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Village Health Works looking for Agronomist to help build its food security program in Kigutu, Burundi.

Village Health Works, founded in 2006, is a 501 (c)(3) organization with offices in New York City, that has provided health care in a dignified environment to about 28,000 people in Kigutu, Burundi since opening its doors less than two years ago. It was the only clinic in the country to continue full operations during recent nurse and doctor strikes in the country, and prides itself on providing quality health services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Burundi, whose health infrastructure has been decimated over the course of more than 12 years of civil war, is ranked one of the poorest countries in the world. Village Health Works has solid partnerships with the very communities it serves, as well as the Ministry of Health, Burundian government, UNICEF, and others. For more information, visit www.villagehealthworks.org.


Internship Overview:
VHW is looking for an experienced agronomist to help develop its agriculture program on site in Kigutu, Burundi. The agriculture program is the core component of our Food Security Program, which is under development. Current infrastructure includes: Two annual garden spaces, one acre of newly planted perennial food forest, and a small-scale nursery structure. VHW also has a small agriculture team of minimally experienced local gardeners. The ideal candidate for the VHW agronomist apprenticeship in Kigutu will be able to make use of and grow the infrastructure already in place, help train program staff in agriculture care and techniques, and work closely with the team members to create efficient food production systems on site and to educate people in the local community about how to do so themselves.

The ideal person will be interested in passing on their own knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices and won’t be afraid to get their hands dirty working alongside the team. Also will have some knowledge of global health issues and is eager about being part of VHW’s growth.


Essential Job Functions:
• Garden Design; Nursery Management (Perennial and annual plant propagation); Seed saving; Soil building; Animal husbandry; Daily team meetings; Deliver Agriculture education workshops and demonstrations (with team and community members); Regularly coordinate with Medical Director and clinical staff to ensure synchronicity; Network with domestic and international agricultural organizations; and help develop long-term vision for Food Security projects.


Requirements:
• Ability to use innovation and creativity to make progress in resource poor settings with very little established infrastructure.
• History of successfully managing and strengthening agriculture teams and projects.
• Willingness to work with translator and learn some Kirundi (local language); fluency in French an added benefit.
• Experienced in using sustainable agriculture practices.
• Willing to live in a remote, underdeveloped village and country.
• Able to lead and function well as a team player.
• Able to write well organized plans and weekly reports for interdepartmental communication.
• Self starter and self-motivated with vision for future development.

Please e-mail your resume and a cover letter describing your interest and experience to sarah@villagehealthworks.org. Position available ASAP. This apprenticeship is unpaid, but room and board will be provided in Kigutu.


For more information, please visit the website at www.villagehealthworks.org.


Village Health Works is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants with diverse identities across race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability and sexual orientation to apply.