The National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA) is the primary voice for people who use cooperative businesses to build a better world and a more inclusive economy. NCBA CLUSA provides cross-sector education, technical assistance, and advocacy that helps co-ops thrive. For over 100 years, NCBA CLUSA has sought to advance and protect cooperative enterprises, highlighting the impact that cooperatives have in bettering the lives of individuals and families. In the last 60 years, NCBA CLUSA has worked in over 85 countries in the areas of food security, agricultural development, strengthening of communities and farmer organizations, community-based health, natural resources management, and empowerment of smallholder farmers, women, and youth. We currently work in in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

NCBA CLUSA’s USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer program sends American farmers and agribusiness professionals on 2-4 week agricultural development assignments, promoting sustainable growth and agricultural development worldwide.  Volunteer technical assistance from U.S. farmers, agribusinesses, cooperatives and universities helps smallholder farmers in developing countries improve productivity, access new markets and conserve environmental and natural resources.  During COVID-19 we have shifted to a hybrid volunteer model that affords US volunteers and in-country volunteers the opportunity to continue to provide technical assistance.   Compensation in the form of lodging, transportation, per diem, is provided by NCBA CLUSA.  No salary/consultant fees are paid. For more information visit NCBA CLUSA Farmer-to-Farmer.

NCBA CLUSA is currently seeking qualified Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer candidate (1- US volunteer willing to travel) for the position of Organizational Development Expert to support Cooperativa Agrícola Cafetalera Fuerzas Unidas Limitada (CACFUL) based in San Jose, Honduras.

 CACFUL is a cooperative of small coffee producers located in the village of Buena Vista, municipality of San Jose, Copan. It was founded in October 1999 by 21 coffee producers.  They have not updated their mission, vision, and internal regulations since 2012. There is no strategic plan, nor operational plan in place. Members and staff are not aware of organization´s purpose for every year.  This has made operations difficult for the new Board of Directors and Surveillance Board members who started serving their new positions September 2021.  These individuals’ knowledge of cooperative legislation, governance, cooperativism and administration is very limited. They need the support of an experienced organizational development volunteer to teach them about cooperative management, roles and responsibilities, how to create a mission and vision statement and much more.

Duration: 2 weeks, February- April 2022  

ESSENTIAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Work with members and leadership to assess the current state of CACFUL
• Guide the cooperative to update or improve their mission and vision
• Teach the cooperative how to create a strategic plan and support them updating their strategic plan and activities for the first year.
• Facilitate the review and a better understanding of the main roles and responsibilities of leaders in the cooperative.
• Reinforce leaders by giving trainings in governance and basic cooperativism.
• Design a training plan for the board of directors and surveillance board based on their strategic plan

• Academic background in business administration or business management.
• Work experience and knowledge of the cooperative model, structure, norms, duty distribution and principles needed to strengthen the cooperative model.
• Experience in leadership training
• Available for virtual communications with Host Organization, Staff and Co-volunteer
• US candidate must be legally able to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
• Advanced English language skills; reading, writing, speaking.

All application materials must be submitted in English.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

NCBA CLUSA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, and legally protected characteristics for non-merit factors.