Careers in ISED

Opportunities

Getting a job is easier than entering into the right career. But, opportunities of shaping a career, depends upon the type of organization in which one works.

ISED, having a truly interdisciplinary track, and a spectrum of activities, offers enormous opportunities for young and aspiring professionals to shape an appropriate career. Leadership, managerial skills, and skills in articulation, and effective communication, are qualities that are characteristics of the ISED team. And these are the skills that are imparted by the Institute to young professionals.

The ISED team is marked by its exposure in administrative, academic and managerial fields. It offers a variety of programmes through which these capabilities trickle down. Two major programmeswhich ensure such trickle down of capabilities are: 1) International Internship Programme in Sustainable Development (IIPSD); and 2) Apprenticeship Programme in Development Management (APDM).APDM  is not a tenure –based programme.

1. INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IIPSD)

1.0. Mission of the Programme
Institute of Small Enterprises and Development (ISED) is a Center for advanced learning and practice in enterprise development, with thrust on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The Institute's mission is to advance the theory and practice of development, and especially of enterprise development, among civil society, enterprises, policy makers, international partners, media, and other practitioners. In doing so, the Institute provides a vehicle for an examination of policy, introspection on development experience, evolution of appropriate strategies, and demonstration of methodological innovations. By mandate and practice, the Institute operates at local, national and international platforms.
ISED’s forte is sustainable enterprise development ‘Sustainable development’,beyond an abstract concept, need to be translated into a concrete real world experience. ISED believes in the synergy of academic excellence and the real world experience as vital to the pursuit of sustainable development. But, such an experience of synergy is a very rare one.
Re inverting the wheel through parallel efforts by academicians and practitioners will not lead to meaningful and socially relevant outcomes of development. Such outcomes can be expected best when opportunities are offered at the reach of all well- meaning aspirants. ISED is keen that, its rich resources emerging from the practice of sustainable enterprise development should percolate in the community. International.Internship Programme in Sustainable Development(IIPSD) is specially structured to promote such vision and mission of the Institute.

2.0. Objectives
IIPSD is a special opportunity offered by ISED to outsiders, in order to gain first- hand on- the- job exposure  on the theory and practice of sustainable enterprise development.
The specific objectives of the Programme are:

(1) to provide  opportunities for gaining experience on the theory and practice of sustainable development, with special focus on enterprise development and responsible business.
(2) to expose  the Interns to the Programme and activities of the Institute ,through involving them  in the regular activities of the Institute ,under its   various Activity Centres
(3) to provide an exposure on India's Micro Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME) sector and social enterprises, and their  role and opportunities.

3.0. Content of the Programme
A truly multi-disciplinary programme, the IIPSD is meant to offer a platform for cross-fertilisation of varied knowledge, skills, and backgrounds, to the context of sustainable development. Hence, the Internship meant for students, researchers and practitioners from varied backgrounds.
The Interns are placed under different projects and activities of the Institute, based on their interests and competence, as also on the requirements of the Institute's programme. The activity spectrum includes, research, organization of seminars and events, business development services, publication etc. 
The candidates have to work in any one or more of the broad Activity areas:

(1) Field research/preparation of case studies.
(2) Desk research
(3) Publishing and content development
(4) Production of documentaries
(5) Market Research
(6) Development of networks
(7) Organization of seminars and discussion groups.

4.0. Who Can Apply?
Persons who have completed Graduation or Post-Graduation, who intend to do their Summer Internship, activists, and middle level researchers, or media workers ,can apply. Candidates from social sciences, social work, management, and engineering, are generally preferred.

5.0. Duration
Internships are of a duration of three months to one year. However, short term Internships also are considered  rarely on merit.

6.0. Output and Benefits
The Interns are expected to work under the supervision of a Faculty Member. They should submit a detailed Internship Report on completion of their Internship period. This report will be peer- reviewed. This Report can be used as a preliminary document demonstrating the research capabilities of the Intern in an international environment.
The benefits to the Interns, as offered by the Programme ,are the following:
(1) Opportunities of placement/ training as part of particular courses (eg. MSW, MBA   Programme, courses in Business Economics etc.)
(2) Career guidance
(3) Development of soft skills and hard skills.
(4) Exposure to research and Programme environment (The contents of the Internship Report, with written permission from the Institute, can be used for the partial requirements of another course, eg. M. Phil/Ph.D).
(5) Exposure, of an international scale, with the private sector, government, voluntary sector ,and academia.

