Volunteer Opportunities

REMOTE ASSISTANCE: Improved Marketing, Contract Management and Negotiation Skills

Winrock International requests the support of a locally-based, national Ghanaian Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer and an American (remote) Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer for a 17 day volunteer assignment located in Sabare No.1, the Zabuzugu District of the Northern Region of Ghana. The volunteers will work together to train female members of Lagintum Rice Processing Group (LRPG) on how to effectively market their products to meet required standards for the local and international markets. Training will also include business skills (such as negotiating for better contracts). The volunteers will review LRPG’s marketing activities and assist them to develop a marketing strategy. The group has been processing paddy rice and providing milling services for members and other rice processors in the Sabare No. 1 community. Members prefer to process their rice and sell collectively. They have requested F2F technical assistance to improve their marketing, contract management and negotiation skills. This training is expected to enhance the competitiveness of their products to penetrate new markets leading to increased sales and incomes for LRPG members. The national volunteer will conduct the training/technical assistance in person, with the U.S. volunteer participating remotely.

The US volunteer should have the following qualifications and background: 

• University degree in agribusiness, agro-processing, marketing, business management, or related field 

• Experience and extensive knowledge in marketing, negotiation, and contract management; skills in developing agribusinesses in developing countries 

• Experience in training and transferring hands-on knowledge to adults 

• Good report writing, verbal, and communication skills 

• Familiarity working with low education populations; ability to effectively communicate across cultures 

• Ability to use a computer for report writing, Microsoft Excel for record keeping and presentations without the assistance of others 

• Proficiency with platforms such as Zoom, WhatsApp, and/or Microsoft Teams to participate in or facilitate training.

Summary of US volunteer role: 

• Discuss objectives and collaborative approach at the start of assignment with national based Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer, through Zoom or Microsoft Teams, with Winrock local staff facilitation. 

• Draft, with the collaboration of the national based volunteer, all training materials and agenda related to effectively marketing products to meet required standards for the local market and business skills (such as negotiating for better contracts) 

• Work remotely with the national volunteer to train 17 LRPG members on how to effectively market their products to meet required standards for the local market and business skills (such as negotiating for better contracts). 

• Work remotely with the national volunteer to review LRPG’s marketing activities and assist them to develop a marketing strategy. 

• If the technology (internet) allows it, facilitate some training sessions failing this, the local volunteer will do it.

***As part of the Farmer-to-Farmer Consortium, this assignment is made possible through USAID funding. In accordance to USAID guidelines, any candidates submitted for consideration under this project must have a valid US passport or Green Card.***