Nicaragua Environment Project Officer

Background: Youth Challenge International is a leading global youth development organization that promotes youth innovation to drive positive change. Building on over 20 years of experience, YCI’s programs are designed to meet the needs of youth affected by poverty through three integrated sectors: youth leadership, youth health and youth livelihoods. YCI engages youth in creating solutions to the challenges they face, incorporating youth development, volunteerism, partnership, and equity into all that we do (www.yci.org).

Partner Organization: Reto Juvenil Internacional ( RJI) is a non-profit organization that promotes youth leadership by supporting initiatives that contribute to improving the quality of life in their communities. YCI and RJI have been working together in partnership for 20 years. The Nicaraguan Association for Sustainable Development ( ANIDES) was established as an NGO in 1999 to promote opportunities for sustainable ways of living in Matagalpa Province in Nicaragua.

Position Description: • Conduct a needs assessment of the agricultural and environmental situation of Matagalpa/Esteli. • Design and implement an organic agriculture project. • Implement ecological sanitation systems for Matagalpa and Esteli (dry toilets) • Design a strategy to raise awareness about the importance of environmental protection and conservation. • Design a strategy to raise awareness about the importance of hygiene.

Desired Background and Qualifications: • Post-Secondary graduate in environmental sciences, agriculture or related field • Experience working in a team in a leadership capacity • Ability to work in an environment with limited resources and minimal supervision • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Good cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills • Possess a great deal of initiative and flexibility • Ability to communicate fluently in Spanish • Prior overseas experience in Latin America an asset

General Requirements: • A Canadian citizen or permanent resident • Between the ages of 19 and 30 • A post-secondary graduate • Out of school with no outstanding requirements for graduation • Ready to begin your professional career • Unemployed or underemployed • Legally entitled to work in Canada

What’s Provided by YCI: • Return airfare • Pre-departure training and re-orientation upon return • Living allowance to cover accommodation, food and local transport • Medical insurance and vaccination stipend • Visa related costs • Professional development coaching and support

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter and CV as a single document to intern@yci.org by January 2, 2012 with the position you are applying for in the subject line.