INTERNSHIPS

• Public Engagement Officer - FILLED - Halifax, NS and Tegucigalpa, Honduras
• Forest Conservation Assistant - FILLED -Halifax, NS and Quito, Ecuador
• Youth Engagement Intern - FILLED - Charlottetown, PEI and Castro, Chile
• Assitant Youth Organizer - FILLED - St. John's, NL and Iquitos, Peru
• Education Program Facilitator - FILLED - Halifax, NS and Los Bancos/Otavalo, Ecuador
• Community Sustainability Officer - FILLED - Halifax, NS and Tegucigalpa, Honduras
• Environment Education and Alternative Technology Specialist - FILLED - Charlottetown, PEI and Zaragoza, La Libertad, El Salvador
• Quality Control Support Specialist - FILLED - Grand Pré, NS and Riobamba, Ecuador

Public Engagement Officer - Halifax, NS and Tegucigalpa, Honduras

ACIC is seeking a Public Engagement Officer to work in Halifax with ACIC and with our partner in Honduras, Madre Tierra.

HOST ORGANISATIONS
ACIC is a coalition of individuals, organizations, and institutions working in the field of international development and cooperation. ACIC supports its members in through collective leadership, networking, information, training and coordination, and represents their interests when dealing with government and others. ACIC also takes a leadership role in engaging Atlantic Canadians around issues relating to international development, global sustainability, and social justice. Through our public engagement work, ACIC strives to give Atlantic Canadians the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to become active global citizens.

Madre Tierra is an affiliate of Friends of the Earth, Honduras. They are a multidisciplinary voluntary organization that works towards supporting the self-development and improvement of living conditions among marginalized communities in Honduras, focusing on aspects related to health, environment and human rights.

JOB DESCRIPTION

In Canada
The young professional will be involved with two key projects at ACIC.  He or she will be expected to:

• Collaborate with a project planning team to coordinate a global issues youth symposium.  Intern will be responsible for identifying facilitators, developing the agenda, and youth outreach; and
• Work with ACIC staff on a youth engagement project that connects aboriginal youth in Atlantic Canada with indigenous youth overseas through music.  

Overseas
During the overseas component, the intern will assist with the coordination and overall management of the Friends of the Earth International conference. A key component of the intern’s work will be concerned with the transfer of skills and in building capacity through the strengthening of a civil society organization. The intern will also support and assist with the implementation of established projects in relation to the improved food and water security, reforestation and the conservation of biodiversity in rural communities in Honduras. This will be achieved through the following activities:

• Networking among environmental and community organizations;
• Collaborating with the above groups and the international committee to develop the key logistical framework for the upcoming conference;
• Building the capacity of counterpart in host organization;
• Conducting outreach concerning deforestation issues in Honduras, particularly with youth; and,
• Developing public education materials related to the above topics with local communities in different areas of Honduras.

ELIGIBILITY

The intern must:

• Be aged 30 or under;
• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant able to work in Canada;
• Be currently under or unemployed;
• Have not previously worked outside Canada in a paid, career-related position;
• Be a graduate of a college or university; and,
• Have not previously participated in another Internship Program funded by the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES).

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for the Madre Tierra internship will have excellent organizational and time management skills while at the same time being flexible and creative. Other desired qualifications include:

• Experience in leading interactive workshops.
• Excellent organisational capabilities and keen attention to detail.
• Self-starter who is able to act independently, with little supervision.
• Experience working with community groups.
• Strong capability to trouble-shoot and find creative solutions to unexpected problems.
• Self-motivated while at the same time patient when working with others.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Fluent Spanish speaker.
• Environmental or ecological background.
• Excellent computer skills, including Word processing, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, and web page management.

DETAILS
Salary: Stipend of $225 per week

Other benefits include:

• International travel to overseas posting;
• Medical insurance and visas;
• Spanish language training;
• Cultural awareness training;
• Job search skills; and
• Other potential training courses as opportunities.

