Location - Uganda

The internship will be based in Kampala at the UCA head office, with extensive travel to the field in Northern Uganda.

Partner

The Uganda Cooperative Alliance (UCA) was formed in 1961 by Co-operative unions to act as the apex body of the Uganda Co-operative Movement. It is the umbrella organization of cooperatives in Uganda mandated to carry out advocacy and representation of the Uganda co-operatives, providing education and training and mobilization of resources for the development of the co-operatives. The members
of UCA include the following: Rural Producer Organizations (RPOs), Area Cooperative Enterprises (ACEs), Cooperative Unions, Farmer groups and associations not yet registered as cooperatives, savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs).

The Project

The IFAPI III goal is to provide a holistic suite of community controlled co-operative services that improve peoples’ well being through an increase in productivity and production, income, and the provision of financial services. It will address both food security and private sector development initiatives. Being firmly placed in the private sector, co-operative development helps to promote local private enterprises. Development of farmer and marketing co-operatives increases the capacity of smallholder farmers through improved agriculture technology which increases productivity and reduces loss through value added post harvest activities. Strengthening local savings and credit unions and linking them to farmer and marketing co-operatives provides access to financial resources that are both sustainable and responsive to local needs. The IFAPI III project is undertaking to incorporate climate change mitigation activities focusing on promoting efficient use of natural fuel, forestry and conservation farming.

Activities

The Climate change & Environment Officer will report directly to the IFAPI Project Co-ordinator and will work closely with the IFAPI Head of Production and Marketing. The will continue the work that has been done to date by the current intern, focusing on scaling up, monitoring and evaluation and implementing recommendations. They will generally be responsible for mainstreaming environmental conservation in project activities as well as implementing activities that mitigate climate change in project areas. Specifically, the Climate change & Environment officer will carry out the following:

1. Scale up activities on rain/weather monitoring in conjunction with the co-operatives and the Department of Meteorology
2. Follow-up on results of the first and second cycles of Conservation Farming demonstration plots
3. Review and assess success and challenges of first selling cycle of tree nurseries, and make recommendations for modifications and improvements (e.g. Introduce fruit trees and bamboo seeds in following tree nursery cycle, as well as other desired products based on previous cycle results, work with National Forestry Authority (NFA) to ensure quality seeds are sourced to tree nurseries)
4. Capacity development of co-op extension staff in use of tools, monitoring, and other identified capacity needs related to environment and climate change mitigation
5. Integrate youth and women into activities that mitigate climate change for income generation
6. Review success of energy efficient stoves program after 1 year after initial implementation
7. Provide technical support to the co-op extension staff in promoting conservation farming, tree planting and energy saving stoves
8. Assist in developing relevant training materials and ensure their use
9. Assist coops to identify support agencies or organizations and initiate linkages with cooperatives
10. Assist CCA in end of project data collection, and other activities where needed

Qualifications

The Change & Environment Officer will need to have the following:

Skills:

1. Degree (BSc or MSc) with focus on agroforestry, environmental science, or related field
2. Some experience in project management and a general understanding of the project management cycle, from development to implementation, review and recommendations
3. Experience in research methodology
4. Experience in quantitative and qualitative data dissemination, analysis, and monitoring and evaluation

Knowledge:

1. Knowledge in community participation methodologies
2. Causes, effects and consequences of Climate Change on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers (or in developing nations)
3. Understanding of co-operatives or member-based business enterprises
4. Knowledge of the impacts of simple environmental technologies and practices that improve the income and livelihoods of smallholder farmers (e.g. Energy efficient rural cookstoves, conservation farming practices, weather network monitoring) is an asset

Successful candidate can exhibit many additional qualities:

1. Ability to communicate and effectively interact with people of different cultures
2. Can work in dynamic situations and is able to be flexible and adapt to change.
3. Takes initiative, set goals, and manage time independently, while seeking guidance and direction from your manager
4. Creative and innovative approach to project design and implementation
5. Works well individually and within a team environment
6. Motivated and driven to initiate and complete projects with appropriate follows up and monitoring
7. Organized and detail-oriented

IYIP Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the international Youth Internship Program, an intern must:

1. Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident legally entitled to work in Canada
2. Be a post-secondary graduate
3. Be out of school

Deadline for application: Thursday May 15, 2014. Only successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.