Strategic Planning Assistant
Youth Program (El Salvador)

Status: Open
Application Deadline: May 14, 2007

Job Region: El Salvador, City: San Salvador and Rural areas and Canada, City: Ottawa

Contact Person: Sue Brewer
Contact by e-mail: salvaide@web.net

Sector: Support to non-governmental organizations

Position Description
CRIPDES' Youth Program facilitates the formation of youth groups and provides a forum for them to express their concerns. The program also offers various opportunities for training and information sharing in regards to HIV/AIDS, gender and leadership.

In Canada
The intern will start research on the Youth Program and will, with the help of Salvaide, learn about the cultural, political and socio-cultural context in El Salvador to prepare his or her internship. The intern will also assist with punctual tasks in the Salvaide office and learn more about Salvaide programs.

Overseas
The intern will evaluate and provided suggestions in regards to strategic planning for the Youth Program and will support the programs general management and execution.

Host Organization: Association of Rural Communities for the Development of El Salvador - CRIPDES

Host Organization:
CRIPDES is a grass-roots organization with extensive experience in the organization and development of rural communities in El Salvador. CRIPDES was founded in 1984 in the midst of the country's armed conflict. Today, CRIPDES represents over 100,000 people from over 300 communities located in 7 of the 14 departments in El Salvador. CRIPDES´ main goal is the promotion of organization in the rural populations and political advocacy actions to contribute to the improvement of people's standards of living by increasing their political participation within the local and national spheres.

Status: Open
Application Deadline: May 14, 2007

Job Region: El Salvador, City: San Salvador and Rural areas and Canada, City: Ottawa

Contact Person : Sue Brewer
Contact by e-mail: salvaide@web.net

Sector: Business and other services

Position Description
The objective of this internship is to work with CORDES and assist in the developing of international fair trade services. To provide cooperatives and small business with the tools they need to develop foreign markets. In addition, the intern will be working with both Canadian and Salvadorians cooperatives/companies to develop linkages for business partnerships. These activities will include market research, the identification of specific partners.

In Canada
In Canada the internship will research cooperatives and business working or interested on fair trade initiatives. This will contribute to increased learning before departure of the work in El Salvador and at returning to integrate, strength and develop further the marketing of fair trade products in Canada.

Overseas
The internship will support CORDES' fair trade business and cooperatives initiatives. Identify market opportunities and constraints for already operating cooperatives and support them with the technical skills.

Host Organization: Foundation for Cooperation and Community Development of El Salvador

Host Organization:
CORDES Foundation is a private, non-profit institution that promotes economic and social development in rural communities that have been greatly affected by the destruction and poverty caused by the war and communities that are made up of mostly repatriated, displaced, repopulated and demobilized families. CORDES has five programs: Agricultural, Financing, Commercial, Institutional Strengthening and Emergency Program.

What are the eligibility requirements?
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident between the ages of 19 and 30, with 6 to 8 months free to devote to an internship, you have passed the first eligibility test! Congratulations!

Do you have an interest in international development?
Can you handle last minute changes without losing your cool?
Are you interested in coaching and helping others grow professionally?
Are you confident and decisive?
Are you able to set priorities? And do you know when to let them go?

Requirements
• Preferably previous experience in a NGO or development context
• Ability to work well as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload, using initiative when appropriate
• Ability to take responsibility
• Proven problem solving skills
• Willingness to work in unstable environments
• Good command of Spanish and English
• Working knowledge of French is an asset

Salvaide embraces diversity and encourages all qualified candidates to apply

You must be:

- A post-secondary graduate; that is, a graduate of a degree or diploma program in a university, college, post-secondary school of technology, post-secondary institute or a CÉGEP (college d'enseignement general et professionnel, Québec);
out of school (that is, you must not have courses, coop-terms or theses left to complete to satisfy your current degree requirements).
- Ready to begin your professional career.
- Unemployed or underemployed.
- Legally entitled to work in Canada.

However, you are not eligible if you have had a previous paid, career-related international work experience, or if you have participated in a YES international internship program in the past. (Please note that priority will be given to applicants who have not participated in a YES science and technology internship or in an internship within the Career Focus stream of YES.

 

The position is not a volunteer position, and a modest salary is provided. The starting date will be the 1st week of July in Canada and traveling to El Salvador on August and finish date will be in February If you are interested in these positions, it is preferred that you send your motivation letter together with your CV to the following e-mail address: salvaide@web.net In the subject line mention: “Your Name”/Strategic Planning Assistant-Youth Program, or “Your Name”/Fair Trade Development Officer Only candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.