Duration:
9 months – 4 months in Canada with ACIC and 5 months in Honduras with Madre Tierra

Location:
Halifax, Nova Scotia and Tegucigalpa, Honduras

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications due by: May 12, 2008

Interviews will take place mid-May in Halifax or by phone.

Anticipated start date: June 2, 2008

Applicants should electronically provide a cover letter, highlighting their qualifications for this position, along with a resume and 3 references.

Please send applications by email to:
Carolyn Whiteway, Project Officer
projects@acic-caci.org

We thank all candidates for their application. Unfortunately, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Please note that program approval is conditional upon the signature of a contribution agreement by CIDA.

Forest Conservation Assistant - Halifax, NS and Quito, Ecuador

ACIC's member the Ecology Action Centre (EAC) is seeking a Forest Conservation Assistant to work in Halifax with the EAC and with their partner in Ecuador, FURARE.

HOST ORGANISATIONS
The Ecology Action Centre (EAC) has been an advocate for the environment since 1971. EAC’s Standing Tall Campaign: Forests for Life promotes environmentally responsible forestry to maintain and restore the Maritime’s native Acadian Forest.  Standing Tall focuses on reducing clearcutting through pragmatic, gradual, effective changes to forestry policy and practices.  The campaign works with many different stakeholders, including rural woodlot owners, value-added enterprises, hunters and fishermen, naturalists, tourism operators, and other stakeholders.  Since 2005, Standing Tall has partnered with ACIC and Fundación Rainforest Rescue (FURARE), an Ecuadorian rainforest protection NGO. 

Fundacion Rainforest Rescue (FURARE) helps rural Ecuadoreans and indigenous communities to restore and sustainably harvest the rainforest.  Its main areas of focus are the unique forests of the Tropical Andes and the coastal Chocó.  The partnership provides internships to young women and men interested in developing skills and experience in stakeholder relations, policy development, and hands-on program delivery in forest science, conservation and restoration.  

JOB DESCRIPTION

In Canada
The intern will assist the Standing Tall campaign co-ordinator of the Ecology Action Centre. The intern will help with:The intern will assist the Standing Tall: Forests for Life campaign co-ordinators of the Ecology Action Centre. Standing Tall is currently preparing for public consultations toward the development of a new Natural Resources Strategy for the province, and the intern will be involved in that initiative.  Duties may include:

• Background research into forestry regulations, ecology, policies, and economic issues;
• Data assembly and analysis;
• Outreach, including liaison with woodlot owners and community stakeholders;
• Development of fact sheets and other communications materials; and
• The organisation of workshops and other special events.

The intern will also attend meetings of the Ecology Action Centre's Wilderness Committee, Voluntary Planning hearings and other relevant forums.

Overseas
The intern will be primarily based in the community of Nuevo Mundo in the Ecuadorian cloud forest, with an initial orientation at FURARE’s head office in Quito.  Nuevo Mundo has long been involved in Analog Forestry and is developing the infrastructure to support eco-tourism. The intern will work with the community to further eco-tourism development.  This will be accomplished through:

• Monitoring of the ecological and tourism attributes of the area;
• Research and monitoring for endangered species protection;
• Facilitating eco-tourism educational programs and developing programs related to sustainable forestry, endangered species awareness and local biodiversity (focusing on orchids);
• Trail building and signage
• Assisting with the development of resource materials; and
• Supporting community initiatives in marketing local products and services.

ELIGIBILITY

The intern must:

• Be aged 30 or under;
• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant able to work in Canada;
• Be currently under or unemployed;
• Have not previously worked outside Canada in a paid, career-related position;
• Be a graduate of a college or university; and,
• Have not previously participated in another Internship Program funded by the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES).

QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a high degree of professionalism, self-direction, and adaptability.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Undergraduate or college degree; preferred area of specialization in one or more of biology, ecology, forestry, environmental studies, environmental economics, or planning
• Strong background in Spanish
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to write clearly and succinctly
• Excellent research skills using a wide variety of sources
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Strong interest in and knowledge of eco-tourism and forest protection and management issues
• Experience with developing educational programs and materials
• Some familiarity with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick forest policy and forestry practices
• Motivated, conscientious and self-starting
• Ability to work collaboratively and integrate into a small community
• Standard computer skills: MS Word, Excel, Power Point, e-mail, internet
• Some ability in French an asset
• Ability to work independently & adapt to rural developing world living standards
• Knowledge of birds or orchids an asset.