7.0. How to Apply?
Correspondence in this connection are invited both from individuals and from their respective institutions, throughout  the year.  Applications are processed on a quarterly basis, viz, January- March, April-June, July-September and October-December. Internships are generally unpaid.

8.0. Some Tips for Applicants:

  1. The Programme is specially meant for international candidates who would like to have a completely different experience and work environment. However, candidates from India also may apply.
  2. This is a specially structured programme, which involves the time and resources of the Institute substantially ,and therefore, the opening is meant  only for serious candidates.
  3. All applications should be forwarded through the Head of the Department or Head of the Institution, to which the candidate is attached.
  4. The candidates are not eligible for any remuneration during the period of Internship.
  5.  In case the candidate has to get a certification; he has to apply for the same by making the necessary fee in this connection.
  6. Stationery, refreshment and other expenses are chargeable from the Interns as per Institute rules.
  7. The Institute  reserves the right to ask for a (returnable) Security Deposit, at the time of joining the Internship.
  8. The selection process takes place in the following manner:

(a)    candidates desirous of joining the programme should send an Expression of Interest (EOI),  (email: director@isedonline.org)
(b)   On the basis of a preliminary screening of the EOI, the  prescribed application form will be mailed to such eligible applicants within one week of receipt of the EOI.The application should necessarily contain a write-up(maximum 150 words) on why the candidate is interested in this Internship. The filled in application should reach ISED within 10 days.
(c)    Based on the review of filled-in applications, the Review Committee will select candidates for interview.
(d)    The interview shall be direct or telephonic.
(e)    The results of the interview will be announced within 10 days, unless  otherwise communicated.
(f)     Selected candidates should join strictly at the date specified in the  application, or else, the offer will get cancelled with immediate effect.
(g)    The Institute reserves the right to cancel the Internship of a person at any stage,before joining the Programme.
(h)    The Institute also reserves the right to terminate Internship of a person summarily,on valid grounds.In cases (g) and (h), no fee already paid will be returned.

  1. All foreign candidates have to fulfill then necessary formalities, such as insurance,  clearances with the Govt. of India, including registration with the Office of the Foreigners Registration attached to the Office of the City Police Commissioner, Cochin, before joining the Internship.
  2. Application for Internship should be submitted in the prescribed format, available from the Institute, along with details of payment of the specified processing fee as follows:

Candidates from India: Rs. 5000/-( by Demand Draft)
Foreign candidates      : US $ 100 (by Bank Transfer)

Applications without the above details will be summarily rejected.

Telephonic enquiries will not be entertained All correspondence in connection with the IIPSD need to be in the following address:


The Coordinator,
Internship Programme,
Institute of Small Enterprises and Development
ISED House, ISED Road, Cochin 682 028, India.
Ph: 0484 2808171/ 2808727 Fax: 0484 2809884
Email: ised@md2.vsnl.net.in, info@isedonline.org

2. APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME IN DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT(APDM)

1.0 Background
In the “New Economy”, of today, unlike in the past, the ‘jobs’ available are of a relatively shorter duration, so that one should be prepared to change his job several times during his active life-time. Behind the so-called “boom” of high-paid jobs and migration opportunities, is this rather subtle danger of constant search for new job opportunities. This problem is being increasingly felt among such categories, like return migrants, laid-off workers etc. A much more severe problem relates to lack of entry opportunities. Even the highly educated hands are unable to make an entry into an appropriate career; those who have already entered, find it difficult to sustain it. This is because, employers often look for persons with particular skills, and do not often have the patience to train freshers. Therefore, a large number of educated unemployed hands are victims of a process of exclusion from the labour market. Academic degrees naturally do not have much practical value, unless they get linked with an appropriate career.

