To be eligible for the International Youth Internship Program, an intern must be:
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident; A post-secondary graduate -graduate of a degree or diploma program from a university, college, post-secondary school of technology, post-secondary institute or a CEGEP (collège d’nseignement général et professionnel); Out of school; Between the ages of 19 and 30; Unemployed or underemployed in their field of study; Legally entitled to work in Canada.
In Canada, successful applicants will start and finish their work experience in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec with REAP-Canada. Interns will support REAP’s energy crop farming and bioenergy research and development program and do background research on West African farming systems. Interns will learn about participatory on-farm development, sustainable agriculture, bio-energy and climate change mitigation strategies through research, fieldwork and program outreach and development. There will also be a one week orientation / pre-departure workshop to prepare interns for their overseas activities and a debriefing workshop in Canada to complete their experience.
Overseas, the intern will further this knowledge where they will be based in The Gambia or Senegal with our overseas partners. The overseas term will begin with 4 weeks of intensive language training and cultural immersion. The interns will then work with local farming communities on ecological farming systems development to improve farm production and profitability while promoting sustainable natural resource management. Interns will work to expand local farmer-to-farmer training networks, and develop farm planning and farm demonstrations exhibiting diversified ecological farming and food production systems. Ecological Farming Systems Development Interns will be involved in farmer-to-farmer trainings and learning farm development exhibiting demonstrations for food self-sufficiency and gardening, plant improvement and seed conservation programs, nursery management, soil fertility management and erosion control, reduced tillage, Bokashi organic fertilizer production, live fencing, agro-forestry and orchard and woodlot management and sustainable livestock management and fodder production.
Qualifications:
• Education or equivalent experience in environmental / sustainability issues
• Knowledge / experience in ecological agriculture, resource management, rural community development or climate change.
• Self-motivated, creative and able to work with limited guidance and supervision
• Excellent organizational skills with an ability to integrate information
• Proficient on the computer and skills in report /proposal writing and office management
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team environment under stressful conditions and achieve results
• Long-term commitment to international development
• Leadership and decision making skills with the capacity to motivate others
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to work under rustic conditions (intense heat, basic diet an accommodations, etc.)
• Strong constitution, good health and ability to work in rustic conditions (heat, basic diet and accommodations, etc.)
• Open to cross-cultural exchange of information and ideas. Experience working with other cultures an asset, as is an enthusiasm for learning foreign languages
• Bilingual is an asset – The Senegal intern must be fluent in French; Gambia interns must be fluent in English.
To apply please send your resumé and cover letter to:
Meredith Kushnir, International Program Coordinator
E: mkushnir@reap-canada.com
W: http://www.reap-canada.com