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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
· 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;
• 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: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 by 5 pm AST ***EXTENDED DEADLINE!!!
Interviews will take place between May 15 – 21, 2008 in Halifax or by phone.
Anticipated start date May 27, 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.
This position is part of CIDA’s International Youth Internship Program (www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/internships). Please note that program approval is conditional upon the signature of a contribution agreement by CIDA.
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