Farmer-to-Farmer Quality Assurance Specialist

The National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA) is the primary voice for people who use cooperative businesses to build a better world and a more inclusive economy. NCBA CLUSA provides cross-sector education, technical assistance, and advocacy that helps co-ops thrive. For over 100 years, NCBA CLUSA has sought to advance and protect cooperative enterprises, highlighting the impact that cooperatives have in bettering the lives of individuals and families. In the last 60 years, NCBA CLUSA has worked in over 85 countries in the areas of food security, agricultural development, strengthening of communities and farmer organizations, community-based health, natural resources management, and empowerment of smallholder farmers, women, and youth. We currently work in in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

NCBA CLUSA’s USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer program sends American farmers and agribusiness professionals on 2-4 week agricultural development assignments, promoting sustainable growth and agricultural development worldwide.  Volunteer technical assistance from U.S. farmers, agribusinesses, cooperatives and universities helps smallholder farmers in developing countries improve productivity, access new markets and conserve environmental and natural resources.  During COVID-19 we have shifted to a hybrid volunteer model that affords US volunteers and in-country volunteers the opportunity to continue to provide technical assistance.   Compensation in the form of lodging, transportation, per diem, is provided by NCBA CLUSA.  No salary/consultant fees are paid. For more information visit NCBA CLUSA Farmer-to-Farmer.

NCBA CLUSA is currently seeking volunteers (either 1- US volunteer willing to travel or 2 volunteers for a hybrid assignment- 1 remote US volunteer and 1- volunteer based in Honduras) qualified Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer candidates for the position of Quality Assurance Specialist to support Cafés Finos de Corquín (CAFICO) based in  Corquín, Honduras.

CAFICO was established at the beginning of 2009, with 35 coffee members and producers.  The company's approach is to generate a greater opportunity for producers to obtain a fair price, the proper use of resources, and respect for social and human rights along the value chain (from the production to the final consumer).

CAFICO monitors the coffee production, develops post-harvest activities, and processes micro batches with specific differentiators. These micro batches need specific standard operations for crop management, harvesting, transportation, etc. There are no standard protocols for quality and monitoring, nor specific flowcharts with written procedures for those products, explaining the necessary traceability documentation, parameters, or quality requirements.  The ideal volunteer candidate will work with their certification and production team to help document and create a process manual, and advise them on monitoring; parameters, quality requirements and documentation.

Duration: 3 weeks, December 2021- February 2022      

ESSENTIAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Along with staff, analyze flowcharts, procedures, and quality protocols of the differentiated coffees
• Advise the enterprise about the standardization process for coffees
• Assist employees in developing an operating procedure manual with flowcharts, specific process descriptions, quality parameters, and necessary documentation for every differentiated coffee.
• Suggest some tools or software for monitoring the process, traceability, quality parameters and documentation.
• Along with the enterprise, define the check list for documentation control

• Degree in Agriculture, Quality Control, or Industrial engineer
• Experience in managing and monitoring production or/and processing
• Experience documenting processes and procedures
• Experience in quality control
• Knowledge of certification protocols is preferred but not required
• Knowledge in coffee processing is preferred but not required
• Available for virtual communications with Host Organization, Staff and Co-volunteer
• US candidate must be legally able to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
• Advanced English language skills; reading, writing, speaking.

All application materials must be submitted in English.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

NCBA CLUSA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, and legally protected characteristics for non-merit factors.