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The American International Health Alliance (AIHA)
Announces a Request for Proposals for a Partnership to Strengthen ZAMCOM’s Management, Administrative, and Institutional Capacity to Organize and Conduct Trainings, Specifically on HIV/AIDS Reporting. 

(for this announcement in PDF format, click here)

Date Issued: October 15, 2007                   
Closing Date and Time: December 14, 2007 5:00 PM (EST)

The deadline for submitting concept papers is Friday, December 14, 2007 5:00 PM (EST).

AIHA is pleased to announce a request for proposals in support of establishing a new volunteer-based partnership between the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) Educational Trust (see Appendix 1 for company profile) in Lusaka, Zambia and an educational institution, organization, or association with expertise in institutional and administrative capacity strengthening. Interested partners should be willing to devote substantial in-kind resources such as such as professional time and quarterly report writing to AIHA. Interested parties are also expected to travel to Zambia three to four times per year for approximately one to two week intervals. AIHA assumes the financial responsibility of all partnership expenditures, including travel exchanges, in the form of a partner sub-award. This is a one-year partnership in Zambia with the possibility, subject to funding, of an additional two-to-three year extension period.

I. Background

A. AIHA

The mission of the American International Health Alliance is to advance global health through volunteer-driven partnerships that mobilize communities to better address healthcare priorities while improving productivity and quality of care. Operating under a series of cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts with HRSA, USAID and other donors, AIHA establishes and manages partnerships between healthcare institutions in the United States and their counterparts overseas. AIHA also sponsors a number of supportive and collaborative activities, including inter-partnership conferences and workshops, and an online clearinghouse of healthcare information.

AIHA, through a Cooperative Agreement with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services, has established an “HIV/AIDS Twinning Center” (www.twinningagainstaids.org) to support partnership and volunteer activities as part of the implementation of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Through twinning partnerships, volunteers, and supportive assistance programs, the Twinning Center will contribute significantly to building key human and organizational capacity by: (a) directly training and mentoring care givers, (b) strengthening existing and new training and educational institutions and (c) developing models of care for improved organization and delivery of services for rapid scale-up of interventions to help meet the goals of the President’s Emergency Plan to prevent 7 million new infections, treat 2 million HIV-infected people, and care for 10 million HIV-infected individuals and AIDS orphans.

Under the current solicitation, AIHA will award one partnership. Funds for the grant awarded through this request for proposals are provided by HRSA via the US government team in Zambia to AIHA through a Cooperative Agreement.

B. Partnership Methodology

AIHA Twinning Center partnerships focus on an institution to institution peer relationship. Through sub-grants to successful applicants, AIHA typically provides support for partnership exchange travel; limited procurement and shipping of equipment and supplies; training and educational materials; partnership communication and coordination costs; participation in workshops and conferences; and other activities as specified in partnership work plans.  AIHA staff in Washington, DC and regional offices provides technical and logistical support and assists in monitoring the progress of partnerships.

In addition to the partners themselves, AIHA also plays an active role as a “partner,” providing key support services as well as participating in partnership performance monitoring and evaluation.  AIHA enables partners to maximize human and material resources by identifying and securing additional voluntary services from AIHA’s own strategic partners and providing a framework for collaboration within a larger international and policy context.

II. Partnership Strategy and Description

A. Goal and Objectives

The overall goal of the proposed partnership between ZAMCOM and a peer institution/organization is to strengthen ZAMCOM’s institutional and administrative capacity and bring expertise, particularly to address the deficiencies in the organization and management. Over an initial period of approximately one year (with the potential, based on performance and subject to funding, of an additional two to three years), AIHA will continue to support a partnership to strengthen the Zambian Institute of Mass Communication. Through this partnership, journalists will gain a better understanding of HIV/AIDS issues and become fully knowledgeable about AB approaches, and how to communicate messages that help the public avoid risky behavior. As well, journalists will be given the tools to better promote abstinence among youth, fidelity, and monogamous relationships.

