Monday, July 31, 2023

3 tools to help you check IMEI and avoid buying a blocked or blacklisted phone

   

I have been there several times and learned a valuable lesson. 

I thought I was going to save some money by buying it from Craigslist or OfferUp. I bought a phone listed as unlocked, only to find out later that it was blacklisted, even though I asked almost all the right questions. 

Before buying a phone (or tablet such as an iPad or from any Android manufacturer), check the price, but be careful because these days scammers try to price their items as close to the real price as possible to calm the suspicion that "if it is too good to be true, it probably is."

Ask the seller questions. If they do not like to respond to your questions, stay away too. If they respond, ask for IMEI, carrier, owned or financed, original receipt (and warranty if possible), date of purchase, etc. Check for consistency in the answers. If there's any hint that stories are changing, it's a red flag.

Being proficient in English is not a measure of how reputable a person is. 

Do not buy a store-demo phone or tablet.

Find the nearest carrier store to which the phone is locked and ask if they can assist with checking and validating the authenticity of a phone before buying. Ask the seller to meet at the carrier store. If they refuse, don't buy the phone.

Check the IMEI. Ask the seller to tell you what the IMEI is and why you are asking. If the IMEI doesn't pass as clean, don't buy it. If it passes, let the seller know that you will be performing a factory reset (this may wipe any fake IMEI and return it to its original, and scammers don't like it). 

Ask the carrier to check if the phone is blacklisted, financed, or reported for any issue, including "stolen." Some carriers will not tell you this information as it is personal and may not be legally permitted.

If the carrier is cooperative, ask them to deactivate the IMEI under the seller's account; that way, it prevents the seller from later reporting the phone as stolen and asking for a replacement or claiming insurance, which will cause the IMEI to be blacklisted. 

Meeting the person and inserting a SIM card to try it out is not proof that the phone is in good working condition. It may be blocked later. 

Get IMEI number (if they don't know how to get the IMEI, ask them to dial *#06# on the phone, not the IMEI from the box). Here are some websites you can use to check the IMEI prior to purchasing:

  1. Swappa - https://swappa.com/imei
  2. IMEIPro https://www.imeipro.info/
  3. IMEICheck.net https://imeicheck.net/#imei

Officer, New Business Development USG

   
The New Business Development Officer will coordinate and lead complex proposal efforts across EGPAF’s country-based programs, at the global level, and support selected strategic and long-term initiatives across the New Business Development Team. This role will be instrumental in maintaining and growing EGPAF’s programs. They will support proposal design and management and will directly support growth of EGPAF’s organizational strategy. They will work as a key member of the New Business Development team to track, prepare, and submit concept papers and proposals for US Government (USAID and CDC) funding opportunities.

Title: Officer, New Business Development USG

Department: New Business Development

Location: Washington, DC or Remote

Reports To: Manager, New Business Development

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Matching Grant Caseworker

   
The Caseworker provides trauma-informed services to refugees and other qualified immigrants to support a positive resettlement experience. The Caseworker works closely with clients on the Matching Grant program, which supports newly arrived clients in achieving self-sufficiency in the United States through early employment. The Caseworker will also work closely and collaboratively with other IRC colleagues and external parties to meet individual client needs and preferences utilizing a broad range of financial, medical, social, vocational, and other services and resources in accordance with client eligibility and Matching Grant program requirements.

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: USD 19.00 - 22.60 Hourly

Location: Missoula, MT USA

Read more and apply at https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/43503?c=rescue

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Officer

   
The MEAL Officer provides critical guidance and instruction throughout the process of program development by ensuring MEAL activities capture program impact. The MEAL Officer ensures IOCC programs contain the appropriate tools and systems to evaluate the program outcomes during and at the end of the program implementation. Programs will be monitored and evaluated to ensure program goals and objectives are met. Programs will be evaluated to identify learning and best practices from IOCC programs. The MEAL Officer provides guidance for the use of appropriate monitoring systems and program and project evaluations throughout the activity, which may take place in areas of conflict.

The MEAL Officer advises the Director of Strategic Services and Deputy Director of Programs or Director of Programs on evaluation and learning priorities and is the central repository of demonstrative examples of IOCC’s global technical capacities and lessons learned. The officer also administers and maintains the databases of recommendations that have emerged from evaluations and follow-up activity.

Read more and apply at https://reliefweb.int/job/3984044/monitoring-evaluation-accountability-learning-meal-officer

MSI: Chief of Party (COP), USAID ADD

   
The Chief of Party (COP) will provide strategic direction and leadership for the activity. The COP will create and manage a dynamic team of technical experts to support and promote USAID’s digital strategy. They will coordinate work across a broad consortium of partners, staff, and consultants. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in supporting digital technology initiatives to improve democratic practices and accountability worldwide. They will have experience working with local stakeholders such as local civil society organizations, private sector, watchdogs and when possible, with local government ministries to improve access to information and democratic transparency. The COP will be the main point of contact for USAID staff and will liaise directly with the activity COR on technical issues. The position will largely be U.S. based although some travel may be required. The position is contingent upon award.

Qualifications: 
  • Bachelor’s Degree with minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience managing development activities (USAID-funded activities preferred), including donor funded grants and contracts or have a Master’s degree and/or a Ph.D. and twelve (12) years of experience managing development activities (USAID-funded activities preferred), including donor funded grants and contracts.
  • Proven experience building and managing dynamic, flexible teams, preferably on global projects.
  • Demonstrated ability to build relationships across technical sectors including technology, cybersecurity and digitalization, in both the public and private sectors, to improve democratic practices worldwide.
  • Experience in and knowledge of one or more technology industries, including telecommunications, cybersecurity, digital governance/democracy, digital finance, data ecosystems, and emerging technologies, in a public or private sector capacity.
  • Ability to travel globally.
Read more and apply at https://tetratech.referrals.selectminds.com/msi/jobs/chief-of-party-cop-usaid-advancing-digital-democracy-add-washington-d-c-35348

MSI: Grants & Contracts Manager, USAID ADD

   
The Grants & Contracts Manager will be responsible for day-to-day oversight and administration of the Digital Foundations grant pool. The Grants & Contracts Manager will lead strategizing, learning and process improvement for grant and contract design, competition and award management. They will be responsible for ensuring compliance with USAID standards, policies and procedures, and grants management system use. Reports directly to the Chief of Party (COP). The position will largely be U.S. based although some travel may be required. The position is contingent upon award.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree.
  • At least five (5) years of experience managing development activities, including contracts and buy-ins.
  • Experience creating and managing sub-awards and grants.
  • Experience working with USAID-funded contracts and grants, and mastery of USAID regulations and compliance requirements for contracts and grants, required.
  • At least two (2) years of experience working with non-governmental organizations managing grants implemented in developing countries.
  • Proven experience in customer service, client relations and relationship management.
Read more and apply at: https://tetratech.referrals.selectminds.com/msi/jobs/grants-contracts-manager-usaid-advancing-digital-democracy-add-washington-d-c-35366

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Natural Helper

   
The Natural Helper will assist the Youth Caseworker in providing services to immigrant children and their families. The Natural Helper will coordinate services to ensure that the children are living in a safe environment and integrating well into their new community. The Natural Helper will assist the caseworker in connecting them to appropriate services and resources. Travel within Miami-Dade County. This is a part time position.

Employment Type: Part-Time

Compensation: USD 16.40 - 18.90 Hourly

Location: Miami, FL USA

Read more and apply at https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/43505?c=rescue