Location: Atlantida, Honduras
Start Date: Jun - Aug 2018 (flexible)
Length of Placement: 12 Months
Language Requirements: Spanish, English
Please submit a Spanish Cover Letter and Statement of Interest
Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents only
The Volunteer’s Role
Live in the capital of Honduras and contribute to the living conditions of rural populations throughout the country!
Our partner organization, Fundación para el Desarrollo Empresarial Rural (Foundation for the Development of Rural Entrepreneurship) or FUNDER, was created to support the development of rural entrepreneurship and improve social inclusion and financial sustainability of families in rural areas, as well as the environmental sustainability of their crops and products.
In your role, you'll get the chance to support FUNDER members and associate organizations such as the Asociación de Productores de Cacao de Honduras (Association of Cacao Producers of Honduras) or APROCACAHO, in obtaining organic certifications as well as fair trade certification marks monitored by Fairtrade International (FLO). In addition, you'll build our partner organization's capacity to successfully sell and market the organic and environmentally friendly products of their members, promote Fair Market Certifications and build on the business management of the cacao producers in Honduras.associate
Under the guiding principles of Fairtrade International and in line with their commitment to the environment and sustainable development, our main objective is to support the cacao producers to strengthen their organizational structure in technical support, organizational structure, communications, leadership and empowerment (gender equality), as well as the importance of the principles of fair and direct trade.
As a volunteer, you will:
- Research Fairtrade International (FLO) certification requirements and advice FUNDER and APROCACAHO in marketing of organic and environmentally-friendly products and how to move forward to obtain these certifications.
- Conduct market research analysis to develop alliances with other organizations at the national and/or local level with similar interests and values.
- Analyse current structures, procedures, capacities of FUNDER and other organization of the cacao production sector and create tools to strengthen their capacities.
- Use diagnostic results elaborated by previous Cuso International volunteers and FUNDER of cacao organizations and implement a work plan using participatory approaches that promote gender equity and social inclusion as part of rural development.
Essential Academic Qualifications
- University degree in business, economics, or marketing (preferably with a focus on agriculture) and/or equivalent experience in a related field.
Essential Professional Background
- Experience or knowledge of rural business development.
- Skilled in market research and/or analysis of internal structure or processes
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
Contact Information
Phone: 613-829-7445
Email: cuso.recruitment at cusointernational.org
