Position: Seasonal Agriculture Technical Trainer 

Supervisor: Training Manager & Program Manager for Agriculture

CLOSING DATE: December 27, 2019

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Under the supervision of the Agriculture Program Manager, the Technical Trainer designs, facilitates, monitors, and evaluates technical training for agriculture Peace Corps Volunteers in Cameroon living in homestays undergoing Pre-Service Training (PST). Peace Corps utilizes a community based approach in a rural setting to train Trainees. The position is seasonal covering the Peace Corps PST timeframe which typically is 4 to 8 months (non-consecutive) and based where Peace Corps training takes place. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to work and live in a rural setting with very limited resources.  Teaching and cross-cultural skills are required.
The Technical Trainer will have the following roles and responsibilities: 

• Technical Agriculture Instruction 75% 
• Trainee Support 25%

Technical Agriculture Instruction:

• Conduct Pre-training Research to prepare task analyses, identify resources, and clarify training goals with Peace Corps staff
• Develop lessons plans and support materials for technical classes using Peace Corps’ adult learning methodologies, and adapt lessons according to Trainees’ needs
• Collaborate with Language Trainers and other training staff to integrate all training components in technical lessons
• Implement the formal pre-service Technical curriculum, facilitating technical classes for an average of 4-6 hours per day
• Deliver technical training, including: practical instructions; classroom activities; facilitation of field exercises; supervision of Trainee Directed Activities (TDAs); assistance to Trainees in preparation of projects; individual support to Trainees
• Prepare and implement individualized activities for advanced learners and for Trainees who have learning difficulties
• Formally evaluate technical progress of Trainees including weekly individual feedback to Trainees
• Maintain files of written lesson plans and handouts for all technical programs
• Participate in the design and implementation of the competency-based technical curriculum
• Assist the Training Manager and the Program Manager/Program & Training Assistant in developing, assessing and redesigning competencies and training sessions as required
• Participate, as needed, in design and delivery of follow up Volunteer in-service trainings (ISTs)
• Prepare and submit to the Program Manager & Training Manager a monthly progress reports and the end-of-training (EOT) report on the technical component. In the EOT report include a description of the program, recommendations for improvement, a written session plan for each training session.

Trainee Support:

• Participate as a team member with other Trainers in the integrated design and implementation of the Community Based Training program (including participating in pre-training research)
• Ensure that safety and security competencies are incorporated and actively integrated in PST and effectively delivered to PCTs so that their achievement is properly evaluated and documented
• Support the safety and security systems that are in place for PST, including reinforcing to PCTs their roles and responsibilities related to their personal safety and security
• Evaluate Trainee progress according to the Trainee Assessment Portfolio and provide feedback to Trainees using the Coach Approach methodology 
• Provide support/guidance to Trainees and other training staff
• Participate in non-technical sessions (i.e. language/medical/safety sessions) to reinforce and provide support
• Perform any other duty assigned by Training Manager or Program Manager

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: University advanced degree (at least MSc/Engineer or equivalent) in livestock/animal production, animal sciences  or related field;

Prior Work Experience: 

• At least 5 years of experience in livestock nutrition, health care, housing, feed formulation and farm planning/management for chicken, pig and fish farming. 

Language Proficiency:  Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and working knowledge of French. Ability to understand, explain and communicate technical material in both languages. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Work as a team member under high pressure; 
• Efficiently design and deliver sessions using Adult Learning Principles and the Experiential Learning Cycle.  
• Skill as a trainer, facilitator, and mentor in a cross-cultural setting
• Knowledgeable on differences between teacher centered and student-centered teaching approaches; 
• Proficiency in use of the internet and with Microsoft programs:  Outlook (email), Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.   
• Experience working in cross-cultural settings, sensitivity and familiarity with diversity of American and Cameroonian cultures;
• Ability to work successfully within a multi-cultural office.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, conflict management skills, diplomacy and tact with staff, Volunteers, Trainees, community members and members of government.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and a strong sense of integrity.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A strong knowledge of Peace Corps, its mission, and its approach to development
• Highly organized, analytical, logistics oriented, and professional with an ability to successfully network on behalf of the Program

Application instructions

Submit the following in MS Word or PDF:

• A cover letter; 
• Current resume; 
• At least three professional references. 

Peace Corps Cameroon does not accept documents saved on any cloud format including Google. The file size should not exceed 8MB.

No telephone calls or personal visits please. Only the documents listed in the application instructions should be submitted including your telephone number by December 27, 2019.  Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.