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. 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 70 years, NCBA CLUSA has worked in over 100 countries in the areas of food security, agricultural development, strengthening of communities and farmer organizations, natural resources management, and empowerment of smallholder farmers, women, and youth. We currently work in over 20 countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

NCBA CLUSA’s USAID-sponsored Farmer-to-Farmer program sends American farmers and agribusiness professionals on a 2-week agricultural development assignment, promoting sustainable economic growth and agricultural development worldwide. Volunteer technical assistance from US farmers, agribusinesses, cooperatives, and universities aims to increase the resiliency of smallholder farmers’ businesses by focusing on diversification in production, value addition, and other income-generating activities; climate-smart production and strengthening farmers’ cooperatives and producer organizations (POs), with a cross-cutting emphasis on gender, youth, and social inclusion. 

This Farmer-to-Farmer assignment will be implemented in Pasaje, El Oro in Ecuador. The goal of this assignment is to support the members of the Asociación De Producción Agrícola Orgánica Pasaje (ASOPAOP) who work in organic banana production with Occupational Health and Safety on their farms. The volunter will provide training for member participants to learn:

• The importance of occupational health and safety principles to avoid injuries, work-related illnesses, and overall risks on the farms. 
• To identify and implement preventive strategies to decrease agricultural injuries and illness risks. 
• About safety standards and regulations, their enforcement, safe work behavior and technological or infrastructural improvements needed to ensure the health and safety of workers and visitors. 

The volunteer should have an educational background as industrial engineer, health and safety, experience in health and safety, as well as hazard and risk assessment, employment law, employee well-being, women's inclusion in labor and safety guidelines. Experience working with agricultural associations is valuable. Speaking Spanish is not mandatory. 

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL ALSO HAVE THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to be flexible and available for two week volunteer assignments;
• Desire to promote cross-cultural learning and exchanges through technical assistance;
• Available for virtual communications with Host Organization and Staff;
• U.S. citizen or resident; and
• Advanced English language skills in reading, writing, and speaking.

All application materials must be submitted in English. Compensation in the form of lodging, transportation, and per diem, is provided by NCBA CLUSA.  No salary/consultant fees are paid. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Submit your CV on SmartRecruiter.com or [email protected]. 

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, genetic information, age, and legally protected characteristics for non-merit factors.