DETAILS
Salary: Stipend of $225 per week

Other benefits include:

• International travel to overseas posting;
• Medical insurance and visas;
• Spanish language training;
• Cultural awareness training;
• Job search skills; and
• Other potential training courses as opportunities.

Duration:
9 months – 4 months in Canada with EAC and 5 months in Ecuador with FURARE

Location:
Halifax, Nova Scotia and Nuevo Mundo, Ecuador

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications due by: May 5, 2008

Interviews will take place in in Halifax or by phone.

Anticipated start date: TBD

Applicants should provide by email a cover letter highlighting their qualifications for this position, along with a resume and 3 references.

Please send applications to:
Jamie Simpson, Forest Conservation Coordinator
forests@ecologyaction.ca

We thank all candidates for their application. Unfortunately, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Please note that program approval is conditional upon the signature of a contribution agreement by CIDA.

Youth Engagement Intern - Charlottetown, PEI and Castro, Chile

We are seeking a Youth Engagement Intern to work in Charlottetown for 14 weeks with the Institute of Island Studies and the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI and in Castro (Chiloe), Chile for 22 weeks with the Williche Council of Chiefs.

HOST ORGANISATIONS
The Institute of Island Studies at the University of PEI has a four-fold mandate:

1. to explore and interpret for Islanders all things that define our islandness: ecology, economy, history, culture, literature etc.;
2. to perform research that informs and promotes progressive public policy on PEI;
3. to serve as a bridge between academe and the wider island society; and
4. to facilitate, advance and conduct comparative studies with small islands throughout the world, in order to provide examples to the world of islands, to learn from them and to collaborate with them.

The Williche Council of Chiefs is the traditional organization of Chiloé; its history goes back to the year 1600, when a group of Williche chiefs rose in arms to face the invaders. Law 19,253, recognizes their traditional system and its territorial scope. BMCh's mandate is to foster partnerships for sustainable forest management; to build community capacity for participation in forest management; to facilitate sustainable economic diversification to reduce pressure on forest lands; to undertake environmental education and to fund community projects related to improved sustainability; and to provide microcredit for small business development to the poorest people of Chiloe.

JOB DESCRIPTION

In Canada
Under supervision of IIS director Dr Irene Novaczek the intern will:

• Prepare for work in Chiloe through research on Williche culture and socio-economic conditions;
• Through research and work with community partners, develop an understanding of an appropriate approach to youth engagement development for small islands and indigenous communities; and
• Upon returning from Chiloe, create a report on her/his overseas experience and present this in a public forum, which PEI indigenous people, especially youth, among others, will be encouraged to attend.

Overseas
With guidance from the Williche Council of Chiefs, Corporacion Agroecologia, and the Intercultural Management Program of Arcis-Patagonia University (UAPA), the intern will:

• Assess what role the Williche youth play in their communities and at what level they are engaged in cultural practices.    
• Document and evaluate existing efforts for the development of youth engagement in Chiloe communities, especially regarding the areas of rural development, micro enterprises, preservation of traditional knowledge, tourism, and natural resources.
• Under the direction of the WCC, become familiar with local schools and document the program the WCC has currently undertaken with the Minister of Education to promote intercultural awareness in the classrooms of Chiloe.  

ELIGIBILITY

The intern must:

• Be aged 30 or under;
• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant able to work in Canada;
• Be currently under or unemployed;
• Have not previously worked outside Canada in a paid, career-related position;
• Be a graduate of a college or university; and,
• Have not previously participated in another Internship Program funded by the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES).

