Programming and Training Specialist for the Sustainable Agriculture Systems Project

Duties:

• Collaborate with government and NGO officials to identify and develop community and job placements for 20+ agriculture professionals.
• Provide overall administrative support, by complying with reporting requirements, playing a critical role in identifying and preparing communities for working with Volunteers and providing ongoing technical support through regular Volunteer correspondence via phone, email and visits.
• Design training program and materials related to agriculture.
• Facilitate technical and intercultural training in formal and non-formal (including field activities) to North Americans using participatory methodologies
• Provide logistical and budget support for  workshops and trainings throughout  Panama
• Provide year round technical support to North Americans and Panamanians in rural and indigenous communities
• Provide monitoring and evaluation of the technical training program verbally and written.
• Travel 50% in interior visiting volunteers and community and agency counterparts, requiring an ability to drive 4x4 manual transmission on rough roads.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings.
• Contribute to the organization, planning, direction and evaluation of overall program goals and objectives.

Qualifications:

• Educational background in agriculture or related technical field.
• Minimum of two years experience in rural/field agriculture work: Organic agriculture techniques, Panama's traditional crops, soil conservation, horticulture gardens, rice tanks, fish tanks, agro-forestry techniques, coffee and cacao management and agribusiness techniques for small farmers
• Minimum of two years experience in adult education with participatory methodologies.
• Experience in training of trainers in technical agriculture topics strongly preferred and a proven ability to conduct training activities using the related technical terms in English and Spanish
• Experience in teaching methodology for community leaders or decision makers
• Experience in basic principles of curriculum design
• Experience in materials development with a focus on agriculture
• Able to organize, prepare and implement community-based practicum sessions.
• Minimum of three years experience in community-based development work.
• Experience in building partnerships with governmental and non-governmental officials is desirable.
• Experience in administrative responsibilities.
• Experience working or studying in a cross-cultural environment.
• Knowledge about Panama’s history and familiarity with Panama’s ethnic groups and culture. 
• Strong organizational skills.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to lead, motivates, counsel, and advises adults.
• Complete oral and written fluency in Spanish and English languages.
• Computer literate.
• Valid driver’s license; ability to drive 4x4, manual transmission.
• Ability to travel, spending 50% of time working in the “interior”/ rural areas sometimes under harsh conditions.

If you fulfill the requirements, please email your resume in English including phone number and a cover letter to hiring@pa.peacecorps.gov  by October 13.

Applications not fulfilling requirements will not be considered. Position will be filled in January, 2012.

Benefits

• $1,200 to $1,500 per month, health insurance, life insurance, transportation allowance.