TCTP: Sustainable Agriculture

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Application Process
Endorsement Procedures
Eligibility
Others

Application Process

How do I send my form to ANGOC?

Please refer to the relevant section on Procedures for Application in the course brochure. You must send ANGOC an electronic version of your application form and curriculum vitae by email.

Do I really have to send the form to ANGOC by email? Can?t I just print the form and write my application by hand?

It is ideal that you send the files to us electronically, since this will allow us to process your applications faster. If electronic access is not possible or difficult for you, we are willing to accept applications via post. However, we are not responsible for any delays or losses that may result in the mail.

It is highly recommended that you submit to ANGOC by email and wait for your application to be acknowledged (this is not a guarantee of admission!).

Where should I send my documents?

You should send your documents in two ways. First, email the ANGOC Secretariat at angoctctpsa@philonline.com and make sure that your message is acknowledged. Second, and as importantly, you must send 3 copies of your application form, along with the other requirements, to the official channel of the sending country, who must in turn endorse it to the Philippine DFA through the Philippine Embassy in your country and/or through the Embassy of your country in the Philippines.

These two processes ensure that ANGOC can process and review your application while it is still being passed on from one diplomatic office to the next.

My email application bounced. What should I do?

Only in case of technical difficulties such as the one indicated above, kindly email to angoc@angoc.ngo.ph.

How long will it take before I hear the result of my application?

We try our best to process your application as soon as we can, but often it is not possible to arrive at a decision until all the requirements are fulfilled. Moreover, candidates in the past have encountered delays especially with securing the necessary endorsement from the official channels in their countries or with missing documents. Finally, the screening process takes place when the Selection Committee holds its meetings.

How will I be informed of the result?

Officially, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) conveys the success of your application to your country?s designated official channel through the Embassy of the Philippines and/or through your country?s Embassy in the Philippines. For example, if you are an applicant from Bangladesh, the Philippine DFA will communicate your acceptance into the training program either through the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka, or alternatively, through the Embassy of Bangladesh in the Philippines.

But what if there is no Philippine Embassy in my country?

Should there be no Philippine Embassy in your country, or should your country not have a resident Embassy in the Philippines, the process will be coursed through the non-resident Embassy nearest you.

Will I be notified if my application is rejected?

Yes, you will be sent a letter indicating that your application has been unsuccessful.

What if the diplomatic process of conveying the results takes long? I need adequate time to prepare for the Program if I am accepted.

We are aware that the diplomatic process of informing participants of the results can take some time. What the ANGOC Secretariat does, therefore, is to notify you informally that you have been accepted, whether conditionally or unconditionally, but that you must still receive formal notice from the official diplomatic channel. Without this formal notice, you will have difficulty obtaining your Philippine visa.

Endorsement Procedures

Do I need to submit the endorsement from my government?s official channel with my application form?

Eventually you will have to, but immediately it is not as necessary as your application form that you send to ANGOC. We understand that getting the endorsement can eat up a considerable amount of your time. Submit your application therefore to the ANGOC Secretariat, and as soon as you receive your endorsement, course it through the proper diplomatic channels. Ensure that you act fast on getting your endorsement.

Nevertheless, we must stress that those who have endorsements together with their application form, whose credentials are favorable are significantly preferred and will have an edge over those with no endorsements. Remember that places are very limited, and we are seeking to achieve a balance of two participants per country. If we are to choose between two candidates from the same country with equal credentials, one with an endorsement already while the other is still waiting, we will prefer the one who has complete requirements. So please do not wait until the last minute to get your government endorsement; it will most probably consume much of your time and energy.

NGOs are commonly not endorsed by my government; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in my country says it is not the agency responsible for endorsements. What do I do?

Together with the Philippine DFA, we are trying to be more flexible with government endorsements. Based on our experience last year, the alternatives below have been found acceptable. We will try to improve this list should more alternatives crop up. In the meantime, you should keep corresponding with us if this is problematic for you.

INDIA

We will accept an endorsement from your State Government.

NEPAL

We will accept a non-objection statement from your government.

Is it really impossible for NGOs to be endorsed in some countries?

ANGOC will help you with your application, but regarding endorsement, we can only give advice. If you are finding it extremely difficult and hopeless to get endorsed, we may suggest that you get in touch with the JICA representative in your own country; your country?s resident Embassy in the Philippines (since they are equally capable and recognized Offices for granting you Endorsement); ANGOC alumni from last year?s Agrarian Reform program; the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Technical Cooperation Council (only to ask if certain alternatives are acceptable to them). You may also ask other NGO workers who have previously been able to secure endorsements. Do not lose hope, because we want NGOs to be well represented in the training program.

Why must I be endorsed by my government in the first place?

