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 1- remote US volunteer  and 1- volunteer based in Honduras for a hybrid assignment) qualified Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer candidates for the position of Pruning and Weaving  Research Analyst to support Instituto Hondureño del Café (IHCAFE) based in La Fe, Honduras. 

IHCAFE is an institution comprised of organizations (AHPROCAFE, ANACAFE, La Central and UNIOCOOP) that promote socio-economic profitability of Honduran coffee growers. This is achieved by promoting new coffee varieties and training farmers, using avant-garde technologies that are friendly to the environment, implementing efficient promotion programs and viable diversification as income alternatives. 
Based on coffee research studies, productivity of coffee begins to decline after the fourth year of harvest. Usually, coffee farmers replant new crops to keep productivity volumes, however this can be replaced with pruning and weaving techniques. IHCAFE proposed a project to validate these techniques (pruning and weaving) and now needs an expert to analyze and interpret the results to confirm efficacy. After analyzing the impact, the selected candidate(s) would work with the technicians to interpret the results, identify improvements and share the new techniques with the farmers.

Duration: 3 weeks, February- March 2022    
 

ESSENTIAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• The volunteer along the participants will analyze and interpret the data collected from 12 research trials, to measure the impact of the pruning and weaving techniques.  
• Provide a short report or feedback on the quality of the data collected by IHCAFE about the pruning and weaving techniques implemented.  
• The volunteer will teach the participants techniques to improve their analytical capacities and their ability to share this information with farmers, to increase the rate of technique adoption.
   

• An advanced degree in agronomics or plant physiology, biometrician, or related fields.
• Expert in coffee pruning and weaving techniques
• Several years of experience analyzing data to measure impact 
• Knowledge transfer with farmers and technical staff
• 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 are desired

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.