The partnership will contribute to PEPFAR objectives and be integrated into the Zambian and US government activities in Zambia. The following objectives have been preliminarily identified for this partnership. More targeted and measurable objectives and indicators will be developed jointly by the partners, with Zambian and US government input, during the initial months of the partnership, consistent with AIHA’s partnership methodology which emphasizes a highly participatory approach to work plan development:

Objective #1: To strengthen ZAMCOM’s management, administrative, and institutional capacity to organize and conduct trainings, specifically on HIV/AIDS reporting.

Objective #2: To assist ZAMCOM in improving and expanding skills, practical techniques, and knowledge of journalists in media and print production, promotion, and distribution.

Objective #3: To strengthen and consolidate different training programs based on ZAMCOM's strategic goals, including media trainings for corporate personnel.

Objective #4: To provide ongoing technical assistance to ZAMCOM during the culminating annual journalism workshop.

B. Partnership Site

The partnership site will be located at the ZAMCOM office in Lusaka, Zambia.  Currently, the US Embassy Public Affairs Office (PAO) has identified the need for this partnership to strengthen the management and institutional capacity of ZAMCOM.  The PAO has supported ZAMCOM as an organization that pragmatically focuses on training diverse journalists to accurately report on HIV/AIDS in Zambia.

C. Collaboration and Coordination

AIHA seeks to ensure its partnerships and programs maximize effective use of resources and avoid duplication of efforts. Therefore, AIHA and its partners work to identify and develop synergies among related programs in a country. Such collaboration and coordination also facilitate the sustainability of partnership accomplishments.  In Zambia, the partnership is expected to collaborate with all relevant US government-funded health sector programs, particularly Columbia University, Boston University, and the University of Miami.  The partnership work plan, developed in consultation with stakeholders, will pay special attention to the role and contribution of other US government partners as well as other foreign-sourced development activities, such as activities supported by the Global Fund for AIDS, TB, and Malaria. In turn, the partnership’s outputs and outcomes will be shared with the US government country team and other in-country partners.

D. Monitoring and Evaluation

Partners are expected to participate actively in program performance monitoring and evaluation (M&E) efforts, including developing measurable partnership objectives and output/outcome indicators, collecting data, designing surveys or other assessment tools, and reporting to AIHA. Partnership M&E activities will be responsive to PEPFAR indicator targets and consistent with AIHA’s overall program M&E strategy (AIHA will provide the necessary orientation and training to partners). M&E activities will serve to: provide timely feedback about program performance and partnership progress and accomplishments (including PEPFAR indicators); ensure optimum use of available resources and improve programmatic decision-making; and strengthen the capacity of the zonal laboratory training institutions to conduct monitoring and evaluation.  AIHA will coordinate closely with Zambian and US governmental agencies on performance monitoring activities to serve stakeholders’ reporting and management needs.

As part of its monitoring activities, AIHA requires all partners to submit quarterly performance reports and progress against PEPFAR indicators within seven days of the end of each quarter.  These reports are used to prepare AIHA’s quarterly reports to the US government team and are critical to monitoring partnership progress. The reports include information on progress towards achieving PEPFAR targets and objectives, status of activities and outputs, and a discussion of any obstacles or constraints affecting the project during the reporting period along with plans to address these.

Finally, partners will participate in a final program review and assessment towards the end of the funding period.  Conducted jointly with local partners, this review will examine results accomplished during the life of the project, lessons learned, and future needs. The report will be submitted by AIHA to the US government team within 90 days after the end of the contract.

E. Program Funding

The amount of funds to be awarded to this partnership is expected to total approximately $100,000 for the initial 12-month period (September – August). Award of a partnership will be made once the AIHA selection process is complete and concurrence with ZAMCOM and the US Embassy Public Affairs Office in-country team is obtained.  Funds are disbursed in incremental amounts based on program progress and adherence to reporting requirements.  The award can be renewed annually, based on partnership performance and funding availability.

