What's the context and purpose of the role?

The Kazungula cooperative has a membership of over 200 local farmers in the area, founded to help farmers over food security issues. The area of Kazungula has poor soils for growing Zambia's major food crop maize and farmers have diversified their crops to vegetable production, poultry and animal husbandry. You'll advise farmers on varying crops and help to increase and improve livelihoods of the local communities.

What does the role involve?

• Train farmers in various skills related to practical horticulture production.
• Train farmers in the production of high quality value crops such as organic produce and local produce.
• Continue to develop milk production and poultry initiatives.
• Create linkages and markets for the cooperative both locally and for export.
• Train farmers in improved storage, processing and packaging.
• Continue to develop links with the local government and external donors.
• Work to empower the local residents with in the cooperative and the wider community.

What skills, experience and personal qualities are needed for the role?

You'll have a degree or advanced diploma in horticulture, paired with some practical experience of tropical farm management. This will need to include market development and community participatory work. You'll be a strong communicator, with the ability to live and work in a rural placement - you'll need to adapt, and you'll need to be patient. Any experience of working with donors/accessing funds would be advantageous, as would any experience of livelihood management.

And the rest…

Livingstone is named after missionary and explorer David Livingstone and the spectacular Victoria Falls Bridge is only 10km away. Happily, Zambia is encouraging tourism in Livingstone and there is a feeling of change and optimism in the air. There are going to be three other volunteers in the district and an office available to you with the necessary office equipment. To cater for tourist, you'll find plenty of Internet facilities. Your accommodation will have water and electricity and to help you get around VSO will pay for motorbike training for when you arrive in Zambia. There are three seasons: cool and dry form May to August average temperatures 16o C; hot and dry from September to October average temperature 27o C; and rainy between November and April (average temperature 24o C). Zambian traditional cuisine to look out for is nshima (made from maize or sorghum) and is served with a meat or vegetable sauce.

We'll ask you to commit to 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we'll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a local salary, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends. www.vso.org.uk/volunteering

To apply please go to http://www.vso.org.uk/volunteering/stepthree/ and complete our online application form or call us on 0208 780 7500 to request a paper application form.