Brief Description:

Location Lanarm district, Laos

Start Date Jul - Sep 2017 (flexible)

Length of Placement 12 Months

Language Requirements English

English Reading: Level 5, Writing: Level 5, Speaking: Level 5

Language Scale: http://www.cusointernational.org/languageratingscale

Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents only

The Volunteer’s Role

The overall purpose of this placement is to support the transformation of the existing smallholder agricultural production group into an agricultural cooperative. As a volunteer, you will work closely with the Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office/ Provincial Agriculture Extension and Cooperative (PAFO/PAEC) to assist farmers for establishment of cooperative groups and help them to build their capacity how to management the cooperative groups. In the meantime, you will provide training of trainers to PAEC staff on cooperative knowledge and skills.

Ultimately you will contribute to:

- Increase food security and agricultural production in local communities

- Improve income security from enterprise development and market linkage

- Build local management and agricultural extension capacities

As a volunteer, you will:

-Develop a training programme on how to form agricultural cooperatives

-Advise PAEC team forming and implementing the agricultural cooperative model

-Strengthen the capacity and knowledge of the new cooperative management committee

-Strengthen the capacity of cooperatives on Gender mainstreaming.

-Identify gender mainstreaming activities and initiatives that directly tackle issues relating to inclusion (people with disabilities, indigenous minority groups, and people living with HIV/AIDS).

Essential Academic Qualifications:

Qualified (Degree/Diploma) in Agricultural Studies, Business Management & Administration or relevant qualification.

Essential Professional Background:

-3+ years' experience in development

-Agricultural and cooperative development and forming skills

-Understanding and experience of cooperative management and scaling-up

-Skill in training and facilitating others to reach development outcomes

Support Package

- Modest monthly living allowance (varies depending country)

- Accommodation while in placement

- Return airfare and visa/work permit costs

- Cost of required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and health insurance

- Pre-departure training and in-country orientation

- Travel and accommodation for reintegration debriefing weekend

- Modest support for accompanying partners and dependents going on placement with you for 12 months or longer

- Access to Employee Assistance Program while in placement and upon return

- Cuso International assessment day (Candidates must cover the first $200 of the most cost-effective travel expenses and all accommodation costs).

- Travel and accommodation for the five-day pre-departure training course and for in-country orientation

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