The award to the lead partner institution is typically used to fund partnership program and exchange travel-related expenses (including economy class airfare, visas, immunizations, lodging, meals and incidentals per diem, local transportation, and excess baggage fees), limited partner-initiated purchases of equipment and supplies (require separate prior approval), shipping, translations, materials development and other training-related expenses – all of which must correspond with the approved work plan.  In addition, AIHA allows for some minimal partnership administration and coordination costs.   As this award is funded by the US Government, AIHA utilizes the US government Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) as the basis for determining the reasonableness of proposed costs. The FTR regulation international per diem and lodging rate ceilings may be found at: http://www.state.gov/m/a/als/prdm/

Award recipients are required to forego indirect/overhead charges, but administrative costs related to coordinating the partnership are allowable. Awards should not be used to cover the salaries of personnel participating in partnership exchanges.

III. Terms of Solicitation

A. Eligibility Criteria

AIHA is seeking applications from a U.S. academic institution or association that are committed to the goals of this program. Eligible applicants include education institutions and affiliated centers, and professional associations. Applicants should have established expertise in organizational strengthening and development, particularly within journalism training. While profit-making entities are eligible to receive funding under this solicitation, AIHA will not pay any profit or fee under the sub-grant.

B. Requirements and Expectations of the Lead Partner

AIHA is seeking applications from a U.S. organization that has the institutional capacity to meet the goals and objectives of the partnership program as set forth in section II. Applications are encouraged from institutions that have not traditionally been involved in international development and technical assistance programs. Unlike traditional consultancy approaches, the AIHA partnerships are voluntary, peer-based technical assistance programs, with an emphasis on professional exchanges, voluntary contributions, and leveraging private sector funds.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate institutional capacity to meet program needs, either by creating a consortium of partner institutions or by demonstrating how the resources of other relevant institutions and community groups will be brought to bear in the partnership. In the case of a consortium application, a lead institution must be clearly designated in order to provide effective coordination and assure fiscal accountability.

The following are key requirements and expectations of partners under the program:

• Applicants are required to demonstrate their willingness to undertake the commitments of a partner required under the AIHA partnership model, including significant in-kind contributions, travel to Zambia, hosting Zambian partners, reporting on partnership activities and outcomes, and attending partnership orientations, workshops, and conferences.  The lead partner institution is expected to contribute the human resource component of their activities and forego customary institutional indirect charges.
• Applicants must agree to adhere to AIHA's objective-setting and results-oriented approach, including AIHA’s quarterly programmatic and monthly financial reporting, accountability procedures and requirements, and participate in program monitoring and evaluations to assess partnership progress and achievements.
• Applicants are expected to be flexible and responsive to changing needs of the Zambian partner.
• Applicants must agree to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with their Zambian partner and AIHA, which delineates specific objectives and responsibilities of signatories to the MOU.
• Applicants must be willing to share information openly and participate fully in AIHA's efforts to exchange information with other partnerships through the AIHA Web site and through dissemination conferences and seminars.
• Applicants must be willing to brief and debrief with the US government team in Zambia, the Zambian Ministry of Health, and others as needed.
• The successful applicant will be required to participate in a series of post-award preparatory activities. (See Section V.C. below).
• Lead partners are expected to work with their Zambian counterparts as equals and peers, jointly developing partnership work plans and implementing programs.
• The lead partner institution is required to designate a Partnership Coordinator whose role is to oversee the programmatic and administrative activities in support of the partnership and to serve as the point person in relations with AIHA. Partnership Coordinators are typically existing employees of the U.S. partner institution and serve in the position on a voluntary basis.  AIHA provides partners with a detailed description of the Partnership Coordinator role and responsibilities which include:
• overseeing and guiding development of partnership work plans
• identifying and recruiting volunteers to participate in the partnership
• coordinating partnership exchanges, trainings and other activities
• monitoring progress of the partnership against stated objectives and tracking appropriate PEPFAR indicators
• submitting progress reports and other required paperwork to AIHA and managing partnership budgets

