Description

Sustainable Agriculture Volunteers introduce improved technologies to maximize crop production, diversify farming, encourage appropriate agricultural practices, and create new opportunities for farmers. Through training and capacity building, Peace Corps Tanzania's Sustainable Agriculture project promotes food security, sustainable livelihoods, and increased resilience. Volunteers mobilize community leaders, identify community counterparts and work with community-based organizations interested in learning new and improved ways of farming. They support awareness raising and play the role of catalyst. Examples of Volunteer activities include:

• Train farmers to employ new crop cultivation technologies and management practices to improve crop production and food security.
• Educate farmers on sustainable soil and water conservation technologies and management practices.
• Train farmers on basic business skills to facilitate a process to identify, develop, and implement agriculture-based income generating activities (IGAs).
• Train farmers on technologies and management practices to conserve, store, and/or transform agricultural products to add value.
• Train farmers on improved small animal husbandry technologies and management practices.
• Teach women of reproductive age and/or key household decision makers the importance of consuming and cooking nutrient-rich foods.
• Train farmers on agroforestry tree production and system design technologies and management practices.

Volunteers work in partnership with community leaders and community members. Using this approach, Volunteers help to assess the local knowledge, resources and needs, collaboratively determine the best and most appropriate interventions, and select sustainable projects that they can undertake during the time frame of their two-year service.Working with a community counterpart, Volunteers also have the opportunity to undertake secondary projects that address other community needs. Examples include: teaching English or science at local primary schools, promoting healthy behaviors through sports for boys and girls, improving school or health center facilities, supporting rain water catchment projects, and rehabilitating latrines. While much of the work will take place during weekday daytime hours, some activities, particularly in the community, may take place at night or on weekends. Key dates such as the International Malaria Day and World AIDS day are opportunities to implement social-mobilization activities, and many Volunteers work with their village government to prepare a community-wide awareness event. Of great importance in Peace Corps community development work is Volunteer integration in the community, being present in the community, developing relationships with neighbors and key community members such as teachers and religious leaders, and building trust.Having a laptop is important as it enables Volunteers to complete required reporting assignments offline, and uploading them at a later date. While Volunteers may also complete assignments through local internet cafes or other access points, having a laptop will alleviate challenges of connectivity and facilitate access to technical resources for service as an Agriculture Volunteer and for secondary projects. Unfortunately, as is the case across the world, this also comes with the risk of potential damage and theft of your laptop.Peace Corps Tanzania promotes gender awareness and girls' education and empowerment. Volunteers receive training on gender challenges in Tanzania and have the opportunity to implement gender-related activities that are contextually appropriate, to promote gender-equitable norms and increase girls' sense of agency. As part of their work, Volunteers will also report on these activities and results achieved.Request Type117 Agriculture and Forestry ExtensionPostTanzaniaRequired SkillsQualified candidates will have a degree in Agriculture, or an Environment or Agriculture related field. Work experience in agriculture is highly desirable (e.g. backyard or community garden, urban gardening). Eligible degrees include the following:

• Bachelor's of Science/Bachelor's of Arts in an agriculture or environment-related field; OR
• Bachelor's of Science/Bachelor's of Arts in any field with agriculture or environment-related certification; OR
• Bachelor's of Science/Bachelor's of Arts in any field with a minor or equivalent (15 semester/22 quarter hours) in an agriculture or environment-related field

Start Date30-Jan-2021

Desired Skills

• 6 months practical experience growing vegetables or fruit or working in a nursery
• 1 year experience in large-scale commercial or family-run business including vegetable gardening, nursery work/management, tree planting, tree care, urban forestry, animal husbandry production

Living ConditionsTanzania is a large country located in East Africa and known for Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti Wildlife National Park. It has a diverse geography, ranging from hot and dry in the central part of the country, hot and humid in the coastal areas, and highland and mountainous areas in the South and North which have cool to cold temperatures depending on the season.During the hottest months (November through February) temperatures in the lowlands range from 90-105 degrees, and 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit in the highlands. During the cold season (June through August), temperatures range from 60-75 degrees in the lowlands and coast, and from 40-50 degrees in the highlands. There are short rains in November or December, and longer rains between March and May.Volunteers are placed primarily in underserved and undeveloped rural communities. These sites are generally within a few hours of small to mid-size district towns, with banks, a variety of shops, markets, local restaurants and guesthouses. Travel to Dar es Salaam can take anywhere from five hours to three days by road. Volunteers generally use public buses as a main mode of transportation.The host village provides Volunteer housing. This is typically a stand-alone house or private quarters alongside a host family. Housing structures vary from mud houses with metal roofs to concrete houses with glass windows. Volunteers use pit latrines, outdoor bath facilities, and fetch water from a village water source. There may be no electricity, in which case kerosene or solar lamps will be the main source of lighting, and charcoal stoves or kerosene stoves are used for cooking and heating during cold spells. Despite the modest conditions, Tanzanians keep their homes and courtyards clean and tidy. Peace Corps Volunteers are expected to do likewise, and if need be, can obtain help with washing clothes, fetching water and/or other household chores at an affordable cost.Personal appearance is of great importance in Tanzania. Female Volunteers are expected to wear modest dresses and long skirts (well below the knees, with upper arms and shoulders covered) and nice flat shoes or sandals in their communities. On the island of Zanzibar or in other coastal Muslim communities females tend to be more accepted when they cover their heads, as is the custom for women in those communities. When out running or exercising, females should wear a sarong or cloth tied over shorts or yoga pants. Male Volunteers should wear slacks, collared shirts, and loafers or other closed toed shoes when presenting themselves professionally. Shorts, for all genders, should only be worn in public if one is engaged in sport or exercise. A Volunteer's professional appearance, work habits, and positive attitude towards colleagues and community members will go a long way towards helping them gain the respect of their community.Volunteers will encounter very different social and cultural norms that require flexibility and understanding. For example, the American sense of privacy in terms of information-sharing or physical space doesn't really exist in many Tanzanian communities. Volunteers are frequently asked personal questions, e.g. one's religion and marital status, and people will wonder why a Volunteer might want quiet moments alone. As a foreigner, there is also the added element of curiosity from children as well as adults.It is important to note that Tanzania has restrictive laws that target LGBTQ individuals. Volunteers will need to be mindful of cultural norms and country-specific laws. Staff and currently serving Volunteers will address how to navigate this aspect of identity and what support mechanisms are available. Please refer to the Local Laws and Special Circumstances of the U.S. Department of State's travel page for more information:https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Tanzania.html

Language RequirementNoneLanguage Skills Additional InformationTrainees will receive 10-weeks of pre-service training in the predominant language, Kiswahili, and are required to attain an Intermediate-Mid oral proficiency level before swearing-in as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Additional language training can be offered through independent tutoring during service.Primary SectorAgricultureAccepts CouplesYesCouples CommentsPeace Corps Tanzania is able to accept couples who wish to serve together. In order to serve as a couple in Tanzania, your partner must qualify and apply for one of the following positions:-Health Extension Volunteer-Sustainable Agriculture VolunteerCouples will live together with a host family during Pre-Service Training but may be separated for short-term field-based activities if they are in different project sectors. During service, couples will live together either in a village house or in separate quarters next to a host family. Due to Tanzania's expectation that whenever a man and woman live together they are by default married, unmarried couples should be prepared to present themselves as married throughout their service.Apply By01-Jul-2020Know By01-Sep-2020Language Requirements InformationThere are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.Total Number of Positions Available30