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 (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 Coffee Productivity Management to support Cooperativa Cafetalera Reservas Biológicas Santa Teresa Ocotepeque Limitada (COCREBISTOL) based in San Francisco del Valle, Honduras

COCREBISTOL is an environmental and socially focused cooperative that dedicates its labor to produce Fairtrade and organic dry parchment coffee to export to Belgium and Germany. Coffee leaf rust disease has affected the production of COCREBISTOL producers.  The introduction of new coffee varieties that fight climate change, coffee rust disease and increase productivity, have been a challenge to implement for  COCREBISTOL producers. The host organization does not have the means to conduct productivity tests and producers have a lack of knowledge in soil adaptation, tissues management, pest control, farm diversification and shadow control, plant renovation, fertilization, and correct pesticides application and management.

COCREBISTOL would like to increase the productivity of their farms by training their employees and members on these practices to increase coffee farms productivity. With the training COCREBISTOL wishes to create an internal productivity management plan to build the capacity to provide technical assistant to their members so they can ensure the good agricultural practice to increase the productivity. 

Duration:        3 weeks August - December 2022

ESSENTIAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: 

• Review  the coffee varieties in the country and their specifications related to productivity, growing conditions, attributes in grain quality, attributes in cupping, market opportunity, pest resistant, etc. 
• Field training on agricultural practices to increase productivity 
• Guide host organization in creating a productivity plan that includes diagnoses of farm varieties, specifications on farm varieties, recommendations, action plans to recover in-farm productivity and optimize coffee productivity. 

• Work experience in coffee production  
• Experience in coffee farms management and productivity increase projects 
• Knowledge in coffee varieties  
• Experience working with producers 
• Ability to transmit knowledge to others 
• 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.