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 two different locations. The first one is Manabi, and the second one is the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. The goal of this assignment is to support the municipalities and recycling workers who work in solid waste management. This assignment is also supported by members of the NCBA CLUSA managed USAID RADAR-Ecuador project team, who support the Host Organizations under the USAID RADAR-Ecuador project. The objective will be to:

• Identify the improvements to be made to the municipal solid waste management facilities and processes, whether in waste collection, transportation, waste sorting, and final disposal. 
• Learn about the correct design of the process flow within recycling centers, with the collected material classified at source by citizens. 
• Define the materials and equipment required for the proper functioning of recycling centers. 
• Understand improvements to be implemented in waste management processes, especially the proper management of the recycling center operations. 
• Train under the training-the-trainer approach informal waste pickers, staff and all relevant stakeholders at the municipalities about integral solid waste management. 

Deliverables:

• Process flow chart and process flow description for the proper functioning of the recycling center, including equipment and facilities. 
• Train municipal personnel working throughout the solid waste management system and in the recycling centers. 
• A Trip Report with SMART Recommendations that will help to improve the host organization solid waste management system (waste collection, transportation, waste sorting, and final disposal).
• An outreach activity. Upon return to the United States, the volunteer is asked to share his or her Farmer-to-Farmer Program experience with their community and networks.

• The volunteer should have experience in solid waste management, and recycling centers. 
• A degree in environmental management, solid waste management, or a related field.  
• Background working with municipal solid waste in Latin America is desirable. 
• Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable but not mandatory. Translation facilitation will be provided. 

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. Provide 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.