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have:

• Fluency in Spanish- must be able to speak, write, and understand
• Strong capacity to work independently with minimal supervision
• Library research skills and participatory action research skills suitable for field work
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience in working with youth in urban/rural communities, and/or training in a related field highly desirable 
• Willingness and capacity to live on a modest budget, and to share local food and lodging in villages that may lack electricity
• Good health is essential, consistent with a posting that may involve traveling in small boats and on foot to remote rural communities, over rough terrain
• Experience working with or living in an aboriginal community highly desirable
• Experience volunteering or working with non-profit/volunteer organization desirable

DETAILS
Salary: Stipend of $225 per week

Other benefits include:

• International travel to overseas posting;
• Medical insurance and visas;
• Spanish language training;
• Cultural awareness training;
• Job search skills; and
• Other potential training courses as opportunities.

Duration:
9 months – 4 months in Canada with IIS and 5 months in Chile with WCC

Location:
Charlottetown, PEI and Castro, Chile

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications due by: May 21, 2008

Interviews will take place in Charlottetown or by phone in late May or early June.

Anticipated start date: June 16, 2008

Applicants should electronically provide a cover letter, highlighting their qualifications for this position, along with a resume and 3 references.

Please send applications by email to:
Irené Novaczek
inovaczek@upei.ca

We thank all candidates for their application. Unfortunately, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Please note that program approval is conditional upon the signature of a contribution agreement by CIDA.

Assistant Youth Organizer - St. John's, NL and Iquitos, Peru

ACIC is seeking an Assistant Youth Organizer to work in Newfoundland-Labrador with CUSO and their partner in Peru, KALLPA Asociación.  

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Using information collected through participatory based diagnostic workshops and meetings, the youth and adult committees of El Porvenir and Pampachica are forming a plan of action to build a healthier and stronger community in the future.  The promotion of a Healthy Community in the barrios of Iquitos has two main phases:

• Development of healthy communities through improved health practices and resources in the home, school and community.  The work will include changing personal and community habits and infrastructure.
• Creation of a theatre and art program for youth; to build basic life skills and abilities, allowing them to be stronger voices and active citizens within their community and government.

The Intern will work for 22 weeks in Peru before returning to Newfoundland-Labrador to complete their work in the Atlantic. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

In Canada
In St, John's, NL the Intern will work with CUSO staff and volunteers and a local theatre group to raise awareness of CUSO’s Youth, Social and Economic Inclusion program through presence at community fairs, performing street theatre, liaising with the media and networking with NGOs across Newfoundland-Labrador. 

Overseas
In Iquitos, Peru, youth will be empowered to become active citizens through opportunities for better income and employment and to participate in their community and society.  The intern will work alongside a CUSO Cooperant whose main objective is to work with the youth through theatare and art, as well as to educate the Iquitos Kallpa team in theatre and animation techniques.  The intern will accompany the CUSO COoperant and the rest of the team to workshops, rehearsals and community activities helping with preparations of rehearsals, events and materials.
The internship will also focus on developing a training plan for future programming, including:

• To assist in the creation of an education program; create a healthier concept and knowledge of the environment and its affects on health and community sustainability. 
• To design a participative study-based training plan for young people, including socio-economic animation and theatre techniques.
• To plan out, organize and implement the training plan along with the KALLPA team at Iquitos, specifically, building capacities and citizen awareness, incorporating socio-cultural animation techniques.
• To evaluate the experience.

ELIGIBILITY

The intern must:

• Be aged 30 or under;
• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant able to work in Canada;
• Be currently under or unemployed;
• Have not previously worked outside Canada in a paid, career-related position;
• Be a graduate of a college or university; and,
• Have not previously participated in another Internship Program funded by the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES).

QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a high degree of professionalism, commitment self-direction, and adaptability.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Degree or Diploma in Social Science/Earth Sciences or equivalent
• Previous work with youth
• Theatre and art experience
• Experience and knowledge of environment and health issues
• Overseas experience is an asset
• Interest and ability to learn Spanish
• Flexible, open-minded. Adaptable, patient
• Ability to work well on their own

DETAILS
Salary: Stipend of $225 per week

Other benefits include:

• International travel to overseas posting;
• Medical insurance and visas;
• Cultural awareness training;
• Spanish language training;
• Job search skills; and
• Other potential training courses as opportunities.

