What's the context and purpose of the role?

Tajikistan is a poor country, where most of the people livebelow the poverty line, particularly in rural areas. Over the last decade there has been a growth in peanut production, with many farmers now competing to find a good market for their products. Whilst providing technical advice on peanut butter production, you'll help top introduce a new product into the Tajikistan and neighbouring countries. By improving the processing of peanuts and the marketing of the end product, you'll support farmers in diversifying their output. In addition, peanut butter is rich in calories and nutrients so by introducing it into the local diet, it will help to increasethe nutrient content of food for children and adults, especially in winter when pany peopl living in poverty struggle to achieve a balanced diet.

What does the role involve?

• Providing recommendations on new technology required for peanut butter production.
• Training colleagues in the technical aspects of peanut butter production.
• Providing advice on ingredients, packaging and supplements in relation to peanut butter.
• Advise colleagues on storage and shelf life of peanut butter.

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

You'll be a qualified food technologist with a relevant degree in this or a related subject. You'll have gained significant experience in the commercial production of nut butters (ideally peanut) and have experience of supply chain management. You'll need good marketing skills, which you'll use to work with colleagues to increase the market for peanut butter. You'll also have a very good understanding of the processing equipment required in peanut butter manufacturing, as you'll be making recommendations with regards to any new technology that needs to be adopted.

You'll be able to show initiative and work with little supervision. Finally the ability to work effectively with limited resources and retain a positive and flexible approach is a must for VSO volunteers, as is a good sense of humour!

And the rest...

You'll be living and working in Khojand, the second largest town in Tajikistan and the capital of Sugd oblast' in the North of the country. The town sits on the banks of the river Syr Darya surrounded by mountains in the green Ferghana Valley. Khojand is home to one of the ancient civilizations of central Asia and beside Samarqand and Buchara is one of the major culture centers of Tajik people. The climate is very hot in summer, cold in winter with temperate spring and summer months. There are several VSO volunteers being placed in Khojand, which will provide a social network for new arrivals. The city is very open to foreign guests and you'll find Tajik people welcoming and sociable on the whole. The city has plenty of teahouses, cafes and bars and is home to one of the most celebrated bazaars in the region where affordable and fresh produced can be found.

This is a short-term volunteering position for 4-6 weeks. In return, well provide you with invaluable training before your placement, a local salary, return flights, accommodation and insurance. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and we'll invite you to stay involved with us through campaigning, development awareness raising and fundraising.

Candidates should apply online at http://www.vso.org.uk/volunteer/ or call 020 8780 7500 for more information.