The Third Country Training Program is a bilateral program between the Governments of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Philippines. Since the highest form of communication between two countries (your country and the Philippines, which is the host country) is between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (or designated official channel), this is a requirement with which we must comply.

Eligibility

What are the qualifications for participation in the training program?

Please refer to the relevant section in the Program brochure.

What must be my level of proficiency in English?

You must have an excellent command of the English language. We cannot emphasize this enough, as this is more for your own benefit than it is for ours. We have found that there is a strong correlation between proficiency in English and performance in the program.

Most of the time, the ANGOC Project Officer calls preferred applicants on the telephone with regard to certain problems. Oftentimes, the conversations are indicative of the applicant?s level of English, and we use this for our assessments.

What if I take my English exams or certification after I have submitted my application?

This is possible, but bear in mind that English proficiency is a crucial factor for your application to the program. We will prioritize those applicants whose level of English is already advanced. Only in rare circumstances will we consider those who are still to improve their English; and even then, we will be requesting for concrete evidence of your proficiency.

Do I need to belong to an organization to apply?

Yes, you must be in an organization where you can and will readily apply the concepts and principles gained from the course. Employment or membership in an organization, with the attendant endorsement from the head of staff, gives us more confidence of this. Consequently, your application is not judged on your personal achievements alone; rather, we also factor in your organization?s potential to promote sustainable agriculture.

Is it possible for me to apply if I do not belong to the specified age bracket?

Candidates are ideally between the age of 30 and 45 for eligibility in the program. We are not legalistically strict and do in fact make rare exceptions for truly promising applicants who are under or over-aged by a maximum of one year, but who are otherwise very suitable.

Can I apply even if I have no previous experience in SA?

Part of the strength of your application is derived from previous experience in the field of Sustainable Agriculture. We will nonetheless consider your application if your experience in SA is limited, but are in the position in your organization and in your career to promote SA as a viable option for poor farmers. This may imply that you are presently working in an NGO network with SA as its main advocacy, are a policy maker who can influence the mainstreaming of SA, or others.

Others

How competitive are the applications?

Well, there are 22 slots open to participants from 11 countries. 2 are already reserved for Filipinos. We are hoping for a good mix of Southeast and South Asian participants, men and women, government agencies and non-government agencies. This is to bring a diversity of perspectives and experiences on SA to the Training proper.

I still have some more questions. Whom do I contact?

Please email your inquiries to: tctpsa@philonline.com

Copyright 2005. Web Design by Wes Platon.


		FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) Application Process Endorsement Procedures Eligibility Others Application Process How do I send my form to ANGOC? Please refer to the relevant section on Procedures for Application in the course brochure. You must send ANGOC an electronic version of your application form and curriculum vitae by email. Do I really have to send the form to ANGOC by email? Can?t I just print the form and write my application by hand? It is ideal that you send the files to us electronically, since this will allow us to process your applications faster. If electronic access is not possible or difficult for you, we are willing to accept applications via post. However, we are not responsible for any delays or losses that may result in the mail. It is highly recommended that you submit to ANGOC by email and wait for your application to be acknowledged (this is not a guarantee of admission!). Where should I send my documents? You should send your documents in two ways. First, email the ANGOC Secretariat at angoctctpsa@philonline.com and make sure that your message is acknowledged. Second, and as importantly, you must send 3 copies of your application form, along with the other requirements, to the official channel of the sending country, who must in turn endorse it to the Philippine DFA through the Philippine Embassy in your country and/or through the Embassy of your country in the Philippines. These two processes ensure that ANGOC can process and review your application while it is still being passed on from one diplomatic office to the next. My email application bounced. What should I do? Only in case of technical difficulties such as the one indicated above, kindly email to angoc@angoc.ngo.ph. How long will it take before I hear the result of my application? We try our best to process your application as soon as we can, but often it is not possible to arrive at a decision until all the requirements are fulfilled. Moreover, candidates in the past have encountered delays especially with securing the necessary endorsement from the official channels in their countries or with missing documents. Finally, the screening process takes place when the Selection Committee holds its meetings. How will I be informed of the result? Officially, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) conveys the success of your application to your country?s designated official channel through the Embassy of the Philippines and/or through your country?s Embassy in the Philippines. For example, if you are an applicant from Bangladesh, the Philippine DFA will communicate your acceptance into the training program either through the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka, or alternatively, through the Embassy of Bangladesh in the Philippines. But what if there is no Philippine Embassy in my country? Should there be no Philippine Embassy in your country, or should your country not have a resident Embassy in the Philippines, the process will be coursed through the non-resident Embassy nearest you. Will I be notified if my application is rejected? Yes, you will be sent a letter indicating that your application has been unsuccessful. What if the diplomatic process of conveying the results takes long? I need adequate time to prepare for the Program if I am accepted. We are aware that the diplomatic process of informing participants of the results can take some time. What the ANGOC Secretariat does, therefore, is to notify you informally that you have been accepted, whether conditionally or unconditionally, but that you must still receive formal notice from the official diplomatic channel. Without this formal notice, you will have difficulty obtaining your Philippine visa. Endorsement Procedures Do I need to submit the endorsement from my government?s official channel with my application form? Eventually you will have to, but immediately it is not as necessary as your application form that you send to ANGOC. We understand that getting the endorsement can eat up a considerable amount of your time. Submit your application therefore to the ANGOC Secretariat, and as soon as you receive your endorsement, course it through the proper diplomatic channels. Ensure that you act fast on getting your endorsement. Nevertheless, we must stress that those who have endorsements together with their application form, whose credentials are favorable are significantly preferred and will have an edge over those with no endorsements. Remember that places are very limited, and we are seeking to achieve a balance of two participants per country. If we are to choose between two candidates from the same country with equal credentials, one with an endorsement already while the other is still waiting, we will prefer the one who has complete requirements. So please do not wait until the last minute to get your government endorsement; it will most probably consume much of your time and energy. NGOs are commonly not endorsed by my government; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in my country says it is not the agency responsible for endorsements. What do I do? Together with the Philippine DFA, we are trying to be more flexible with government endorsements. Based on our experience last year, the alternatives below have been found acceptable. We will try to improve this list should more alternatives crop up. In the meantime, you should keep corresponding with us if this is problematic for you. INDIA We will accept an endorsement from your State Government. NEPAL We will accept a non-objection statement from your government. Is it really impossible for NGOs to be endorsed in some countries? ANGOC will help you with your application, but regarding endorsement, we can only give advice. If you are finding it extremely difficult and hopeless to get endorsed, we may suggest that you get in touch with the JICA representative in your own country; your country?s resident Embassy in the Philippines (since they are equally capable and recognized Offices for granting you Endorsement); ANGOC alumni from last year?s Agrarian Reform program; the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Technical Cooperation Council (only to ask if certain alternatives are acceptable to them). You may also ask other NGO workers who have previously been able to secure endorsements. Do not lose hope, because we want NGOs to be well represented in the training program. Why must I be endorsed by my government in the first place? The Third Country Training Program is a bilateral program between the Governments of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Philippines. Since the highest form of communication between two countries (your country and the Philippines, which is the host country) is between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (or designated official channel), this is a requirement with which we must comply. Eligibility What are the qualifications for participation in the training program? Please refer to the relevant section in the Program brochure. What must be my level of proficiency in English? You must have an excellent command of the English language. We cannot emphasize this enough, as this is more for your own benefit than it is for ours. We have found that there is a strong correlation between proficiency in English and performance in the program. Most of the time, the ANGOC Project Officer calls preferred applicants on the telephone with regard to certain problems. Oftentimes, the conversations are indicative of the applicant?s level of English, and we use this for our assessments. What if I take my English exams or certification after I have submitted my application? This is possible, but bear in mind that English proficiency is a crucial factor for your application to the program. We will prioritize those applicants whose level of English is already advanced. Only in rare circumstances will we consider those who are still to improve their English; and even then, we will be requesting for concrete evidence of your proficiency. Do I need to belong to an organization to apply? Yes, you must be in an organization where you can and will readily apply the concepts and principles gained from the course. Employment or membership in an organization, with the attendant endorsement from the head of staff, gives us more confidence of this. Consequently, your application is not judged on your personal achievements alone; rather, we also factor in your organization?s potential to promote sustainable agriculture. Is it possible for me to apply if I do not belong to the specified age bracket? Candidates are ideally between the age of 30 and 45 for eligibility in the program. We are not legalistically strict and do in fact make rare exceptions for truly promising applicants who are under or over-aged by a maximum of one year, but who are otherwise very suitable. Can I apply even if I have no previous experience in SA? Part of the strength of your application is derived from previous experience in the field of Sustainable Agriculture. We will nonetheless consider your application if your experience in SA is limited, but are in the position in your organization and in your career to promote SA as a viable option for poor farmers. This may imply that you are presently working in an NGO network with SA as its main advocacy, are a policy maker who can influence the mainstreaming of SA, or others. Others How competitive are the applications? Well, there are 22 slots open to participants from 11 countries. 2 are already reserved for Filipinos. We are hoping for a good mix of Southeast and South Asian participants, men and women, government agencies and non-government agencies. This is to bring a diversity of perspectives and experiences on SA to the Training proper. I still have some more questions. Whom do I contact? Please email your inquiries to: tctpsa@philonline.com

Copyright 2005. Web Design by Wes Platon.