Duration:
9 months – 4 months in Canada with CUSO and 5 months in Peru with KALLPA

Location:
St. John’s, NL and Iquitos, Peru 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications due by: May 15th, 2008

Interviews will take place in Charlottetown or by phone.

Anticipated start date: June 16, 2008

Applicants should electronically provide a cover letter, highlighting their qualifications for this position, along with a resume and 3 references.

Please send applications by email to:
Marion White, CUSO Atlantic Outreach
marian.white@cuso.ca

We thank all candidates for their application. Unfortunately, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Please note that program approval is conditional upon the signature of a contribution agreement by CIDA.

Education Program Facilitator - Halifax NS and Los Bancos/Otavalo, Ecuador

ACIC's member the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter’s Education Program is seeking an Education Program Facilitator  to work in Halifax with the Sierra Club and with their partner in Ecuador, the Mindo Cloudforest Foundation (MCF).

HOST ORGANISATION
The underlying premise of the Sierra Club of Canada – Atlantic Chapter’s Environmental Education Program is to provide children and youth the opportunity to first, connect with the environment and second, learn how to actively care for it by becoming environmental stewards. Students who participate in our programs are actively engaged in learning about key ecological information and processes - to understand the interconnection of humans and the environment and our impacts on it. We further explore this by introducing them to specific tools so that even young people can be empowered to take action towards both preventing as well as solving environmental issues and problems.  All of our programs are designed to be fun, exciting, educational, balanced, engaging, and based on solid facts and science. By providing school-based environmental education programs we are able to achieve our mission of building environmental awareness and empowering stewardship and action among Atlantic Canadians, particularly children and youth who will be inheriting this Earth. To date, we have brought the environment to the classroom for the students, however we would now like to take our programs a step further and bring the students into the environment through a field educational program.

JOB DESCRIPTION

In Canada
The intern will explore Nova Scotia curriculum links and forest/coastal issues in order to develop an outdor field trip education program for elementary youth. The intern will attend local consultation forums, and seek advice from government and non-governmental agencies to develop a program based upon the local need of Nova Scotians. Program development will involve in-field program activities, field guide packages and field manuals for teachers and students - reflecting both the social uses and bio-physical characteristics of the Acadian forest and Nova Scotia coastline. The intern may be required to meet with teachers and students to explore early program ideas, and to recieve feedback on the final product. The Sierra Club of Canada - Atlantic Canada Chapter has 5 years of experience developing educational programs and resources, and therefore, the intern will have many resources and support available to them,

Overseas
In Ecuador, the intern will work directly with the MCF (Mindo Cloudforest Foundation) and local collaborators to help develop community awareness material regarding water quality and the importance of reforestry in priority watersheds.  These programs will be linked to the significance of the eco-system diversity and the prevalence of bird species and their conservation in the local area. 

ELIGIBILITY

The intern must:

• Be aged 30 or under;
• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant able to work in Canada;
• Be currently under or unemployed;
• Have not previously worked outside Canada in a paid, career-related position;
• Be a graduate of a college or university; and,
• Have not previously participated in another Internship Program funded by the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES).

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have:

• Intermediate proficiencies in Spanish, both written and oral;
• Working knowledge of environmental issues at large;
• A keen interest in education, and experience working with youth;
• An undergraduate degree in environmental studies/biology/geography/education or another related field;
• Must be a self starter who can complete tasks independently, work with minimal supervision, and be resourceful;
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, interpersonal skills and be energetic; and
• Must have an interest and commitment to work abroad and in the environment. 

DETAILS
Salary: Stipend of $225 per week

Other benefits include:

• International travel to overseas posting;
• Medical insurance and visas;
• Cultural awareness training;
• Spanish language training;
• Job search skills; and
• Other potential training courses as opportunities.

Duration:
9 months – 4 months in Canada with Sierra Club –Atlantic Chapter and 5 months in Ecuador with MCF.