C. Required Start-up Activities

The successful applicant must be prepared to participate in a rapid start-up of activities once notification of award is made by AIHA. The initial expected activities, funded under this award, are as follows:

• Partner orientation: Key lead partners, including the partnership coordinator, financial administrator, and personnel responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the partnership will be expected to participate in a two-day orientation meeting in Washington, DC.  The orientation will include an introduction to AIHA and its partnership model; roles, responsibilities and expectations of lead partners; best practices and lessons learned from successful AIHA partnerships; administrative and financial polices/procedures; and monitoring and evaluation. The orientation session will be scheduled to take place within four weeks of the announcement of the award.
• First partnership visit to Zambia: A delegation of lead partners is expected to visit the Zambian partnership site to meet with in-country partners and the US government team, to complete a site assessment, and to initiate partnership work plan discussions.  AIHA will facilitate the development of a draft partnership work plan. This first exchange is expected to occur before the end of October 1, 2007.
• Submission of partnership work plan: Partners must submit a jointly developed work plan (template and guidelines will be provided) to AIHA by November 1, 2007. The work plan will include partnership objectives, expected outcomes, and outcome indicators for the entire period of the partnership, as well as a detailed implementation plan (with activities and outputs) for the first program year.

D. Role of AIHA

• AIHA will provide support and guidance to partners for work plan development, ensure effective work plan implementation, facilitate administrative functions, provide active support in problem solving, and identify and maximize synergies with other AIHA partnerships and programs worldwide.
• AIHA will maintain communications with the US government team in Zambian and involve the partners as needed.
• AIHA will ensure coordination at the governmental level and will establish a working relationship with key representatives of departments of the Ministry of Health, as well as other relevant government entities and key stakeholders.
• AIHA will participate in planned site visits and will accompany partners during the first partnership exchanges.
• AIHA makes available centralized travel services, should the partners choose to use these services. During the start-up phase, prior to finalization of a sub-grant agreement, AIHA will make all necessary travel arrangements (for the orientation and initial exchanges described above). After that time, the partners may opt to make their own air travel arrangements funded under the partnership sub-grants.
• AIHA and its auditors will assess the lead partner organization’s financial management practices, based on a Risk Assessment Form to be completed by the lead partner.  This risk assessment will determine the organization’s risk level from 1-4 so that appropriate monitoring and audit procedures can be applied. Depending upon the organization’s overall rank, AIHA will recommend specific steps to adequately monitor the partner and determine appropriate audit requirements.
• AIHA will approve a preliminary budget at the time of award of the partnership grant and approve subsequent annual budgets based on approved partnership work plans. Subsequent changes to the budget must be agreed to in writing by AIHA.
• AIHA will review and approve all partnership work plans. Subsequent changes to the work plan must be agreed to in writing by AIHA.

IV. Application Process

A. Proposal format

The following section provides instructions for formatting and organizing the proposal.  A clearly written and easy-to-read proposal should be the goal of every applicant since the outcome of the review process depends on the reviewers’ understanding of the information provided.  Reviewers will use only the information presented in the application to assess the responsiveness to the review criteria stated below in Section IV B.

Solicitation for interested applicants is through submission of a proposal. The narrative section of the concept paper must be written in English and not exceed five (5) pages (8 ½ x 11 paper size, easily readable typeface, 11-point font, single-spaced with one-inch margins).  The final proposal must include the following sections:

1. Cover sheet
2. Description of institutional/organizational and personnel capacity
3. Narrative section
4. In-kind contribution/financial
5. Financial Certification Form

Note that the cover page, in-kind contribution/financial section, Financial Certification Form, P.L. 108 Certification, Debarment and Suspension Certification and any other attachments WILL NOT count toward the page limit.

1. Cover Sheet: Indicate title of the proposal, and contact information (name, title, address, telephone, fax number, and e-mail, plus name and title of primary contact person) of lead institution and all other expected partnership institutions, including specific department/division, as appropriate.

