| PARTNER NAME: | Ministerio de Economía Familiar, Comunitaria, Cooperativa y Asociativa |
| LOCATION: | Managua, Nicaragua |
| LENGTH OF PLACEMENT: | 7.5 months |
| DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: | Ongoing Note that applications are reviewed as they are received and the placement may be filled prior to the deadline |
| FUNDING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: | Must be Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident |
| LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: | Spanish Level 3-5 To self-assess your level please click here |
ABOUT CUSO INTERNATIONAL
Cuso International is a non-profit development organization that works through volunteers. Each year, we send hundreds of global citizens to work on collaborative development projects in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. We are one of North America’s leading international development organizations that works through volunteers.
ABOUT THE PARTNER
EL Ministerio de Economía Familiar, Comunitaria, Cooperativa y Asociativa (Ministry of Family, Community, Cooperative and Associative Economy) created in 2012, is part of a new integrated model for the development of micro and small urban and rural production. It acknowledges the different capacities of the Nicaraguan families and diverse forms of participation in the national economy. MEFCCA works through agriculture, agro-industry, crafts, commerce and services and from cooperatives, savings and credit groups that conform to the family and community economy.
MEFCCA develops four basic work lines: development of family agriculture; promotion of micro, small and medium agro-industry; development of micro, small and medium enterprise; and fostering the different forms of association including cooperatives as cross-cutting axis of the development and transformation of the country.
THE VOLUNTEER’S ROLE
Overall placement purpose and specific volunteer placement objectives:
Contribute to improve the MEFCCA performance by supporting the implementation of business models that aim to support the commercialization and marketing of women´s small business at the national and international levels.
Specific Objectives:
- Develop a methodological proposal that promotes value chains focused on the MEFCCA strategic lines;
- Develop a strategic program proposal that promotes rural and urban economic entrepreneurship activities focused on the MEFCCA strategic lines;
- Improve the mechanisms of service provision for families, associated entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and other forms of associations.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential requirements
- University degree in agri-business, Business Administration, Agricultural Economy or related field.
- 3-5 years of experience in economic development program and/or project management.
- Knowledge of value chain and entrepreneurship strategies.
- Good writing skills.
- Gender and generational sensitivity.
TRAINING AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Our training and support package covers the costs of being an overseas volunteer, allowing you to enjoy a modest but healthy lifestyle while you volunteer abroad. This includes:
- Attendance at a Cuso International assessment day (candidates must cover the first $150 of the most cost-effective travel expenses and accommodation costs)
- Travel and accommodation costs associated with pre-departure training
- Return airfare and visa/permit (this includes a return flight in the case of a family emergency)
- Coverage for required vaccinations, medications and comprehensive health insurance
- Accommodation while overseas
- A modest living allowance, which varies depending on the country where you are placed
- Quarterly payments to support you in your placement
- Modest support for accompanying partners
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please apply online, quoting referral code NIC0212/0001/0001 and the name of the placement.