Location:
Halifax, Nova Scotia and Los Bancos-Milpe and Otavalo, Ecuador

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications due by: May 8, 2008

Interviews will take place in May in Halifax or by phone.

Anticipated start date: June 2008

Applicants should electronically provide a cover letter, highlighting their qualifications for this position, along with a resume and 3 references.

Please send applications by email to:
Lacia Kinnear, Education Program Director
laciak@sierraclub.ca

We thank all candidates for their application. Unfortunately, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Please note that program approval is conditional upon the signature of a contribution agreement by CIDA.

Community Sustainability Officer - Halifax, NS and Tegucigalpa, Honduras

ACIC member, the Nova Scotia Environmental Network (NSEN), is seeking a Community Sustainability Officer to work in Halifax with NSEN and with their partner in Honduras, COHAPAZ.

HOST ORGANISATIONS
The Nova Scotia Environmental Network (NSEN) was founded in 1991 and is a registered non-profit organization under the Society Act of Nova Scotia. The network is comprised of non-governmental environmental and health organizations whose common purpose is the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment and the pursuit of a sustainable future for Nova Scotia. NSEN is a provincial affiliate of the Canadian Environmental Network. NSEN is governed by a Board of Directors who are representatives of our member organizations. More information about NSEN can be found at: www.nsen.ca

COHAPAZ is an organization based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, with affiliates in and around the capital city. Major activities include a food security project that focuses on capacity building among women through leadership and skills training, production and marketing of organic foods and other products to local markets, and the generation of strategies to build healthy communities.

JOB DESCRIPTION

In Canada
The candidate will work with staff and the steering committee of the NSEN to undertake the following tasks:

• Assist with the Community Sustainability Project in Nova Scotia;
• Help organize capacity-building workshop and events on sustainability;
• Facilitate communication among community partners; and
• Prepare resource materials and articles related to sustainability work and research.

Overseas
The intern will be involved with assisting the organization in building the capacity of community leaders and youth through:

• Providing support for local small scale development activities (including community and region appropriate technologies (kitchen gardens, pilas, water plumbing, etc);
• Developing resources and materials connecting environmental sustainability, healthy living and self-sufficiency;
• Organising participatory workshops with youth and developing their leadership skills.  Training and transferring knowledge to a base of strong, motivated and interested youth in various communities who will eventually run the workshops themselves.  Ensuring to incorporate art, culture and participative learning techniques; and
• Building upon work and curriculum set out by COHAPAZ’s Executive Director to make the ‘Ecological School’ participatory and mobile reality.   Researching and utilizing qualitative indicators for project monitoring and evaluation.

ELIGIBILITY

The intern must:

• Be aged 30 or under;
• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant able to work in Canada;
• Be currently under or unemployed;
• Have not previously worked outside Canada in a paid, career-related position;
• Be a graduate of a college or university; and,
• Have not previously participated in another Internship Program funded by the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES).

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have:

• High degree of self-initiative,
• Excellent organizational skills
• Enthusiasm and commitment to sustainability issues,
• Environmental holistic mentality/approach,
• Flexibility and adaptability to various diverse situations,
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (English and Spanish abilities in writing, speaking, presenting, motivating, reading and analyzing),
• Experience working for a non-governmental organization
• Excellent computer skills

DETAILS
Salary: Stipend of $225 per week

Other benefits include:

• International travel to overseas posting;
• Medical insurance and visas;
• Spanish language training;
• Cultural awareness training;
• Job search skills; and
• Other potential training courses as opportunities.

Duration:
9 months – 4 months in Canada with NSEN and 5 months in Honduras with COHAPAZ

Location:
Halifax, Nova Scotia and Tegucigalpa, Honduras

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications due by: May 12, 2008

Interviews will take place in Halifax or by phone the week of May 19, 2008.

Anticipated start date: June 16, 2008

Applicants should electronically provide a cover letter, highlighting their qualifications for this position, along with a resume and 3 references.

Please send applications by email to:
Tamara Lorincz, Executive Director
nsen@cen-rce.org

We thank all candidates for their application. Unfortunately, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Please note that program approval is conditional upon the signature of a contribution agreement by CIDA.