2. Description of Institutional and Personnel Capacity:
Institutional Capacity and Past Performance: Provide a brief description, including legal or registration status, of the institution(s) to be involved in the partnership and their existing relationship with one another. Describe how the strengths of the institution(s) match up with the priority needs of the program and identified needs of the Zambian partners.  Describe applicant’s previous activities and concrete results that are pertinent to the proposed partnership.

Personnel Capability and Experience: This section should cover both partnership management and technical resource capabilities. Information on key personnel, including for each key person a short description of experience and capacity relevant to the project description, and indication of level of effort each will dedicate to the proposed activities and the roles and responsibilities of each. Clearly identify the proposed Partnership Coordinator and describe his/her program management skills.

3. Narrative section: AIHA does not require a traditional technical proposal since the actual partnership work plan detailing objectives and activities will be developed jointly with the Zambian partner based on assessed needs and available resources. However, based on information contained in this request for proposal, the applicant is asked to describe both technical resources available to meet the program goals outlined above and possible approaches to addressing the key program areas.  The applicant should address the following in this section:

1. Proposed approaches to the following components and related institutional experience and capacity (please refer to section II):
• To strengthen ZAMCOM’s management, administrative, and institutional capacity to organize and conduct trainings, specifically on HIV/AIDS reporting.
• To assist ZAMCOM in improving and expanding skills, practical techniques, and knowledge of journalists in media and print production, promotion, and distribution.
• To strengthen and consolidate different training programs based on ZAMCOM's strategic goals, including media trainings for corporate personnel.
• To provide ongoing technical assistance to ZAMCOM during the culminating annual journalism workshop.
2. Illustrative approaches and timeline for meeting programmatic goals related to the above components within the partnership timeframe of 12 months.
3. Approaches to maintaining partnership communications and progress between exchange visits.
4. Approaches to monitoring and evaluation based on the aforementioned components.
5. Sustainability strategy

4. In-kind Contributions/Financial Section: Describe the applicant’s commitment to provide voluntary resources and its plan to generate and leverage in-kind contributions from its community and the private sector.  If possible, please indicate the value of in-kind time, goods and services expected to be contributed to the partnership.

Administrative support and coordination costs: Applicants should clearly indicate whether financial support from AIHA will be necessary for administrative support and coordination of partnership activities and estimate the level of funding that will be required. 

5. Required Forms and Certifications: All applicants are required to complete and submit with their application, the following forms/certifications:

• Coversheet
• Financial Certification Form (US applicants) or Financial Survey Questionnaire (non-US applicants)
• Letter Certifying Compliance with P.L. 108, “Prostitution and Related Activities”

The forms/certifications are available on the Twinning Center Web site (via links above).

These forms/certifications must be signed by an individual in the organization who is authorized to legally bind the organization. This is generally the Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer or an authorized contracts officer.

6. Solicitation Reference Documents: In order to facilitate understanding of the subgrant requirements, AIHA has posted model subgrant documents on the Twinning Center Web site for review and informational purposes:

• Partnership Quarterly Progress Report Template
• Partnership/Project Workplan Template
• Model Subgrant Provisions for US and non-US Non-Governmental Organizations

B. Proposal Review

Proposals will be reviewed and rated by a review committee composed of AIHA staff and outside experts.  Applicants may be asked to answer questions of clarification.

Based on the results of the review process, AIHA will recommend to the US government team in Zambia an institution or group of institutions that best matches the needs of the Zambian partner, best fulfills the criteria below, and offers the greatest potential for sustaining a partnership beyond the availability of AIHA funding. Notification of the winning concept paper is expected to occur by August 15, 2007.

Review Criteria: The following key factors will be considered in selecting the successful applicants:

General [20 Points]

• Clear and strong support of senior leadership and Board(s) of Directors of lead institution and any other institutions involved in the application.
• Clear understanding of and commitment to voluntary nature of partnership program.

