 Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) needs your skillsVSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers. Our vision is a world without poverty in which people work together to fulfil their potential. We bring people together to share skills, creativity and learning to build a fairer world. Food Processing Adviser at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, GuyanaWhat's the context and purpose of the role? VSO's work with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MOAA) focuses on improving food security and income levels of disadvantaged households. You'll be part of a multi-disciplinary team of international VSO volunteers working together to support the livelihoods strategies in several villages in the Mabaruma region. You'll be tasked with mentoring two Community Based Volunteers (CBV) as apprentices, teaching your skills while provinding livelihoods support on the ground to disadvantaged people in the villages. Together with the CBV's you'll be working directly with smll-scale businesses processing products derived from cassava, peanuts, cocoa as well as jams and jellies. You'll be focused on improving their product development and quality management whilst also identifying key areas for ensuring the long-term sustainability of these small businesses. What does the role involve? Support existing food processing businesses in the following:
What skills, experience and personal qualities are needed for the role? You'll be educated to degree level in Food Technology and have 5 years' experience working with small or medium scale businesses. You'll be comfortable training others in the techniques of food processing and preservation. A working knowledge of quality management practices for small food processing is desirable. As with all VSO placements, an ability to work with participative methods will help you achieve the goals of your placement. Patience and a positive outlook are essential to succeed in a new and often challenging environment. For this placement a love of water could prove useful as you'll often move around the region by speedboat. This is not a desk job, you'll be out in the fields and the jungle come rain or shine! And the rest Well ask you to commit to 12 - 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, well 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 Applications Please send your CV and short covering letter to: Hannah Gilman Hannah.gilman@vso.org.uk. For further information please visit www.vso.org.uk |