Environment Education and Alternative Technology Specialist - Charlottetown, PEI and Zaragoza, La Libertad, El Salvador

ACIC’s member, Earth Action, is seeking an Environment Education and Alternative Technology Specialist to work in PEI and with their overseas partner Asociacion Comunitaria Unida para el Agua y la Agricultura (ACUC) in El Salvador.

HOST ORGANISATIONS
Earth Action is a non-profit environmental activist organization based in Prince Edward Island.  Main areas of work include industrial agriculture (especially agricultural pesticides), oil and gas exploration on PEI and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, GMOs, corporate control/public relations industry, wildlands protection, and groundwater contamination.  Organized around the deep ecological philosophy of life, Earth Action attempts to shift human consciousness towards a biocentric viewpoint through their practical work.

Asociacion Comunitaria Unida para el Agua y la Agricultura (ACUA) in El Salvador is involved in two projects with which the intern will be assisting:

1. A solar cooking project in partnership with Solar Household Energy (Washington, DC).  This is a micro-credit project that provides rural women with the opportunity to obtain a solar cooking pot.  The objectives of the project are to alleviate environmental stress through the reduction of gas and wood use for cooking as well as to improve health conditions of rural women through the reduction of cooking with wood.  This project also aims to empower rural women through organization and ownership of accessible technology and reduce the economic burden of purchasing gas and/or wood.
2. An eco-agricultural centre in partnership with Universidad Polytecnico de Madrid and Caja Madrid.  This project includes the construction of a eco-agricultural centre which will be the base for capacity building for rural farmers.  This project embraces alternative energy and construction as well as organic agriculture and conservation.

JOB DESCRIPTION

In Canada
In PEI, the intern will work with Earth Action/CUSO in:

• Linking local and international movements working protection of water, land and air
• Public engagement on global environment issues
• Assisting local volunteers with ongoing projects
• Promoting global citizenship at various summer events on PEI

Overseas

ELIGIBILITY

The intern must:

• Be aged 30 or under;
• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant able to work in Canada;
• Be currently under or unemployed;
• Have not previously worked outside Canada in a paid, career-related position;
• Be a graduate of a college or university; and,
• Have not previously participated in another Internship Program funded by the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES).

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have:

• A working knowledge of Spanish (or be willing to participate in language training both in Canada and in El Salvador)
• A background in environmental sciences and/or humanities such as sociology or development studies
• The intern must be passionate about environmental issues and have an interest in grassroots development and capacity building
• Experience in an NGO setting is also an asset
• Specific skills that would be an asset:
  • Background in Water Studies (Hydrology - with a preference to coastal zones)
  • Advanced knowledge of: - ARC Hydro
  • Use of AR GIS
  • AR MAP

DETAILS
Salary: Stipend of $225 per week

Other benefits include:

• International travel to overseas posting;
• Medical insurance and visas;
• Cultural awareness training;
• Spanish language training;
• Job search skills; and
• Other potential training courses as opportunities.

Duration:
9 months – 4 months in Canada with Earth Action and CUSO and 5 months in El Salvador with ACUA.

Location:
Charlottetown, PEI and Zaragoza, La Libertad, El Salvador

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications due by: May 20, 2008

Interviews will take place in Charlottetown or by phone.

Anticipated start date: June 2nd , 2008

Applicants should electronically provide a cover letter, highlighting their qualifications for this position, along with a resume and 3 references.

Please send applications by email to:
Sharon Labchuk
slabchuk@isn.net

We thank all candidates for their application. Unfortunately, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Please note that program approval is conditional upon the signature of a contribution agreement by CIDA.

Quality Control Support Specialist - Grand Pré, NS and Riobamba, Ecuador

ACIC's member JUDES is seeking a Quality Control Support Specialist to work in Nova Scotia and with their partner in Ecuador, Jambi Kiwa.

HOST ORGANISATIONS
JUDES (the Just Us! Development and Education Society) was established in 2006 as a not-for-profit organization committed to raising public awareness about the social and environmental issues relating to international development and the benefits of Fair Trade.

