Handicap International is an international organisation specialised in the field of disability.  Non-governmental, non-religious, non-political and non-profit making, it works alongside people with disabilities, whatever the context, offering them assistance and supporting them in their efforts to become self-reliant. Since its creation, the organisation has set up programmes in approximately 60 countries and intervened in many emergency situations. It has a network of eight national associations (Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA) which provide human and financial resources, manages projects and raises awareness of Handicap International’s actions and campaigns.

Job context :

Being present in Afghanistan since 1996 with a comprehensive approach to respond to the needs of persons with disability and to participate in the reconstruction of the Afghan Health System, Handicap International holds an important geographic position in Afghanistan, implementing inclusion as well as physical rehabilitation projects in the provinces of Kabul, Herat and Kandahar.

A. Introduction to the country and region  

Kenya is located along the coast of the Indian Ocean in East Africa. Although it is a coastal country, it has many neighbours. It is bordered by Somalia to the east, Ethiopia to the north, Sudan to the north-west, Uganda to the west and Tanzania to the south.  

At the heart of Kenya is Mount Kenya after which it is so named however Kenya boasts of a wide variety of geographical landmarks and diverse terrain. Prominent features include Lake Victoria, the Masai Mara and the Great Rift Valley. It follows that Kenya represents a large number of distinct populations or tribal groups with a diversity of traditions and beliefs. Kenya is divided into eight provinces and over 70 districts.  

In the late 1950's political reform was brought about by the world famous and feared revolutionary Mau-Mau movement led by Jomo Kenyatta. Kenya declared its independence from Britain in 1960 as an African democratic society with Jomo Kenyatta the first African President of Kenya. Despite the turmoil in surrounding countries over the years, Kenya has remarkably enjoyed relative politically stability since independence.  

This year however Kenya's political environment led to a rapid deterioration of stability with elections for President in December 2007. The re-election of President Mwai Kibaki was contested by the opposition with accusations of corruption of election results. This caused a division between the two largest tribal groups within the country leading to wide-spread violence. Both parties have engaged in a reconciliation process that has led to a shared power agreement between the president and opposition leader Raila Odinga, who is set to become the first Kenyan Prime Minister.  

Immediately following the negotiations, peace has returned to Kenya and communities are eagerly in the process of rebuilding Kenya.  

For more specific information link to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya  

International Profile: Angola

Donna Matheson 

A. Introduction to the country and region  

Location and geography 

Angola is located in southwestern Africa, bordered to the south by Namibia, to the east by Zambia, and to the north by DR Congo.  Most of Angola is temperate interior plateau with a small coastal plain that is semi-arid.  Lubango is a city located in south-western Angola on the edge of the interior plateau. Lubango is the capital of the Huila province and has an estimated population of approximately 500 000.  Given the elevation, Lubango is quite temperate with a wet but warm season January to April and the cold season May to August. 

Handicap International Belgium recherche un Conseiller en Réadaptation à Base Communautaire à Kinshasa/République Démocratique du Congo à partir de Septembre 2008. Ce projet vise à renforcer l’inclusion de la personne en situation de handicap dans sa famille et dans la communauté de Kinshasa et à responsabiliser les acteurs. Pour une compréhension plus exhaustive du poste, vous pouvez consulter notre site et postuler online http://jobs.handicap.be/jobs/detailjob.asp?id=262