Agribusiness Training and Rural Extension Specialist - Volunteer Position - Onsite in Costa Rica

Project description

The National Coffee Institute (ICAFE, Instituto del Café de Costa Rica) has requested the support of a Peace Corps Response Volunteer (PCRV) to serve as an Agribusiness Training and Rural Extension Specialist. ICAFE leads the research, transfer and promotion of the brand Costa Rica Coffee and provides technical assistance to small producers and supports the adaptation of plantations to face the effects of climate change. Although the agronomic technological aspects needed for sustainable production have been reasonably well defined by the institution, a fundamental challenge in agribusiness extension is that the producers have not been trained in agribusiness topics, making it difficult for them to keep records about investments made and objectively determine if the business is profitable or should be adjusted. There is a need to support farmers so that they can also become agribusiness producers

The PCRV will create training content, validate the materials in the field with coffee producers and adjust the material so that it is viable and useful for final users. The PCRV will also work with ICAFE technicians and transmit to them the knowledge developed, so that in the future they are empowered with these tools and can become multiplying agents.

Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in Costa Rica together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.

Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree in agribusiness, rural extension, agronomy, business administration or adult education and five years of relevant work experience OR master's degree in one of the above mentioned fields and three years of relevant work experience.
• Two years of experience developing and facilitating training, preferably with audiences with low levels of academic education.
• Knowledge of training methodologies such as experiential learning, adult education, participatory learning and action, and/or similar.
• Experience working with farmers and the agriculture sector.
• Advanced Spanish: some counterparts can communicate proficiently in English, but Spanish will be needed to communicate with other staff and to facilitate trainings to coffee producers who not know English. Spanish will also be needed for daily life interactions (getting to work, buying groceries, developing local relationships, etc.).
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.
  
  

Living conditions

Learn more about the Volunteer experience in Costa Rica: Get detailed information on culture, communications, housing, and health/crime statistics in order to make a well-informed decision about serving.

Medical considerations

Before you apply, please review medical clearance and legal clearance to learn about the process.