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 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.  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 1 in-person US volunteer or 1 virtual US volunteer qualified Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer candidates for the position of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Expert to support Unión de Organizaciones Ocotepecanas de café (UNIOCAFE) based in Ocotepeque, Honduras.

UNIOCAFE is an organization founded in 2009 and legally established in 2012.  It has 16 smaller cooperatives and producer groups that supply coffee. UNIOCAFE works to empower youth, promote gender equity, and address climate change challenges. They aim to improve the quality of life for their members by providing services such as assessments and technical assistance in coffee management, agricultural loans, and product commercialization

UNIOCAFE is facing two common problems, increasing prices in agricultural inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers, and the effects of climate change affecting production. The temperature rises along with incidence of rain which reduces flowering and productivity, increases erosion, damages the plants, compromises fruit ripening, and increases the presence of fungal diseases. UNIOCAFE is expecting to learn about how climate change can affect their coffee farms, emergent technologies to measure and monitor climate and pest incidence in their specific regions, and actions & recommendations for the results obtained.

Duration: 2 weeks, August – December 2022

ESSENTIAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Train in methodologies of data collection (temperature, rainfall, wind, light, pest incidence, etc.) economically viable for members to collect and analyze in order to develop an adaptation or mitigation plan against climate change
Recommend combined mitigation and adaptation practices depending on different weather scenarios to reduce climate change and pest impact. 

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:
Agricultural or Environmental Engineering with sustainable focus 
Experience working with coffee crops
Proven experience in developing mitigation and adaptation plans 
Experience in integrated pest management in coffee 
Experience in data collection methodologies 
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.