fast-growing, cutting-edge organisation tackling technology distribution challenges. We emphasise a hybrid philanthropy-business model in achieving our mission - different from the traditional charity approach of giving away goods and services for free.

Our team works tirelessly to put the last mile first. Our culture shapes the way we work. We value action, we get things done, we are open and transparent in everything we do, and we always look for ways to innovate. We come to work with a smile, which is easy when a strict no jerks policy applies.

THE POSITION

We are currently looking for 10 Last Mile Research Fellows to conduct research and monitoring and evaluation tasks at a number of our project locations.

DURATION

The Kopernik Last Mile Fellowship Program is a 10-week program running from June to August in 2015

THE SCHEDULE INVOLVES:

• June 1 – 5: Fellowship orientation in Kopernik HQ in Bali, Indonesia 
• June 8 – July 31: Eight-week fieldwork in respective project locations 
• Aug 3 – 7: Final presentation and wrap-up in Kopernik HQ in Bali, Indonesia

OVERVIEW

BACKGROUND

Kopernik delivers simple, life-changing technologies to last mile communities to reduce poverty. As of January 2015, Kopernik has distributed over 41,000 units of such products to over 220,000 people through the implementation of over 120 projects in 21 countries.

Kopernik’s co-founders, Toshi Nakamura and Ewa Wojkowska, saw that sustainable energy technologies like solar lights, clean cookstoves, and water filters that could improve the lives of poor people existed, but they weren’t reaching the people who really needed them. They wanted to bridge the gap and left a decade of service with the United Nations to launch Kopernik in 2010. 

Kopernik connects producers of innovative technologies, communities that need them, and donors through an online marketplace facilitating the movement of money, technology, and information to improve the lives of the poor. Kopernik balances a philanthropic and business approach to distributing technology designed to benefit people in developing countries. 

Donors fund the upfront costs of introducing technologies and creating micro-business opportunities in remote communities. The money raised from product sales is reinvested in more technology for the last mile. 

A core component of Kopernik’s distribution model is the empowerment of women who serve as retailers and promoters of sustainable energy products for their own communities. These women are either existing small shop owners or individuals looking to start their own businesses. Through Kopernik’s training and mentorship, the women undergo ‘economic empowerment journeys’ as they distribute technologies and develop their businesses. The women’s empowerment model is described and published in an article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review: http://kopernik.info/update/subsidizing-impact

REQUIREMENTS

We require candidates with:

• A Masters degree or PhD (or degree candidate) in a relevant discipline such as international development, public administration, economics, business administration, engineering, public health, etc;
• Excellent communication skills in English (local language skills in Indonesian, Burmese, Hindi, Tetum, are highly valued);
• Excellent research and analytical skills;
• Advanced computer skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint and the ability to present information in a professional manner;
• A can-do and collaborative mind set – comfortable with the ambiguities and demands of a rapidly evolving work environment;
• Experience or a demonstrated willingness to travel to remote communities with limited infrastructure and services; 
• Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment where communication can be difficult;
• High energy levels, resilience and adaptability;
• A commitment to Kopernik’s values and reaching underserved communities. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

For this Kopernik Last Mile Fellowship Program intake, Kopernik will be recruiting candidates to work on three types of projects. Four candidates will be recruited for project type #1, with one individual working independently on each project. Six candidates will be recruited for project type #2 and #3, with teams of three people working on each assignment.

 

PROJECT TYPE #1: MONITORING AND EVALUATING KOPERNIK PROJECTS, ASIA-PACIFIC

The key task involves conducting household surveys to understand the impact of Kopernik’s projects on the people who use the technology distributed (solar lights, fuel-efficient cookstoves or water filters) by Kopernik’s local partners in the Asia-Pacific. The main deliverable will be an impact assessment report to be published on our website. An assessment will also take place to improve our relationship with the local partner and improve our training and project monitoring processes. Other research will be required to identify other potential NGOs/social enterprises that Kopernik can partner with in the area for future projects, livelihood mapping to identify other technologies that are needed in the region, and research on locally available technologies.

Note: One fellow at each location, with a total of four projects across the Asia-Pacific (currently Indonesia, Myanmar, India and Timor-Leste but subject to change).

 

PROJECT TYPE #2: OPERATIONAL RESEARCH FOR THE WONDER WOMEN PROGRAM, INDONESIA

Kopernik’s current priority in Indonesia is the scaling up of the Wonder Women program – an award-winning initiative that achieves women’s empowerment and clean energy product distribution at the same time. The program is implemented in Western Indonesia and Eastern Indonesia, involving various donors and stakeholders. 

Note: A team of three fellows, working to contribute to the implementation of operational research and qualitative studies already planned for the program. 

 

PROJECT TYPE #3: LIVELIHOOD PROCESS MAPPING, INDONESIA

Kopernik is keen to identify inefficiencies and ‘room for innovation’ in various sectors such as farming, fishing, transportation, etc. The deliverables include an annual calendar explaining the different tools/processes used for each economic activity and recommendations on which steps could benefit from what kind of innovative technologies. This exercise will feed directly into Kopernik’s Last Mile Consulting work, in which Kopernik advises companies regarding developing services and products for bottom of the pyramid (BOP) segments. 

Note: A team of three fellows, working to conduct research to improve Kopernik’s knowledge on innovative technologies needed in last mile communities. 

BENEFITS & EXPECTATIONS: 

1. Fellows are expected to bring their own laptops to work on their deliverables;
2. Fellows are expected to arrange and pay for their own flights to and from Bali, Indonesia, to coincide with the above-mentioned timetable;
3. Fellows must cover the costs associated with travel insurance and travel vaccinations and must provide their travel insurance policy details to Kopernik;
4. Fellows will be notified of country-specific requirements upon receiving their offer to participate in the program including visa requirements, what to bring and information regarding their host organisation and project location;
5. Fellows will work full-time, Monday to Friday in line with the host organisation’s office opening hours with the weekends off to enjoy in-country;
6. Kopernik will cover all transportation costs (flights, trains, taxis, etc.) associated with the round-trip travel between Bali and respective project locations; 
7. Kopernik will contribute US$500 as a stipend to cover fellows’ accommodation, food, and other living expenses (it is advisable that fellows find additional sources of funding to supplement this contribution);
8. Kopernik will provide a supervisor to mentor and monitor your progress during your assignment and will visit you in the field;
9. Kopernik will provide comprehensive training by industry professionals for one week in Bali prior to your mobilisation to the field and a one week wrap-up in Bali after your two months in the field is complete.

APPLY NOW

Please submit your CV, a cover letter and a one minute video explaining why you are perfect for this role via our online application form.http://kopernik.info/page/fellowships

Please address how you fulfil the requirements listed in this advertisement in your cover letter and state your preferences for specific project types (#1, #2 or #3). If there is a particular country you are not willing to travel to, please notify us of the country and the reason why so we are aware of this when matching candidates to projects.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and interviews will take place in the first two weeks of March 2015.