Institutional Capability and Past Performance [30 Points]

• Documented capacity to strengthen the training, organizational, and management needs of ZAMCOM.
• Linkages with a broad range of other relevant institutions in applicant’s community, including universities, NGOs, faith-based organizations, etc.
• Evidence of strong project management capability.
• Evidence of strong financial management capability and internal controls.
• Potential for sustainable relationship beyond US government/AIHA funding.

Personnel Capability and Experience [20 Points]

• Range and extent of technical expertise available to contribute to accomplishing program goals.
• Appropriate qualifications and relevant experience of Partnership Coordinator and other key individuals involved in managing the partnership. Adequacy of Partnership Coordinator in technical and managerial skills to provide guidance and oversight to the partnership, including skills in consensus building.

Technical Proposal [30 Points]

• Demonstrated understanding of the partnership methodology, particularly the collaborative and peer-to-peer aspects.
• Adequacy of proposed approaches to program components and related institutional experience and capacity to address these components.
• Sound and realistic approaches and timeline for meeting programmatic goals within the partnership timeframe.
• Clearly articulated approaches to gathering information and conducting assessments related to identified program components.
• Proposed approach to monitoring and evaluation, evidence of experience in measuring program outcomes, and a willingness to participate in AIHA's M&E activities.
• Approaches to maintaining partnership communications and progress between exchange visits.
• Demonstrated willingness to work collaboratively with other related programs and organizations, as well as with Zambian ministries and other local entities.

In-kind Contributions/Financial

• Significant in-kind contribution of resources, including human resources.
• Clear commitment or plan to generate additional in-kind resources, such as equipment, supplies, housing for visiting Zambian partners, etc.
• Foregone institutional overhead and other indirect costs.
• Level of funding required for partnership coordination and administrative support.

C. Guidance and Support for Applicants

Applicants may obtain additional information and guidance in the following ways:

AIHA’s Twinning Center Web site at www.twinningagainstaids.org contains information about AIHA, its partnership philosophy, institutional structure, and past experience in facilitating partnerships. In addition, a special section for this Request for Proposals and its supplemental attachments, along with Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the Twinning Center Web site under “Funding Opportunities” and “Solicitation Announcements.”

AIHA will accept questions and provide responses concerning this solicitation via e-mail. Please send questions to ZAMCOMsolicit@aiha.com or via fax at (202) 789-1277, Attention: ZAMCOM Proposal Review

D. Submitting a concept paper

Electronic Submission:
Proposals may be submitted electronically as a Microsoft Word attachment(s) to ZAMCOMsolicit@aiha.com. We recommend that applicants include a received/read receipt to the email. Proposals also may be submitted by mail service as outlined below.

Hard Copy Submission
Applicants must submit one (1) hard copy of the proposal and one (1) copy on diskette or CD-ROM in MS Word format. These should be submitted to the address below.

American International Health Alliance
1250 Eye Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC  20005
Attn:  ZAMCOM Proposal Review
Telephone:  (202) 789-1136
Fax:  (202) 789-1277

Applicants should retain for their records one copy of any and all concept papers, attachments, and other submissions to AIHA.

The deadline for submitting proposals is December 14, 2007 5:00 PM (EST).

X. Disclaimer

Applications are submitted at the risk of the applicant. Issuance of this RFA does not constitute an award commitment on the part of AIHA, nor does it commit AIHA to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of applications.  AIHA reserves the right to reject any or all applications received.  Award of the grants contemplated by this RFA cannot be made until funds have been appropriated, allocated, and committed to AIHA. Continued funding for all projects throughout their duration will be dependent upon the grantee's performance and availability of funds from HRSA.  While AIHA anticipates that these procedures will be successfully completed, potential applicants are hereby notified of these requirements and conditions for the award.

