Farmer-to-Farmer Organic Pesticides and Biofertilizers Engineer

  • Contract

Company Description

The National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA) is the trade association for cooperative businesses in the United States and an international development organization. NCBA CLUSA provides cross-sector education, technical assistance, and advocacy that helps co-ops thrive. For nearly 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 100 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 21 countries 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.   For more information visit NCBA CLUSA Farmer-to-Farmer.

Job Description

NCBA CLUSA is currently seeking qualified Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer candidates (either 1- US volunteer willing to travel or 2 volunteers for a hybrid assignment- 1 remote US volunteer and 1- volunteer based in Ecuador ) for the position of Pesticide and Biofertilizer Engineer to support Comité de Participantes de Prima de Comercio Justo Viche, based in Quininde, Ecuador.

Comité de Participantes de Prima de Comercio Justo Viche is a committee of Fair-Trade Organic cacao farmers dedicated to investing in their communities. The committee jointly invests money into inputs for their cacao production to improve the lives of their farmers. The committee also takes on projects dedicated to the community, including a plan to create a small school garden to teach youth about agriculture. Since investments and projects like these are funded by the committee’s profits, they hope to increase their profitability through organic practices.

Currently, the committee’s farmers are certified Fair Trade and organic and they are dedicated to maintaining this status while also being profitable. The farmers want to create organic insecticides and biofertilizers, but previous attempts to create organic biofertilizers in the past were unsuccessful. To increase their yields, these cacao farmers need a volunteer to assist them in the formulation of insecticides and biofertilizers using locally available materials.

Duration: 2 Weeks, January – June 2022

ESSENTIAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

  • Teach participants how to create biofertilizers with local materials to improve soil nutrition for cacao production. 
  • Provide training on organic insecticides formulation as a method for pests and disease control in cocoa plantations. 
  • Analyze the current cacao organic management and provide constructive feedback about improvement opportunities.

Qualifications

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

  • The volunteer should have experience in cacao crop organic management, pest and diseases control, organic fertilization, and creation of biofertilizers and organic pesticides.  
  • Degree in Agriculture Engineering or related majors.  
  • Past work with knowledge facilitation or trainer-to-trainer approach is valuable. 
  • Background working with associations in agriculture is a plus.  
  • 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.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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.