2.0 Rationale
Liberalization and globalization, however, have thrown up significant new opportunities as well. The greatest opportunity, as on today, lies with the so-called “Knowledge Economy”. To gain entry into the knowledge economy, and be part of it, is a difficult task. The fast change in several sectors and activities of the economy has thrown open’ Development Management’ as a major area, which opens up opportunities for entry into a fresh sector: the Development Sector, with positive implications on employment opportunities as well. New areas like, applied economic research, media studies, market research, opinion polls etc., do absorb a large number of educated hands. Today, most agencies, including international agencies,donors,corporate sector, and governments, do have seperate Research Divisions and funds, which are administered by them directly or indirectly through other agencies. Most of these agencies do offer entry positions as Research Executives,Data Analysts, and Programme Officers etc.. A large number of international donor agencies are on the look out for dynamic young persons who are versatile and hard working. The opportunities thus range from, private consultancy organizations, Government Departments, Ministries, international donor agencies, NGOs, foreign embassies, financial institutions, DFIs etc. Though India has a large number of educated people with high academic qualifications, the demand for such skilled hands is not fully met now. It is against this background that the ‘Apprenticeship Programme in Development Studies’ (APDM) has been designed and initiated at the Institute of Small Enterprises and Development.

3.0 Objective
The objective of this Programme is to provide, on-the-job practical skills to those youngsters who aspire to work in the development sector. It may help the trainee to gain a suitable employment in the development sector. It may also help some to shape their educational career in the academic field.

4.0 Programme Content
The Programme content is structured in such a way as to cultivate appropriate motivation and attitudes among trainees and to equip them acquire the basic skills, which are vital for grabbing available opportunities in the development sector. The development sector is a generic term used to denote those areas of human intervention where various stakeholders participate for the common goal of sustained development. It implies a situation where these stakeholders cooperate and learn from each other, thereby adding to development strategies and outputs of a progressive nature. This process generates substantial externalities. Researchers can contribute to such externalities in the form of new ideas, which are marketable. Technical hands such as Computer Professionals having an exposure on the development sector can contribute significantly in terms of e-solutions and applications. Prolific writers and creative people can generate express forms for the new ideas generated by researchers. The collective contribution of several of such actors, together contribute something really big to the process of development, much bigger than the government or the private sector can contribute in isolation.

This programme seeks to familiarize the participants regarding the chemistry and logic of the development sector, so that they may get an opportunity to take part in that sector. This, obviously, is an innovative programme, which none of the formally structured courses of today offer.

The Organisers
Being conceptualized, designed and organized by the Institute of Small Enterprises and Development (ISED), this programme provides an opportunity for the participants to draw from the vast exposure of the Institute over the past 20 years. The programme is demonstrative of the Institute’s commitment to the society it serves.

5.0 Methodology
The methodology involves the following:
1. Theoretical inputs and orientation;
2. Practical on-the-job skills; and
3. Field exposure.

6.0. Benefits of the Programme
The selected candidates are entitled to the following benefits:
a) Exposure on various job opportunities in the development sector.
b) Provides basic skills required for such job opportunities.
c) Gets a Certificate which is valued by Development Research Institutes, Market Research Agencies and NGOs.
d) Scholarships to selected number of candidates.
e) Exposure to Foreign Universities, Research Institutes and Scholars. Junior and Senior Programmes

The junior programme is meant for graduates and the senior programme for the post-graduates. While the senior programme is meant to be significantly oriented towards academic activities, the junior programme has a significant thrust on administrative roles.

However, the basic modules relevant for the development sector will be commonly provided to all the trainees.

Academic and Professional Worth of the Programme
APDM is strongly based on the understanding that, it is the lack of relevant skills that alienate the educated unemployed from the labour market. Therefore, the focus of the programme is not on providing degrees and diplomas, but to ensure that opportunities are not barred to the right candidates. The programme offers a Certificate of Proficiency by the Institute.

Institute of Small Enterprises and Development is affiliated to the Indian Association of Social Science Institutes, New Delhi. The Programme is also in the process of being developed as a Consortium Programme jointly with selected Universities in India and abroad.

Application
Application should be addressed to the Director, ISED, Kochin