JUDES uses a values-based approach to implement our projects and activities, which fall into two key areas: working to increase the understanding and connections between producers and consumers and creating resources and tools to support individuals and organizations in living justly and lightly on our planet.

Jambi Kiwa is a certified fair trade and organic co-operative – producing, processing, distributing and commercializing medicinal and aromatic plants. Four hundred families belong to this member-owned co-operative of largely Andean small farmers, 70% of whom are Andean women.

Jambi Kiwa has received a loan from Just Us! Coffee Roasters to be repaid in stock (boxes of herbal teas) for the purchase of a tea bagging and boxing machine. This machine will allow the cooperative to expand.  Jambi Kiwa is working to improve its quality protocols to ensure that their products are acceptable for export standards, building on past experience and efforts.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The intern will be assigned to the Jambi Kiwa manufacturing facility in Riobamba, Chimborazo, Ecuador and will have the responsibility of supporting this cooperative’s efforts to add value to its dried and milled herbal & medicinal plants that are being exported to Europe and North America, as well as being sold nationally and in Latin America. The intern will be expected to train and transfer their knowledge to one of the Jambi Kiwa employees.

While in Canada, the intern will work closely with JUDES to share information and stories gathered in Ecuador with Canadians and support educational activities in strengthening the ties between producers and consumers and the social, environmental, and economic benefits of Fair Trade. 

Job duties include:

Quality Control

• In preparation for the visit, develop principles and initial protocols to assist Jambi Kiwa in improving quality control and evaluation
• Provide support to Jambi Kiwa through monitoring the processing (harvest, drying, milling, blending and packaging of teas) to ensure quality control (hygiene, flavour, consistency)
• Develop policy and protocols manual and training program for a quality control system
• Train and transfer knowledge to counterpart at Jambi Kiwa

Packaging & Preparation

• Coordinate communication and facilitate the production of appropriate tea packaging that meets the requirements of the Canadian importer for the marketing of teas in Canada

Evaluation

• Participate in developing an evaluation process to evaluate the impacts of the internship in assisting Jambi Kiwa and other internship goals.

Public Engagement

• Develop opportunities and educational activities specifically relating to the Jambi Kiwa experience upon return to Canada

ELIGIBILITY

The intern must:

• Be aged 30 or under;
• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant able to work in Canada;
• Be currently under or unemployed;
• Have not previously worked outside Canada in a paid, career-related position;
• Be a graduate of a college or university; and,
• Have not previously participated in another Internship Program funded by the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES).

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have:

• Natural sciences or engineering background is preferable
• Spanish speaker, intermediate level minimum (will be offered Spanish upgrade opportunities in Canada)
• Ability to work cooperatively & sensitively in an intercultural environment, particularly with Indigenous peoples (demonstrated experience is an asset)
• Clear communication skills
• Problem-solver
• Committed to gender and social equity
• Environmentally responsible
• Factory work experience an asset
• Training or education experience an asset

DETAILS
Salary: Stipend of $225 per week

Other benefits include:

• International travel to overseas posting;
• Medical insurance and visas;
• Spanish language training;
• Cultural awareness training;
• Job search skills; and
• Other potential training courses as opportunities.

Duration:
9 months – 4 months in Canada with JUDES and 5 months in Ecuador.

Location:
Grand Pré, Nova Scotia and Riobamba, Ecuador

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications due by: Monday, May 14, 2008 by 5 pm AST

Interviews will take place between May14-21, 2008 in Halifax or by phone.

Anticipated start date: May 26, 2008

Applicants should electronically provide a cover letter, highlighting their qualifications for this position, along with a resume and 3 references.

Please send applications by email to:

Satya Ramen
Development Coordinator, JUDES
Email: info@judesfairtrade.ca
Cdn Organization website: www.judesfairtrade.ca
Ecuador Organization website:  www.jambikiwa.org

No phone calls, please. We thank all candidates for their application. Unfortunately, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Please note that program approval is conditional upon the signature of a contribution agreement by CIDA.