Appendix 1

Zambia Institute of Mass Communication Educational Trust (ZAMCOM)

Company Profile

The Zambia Institute of Mass Communication Educational Trust is an independent professional media training trust in Zambia. The institute was initially the in – service training wing of the Ministry of Information and broadcasting when it was first established in the early 1980’s. It has since then seen a lot of change and transformation where now it is mandated to offer professional media and communication training for professionals from within and outside Zambia. This mandate comes well stipulated by act of parliament through the ZAMCOM Act of 1996 in the parliament of the republic of Zambia.

Situated in the serene mid lands of Lusaka city, ZAMCOM offers conducive grounds for learning. The Institute has five major departments that are divided to carter for the needs of the media industry at large. The departments include; The Television, Radio, Information Technology (IT), Print Media and the HIV/AIDS and Gender Media departments. The institute further has an accounts department that takes care of all accounts and administrative matters. Each of these departments is run by a departmental manager that reports to the director who is also the chief executive of the institute.

The TV department is fully equipped with state of the art TV equipment suited for today’s training needs. This department also has a fully fledged recording studio with control rooms that uses current technology to conduct training and other TV recording activities. The TV studio is able to record both studio based production and Outside Broadcast (OB) productions according to the clients' needs. It has well trained staff that is able to deliver to the needs of clients.

The Radio department which is the other electronic media based department apart from the TV, also has a recording studio and is fully fitted with current radio recording equipment that tally to modern training trends and needs. This department is mandated to carry out all training related to radio. It also does a lot of studio and OB production for different clients from time to time throughout the year. The radio department has in place well trained personnel that carry out day to day business in the department.

The Print Media department is one that is specialized and mandated to organize and undertake training for the print media section of the media industry. It therefore carries out issue based training programmes for journalists from throughout the country. It fosters partnerships with other media institutions such as Panos Southern Africa and MISA in its activities to bring that professional touch to its programmes. The department further takes care of the journalism academic programmes that ZAMCOM recently ventured into.

The IT department of ZAMCOM is one tasked with developments in new media training and production for journalists. The department has two modern computer laboratories that are fully stocked with 30 new computers. It has and keeps upgrading its software to newer versions in order to keep up with the trends of modern fast changing technology. The department ensures that the institute has 24 hours uninterrupted internet connection that is ready for use by our trainees and clients at any time. It also administers the ZAMCOM website that keeps us in face for many of our clients, partners and alumni.

The HIV/AIDS and Gender department is a cross cutting department that collaborates with all the departments to carry out issue based training programmes in the areas of HIV/AIDS and Gender for the media industry. The department initially instituted under the radio department has grown from strength to strength over its five years of existence. The department is tasked with coming up with training to respond to gaps and problems presented by HIV/AIDS and Gender to society and to the media industry. It has over the years worked with local and international partners such as the Kaiser Family Foundation, American International Health Alliance (AIHA), Panos, Gender Links and many local HIV/AIDS NGO’s and the media industry. Top amongst its programme is the ‘Leadership Programme in HIV/AIDS reporting’ that targets editors from around the world to share experiences on what strategies to use in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The department is also mandated to produce programmes on HIV/AIDS and Gender for both radio and TV. It also offers HIV/AIDS consultancy through activities such as HIV/AIDS workplace policies for the media. It also fosters partnership with other organizations working in the same areas of HIV/AIDS and Gender for the media.

ZAMCOM has also put in place a well furnished lodge that offers accommodation and meals to our trainees during their courses. ZAMCOM lodge is a beautiful place that offers a pleasant environment for training, comfort and relaxation. The lodge is continually being upgraded to make sure that the stay of our trainees or clients remains memorable and one to want to have again.

ZAMCOM also has the accounts department that takes care of institutional accountability to the many partners we work with and also the public that we represent.

Over the years, ZAMCOM has undergone a number of changes from being entirely government controlled, to one that is independent. The institute provides professional advice to journalists through programmes of instruction in issue based matters and refresher courses. This has earned the institution credibility and international recognition that is made manifest in the international programmes we have started running. Interest from international partners is ever growing and ZAMCOM stands ready to embrace it and work well with its partners.