Tostan Empowered Communities Network (ECN) Seeks Intern

Tostan Empowered Communities Network (ECN) Seeks Volunteer for Development of
Traditional Arts and Crafts in Senegal for the Export Market
www.tostan.org

Tostan is an American 501(c)(3) nongovernmental organization based in Dakar, Senegal. Its mission is to empower African communities for sustainable development and positive social transformation based on the respect for human rights. Tostan's Community Empowerment Program (CEP) is implemented in over 1,000 communities in seven African countries.

Tostan's Department of Development Support oversees the Empowered Communities Network (ECN),helping communities that have participated in the CommunityEmpowerment Program to reinforce their education through projects that promote socioeconomic wellbeing. The department provides guidance, training and financial support to Community Management Committees (CMCs), which manage projects ranging from microcredit programs to the construction of community health stations.

The ECNVolunteer is an integral member of the ECN team, which consists of the Director of the Department of Development Support and the CMC coordinator in Thiès, the Washington DC office, and theregionally-based Development Support Supervisors. S/he collaborates with team members to design, implement, and monitor community development projects and spends roughly equal time in Thièsand in the field. This specific volunteer position for the development of traditional crafts in Senegal for the export market will serve as the point person on a project traditional arts
and crafts from Tostan CMCs for the international market.

Primary ECN TraditionalArts and Crafts Volunteer Responsibilities include:

1. Develop a Terms of Reference in French in conjunction with ECN team, National Coordinator and Regional Coordinators for a nation-wide assessment of Tostan-partner communities with active Community Management Committees that have traditional artisans creating arts and crafts with export potential

2. Execute assessment through travel to regional offices and field visits with Tostan Development and Support Supervisors, taking photos of arts
and crafts and preparing descriptions of each potential product

3. Collaborate with other members of the ECN team to propose a management
and logistics system for developing the traditional arts and crafts and
create a yearly budget for the activity

4. Interview, photograph, and ultimately write portraits about the
microentrepreneurs/traditional artists to showcase their accomplishments

5. Interact with Tostan Partner organization(s) for the development of traditional arts and crafts program at Tostan (probably Global Goods Partners in New York), the US Office staff (Partnership Director and Director for US Operations) on the development of the project, funding opportunities and building Tostan’s capacity.

Secondary ECN Volunteer Responsibilities Include:

1. Collaborate with other members of the ECN team to design, implement, monitor and evaluate projects,

2. Build staff capacity

* Provide training in Excel and other internet and computer programs as needed

* Serve as a resource for questions about internet and computer operation and programs

1. Represent Tostan’s international team by accompanying staff on data gathering missions and attending training seminars, declarations, and other events.

Trainings provided: Basicskills in national languages, Use of Tostan’s server, Facilitationof computer and other instructional trainings, familiarization withthe Empowered Communities Network

Qualifications:

* Bilingual French/English, some knowledge of Wolof or another Senegalese
language desirable

* Strong writing skills

* Some background in the design and craft sectors, fair trade goods, development of traditional arts and crafts, or artistic goods in general, able to recognize quality goods

* Experience managing projects in NGO context and/or small business experience

* Some knowledge of shipping logistics and customs regulations desirable

* Educational or professional experience in (micro)finance or community development projects desirable

* Knowledge of Gmail, Google Groups, Google Documents, Google Calendars, Microsoft Word, Excel, and other internet and computer programs

* Ability to work independently and flexibly in a fast-paced multicultural work environment

Benefits:

* Housing adjacent to or within office

* Lunch Monday-Friday

* Travel expenses for work-related trips

* Internet access in office during reasonable hours of the day and night

* Hands on experience with an internationally recognized NGO

* Opportunity to develop highly sought-after skills in project management, field research, microcredit management, training, and written and oral communication

* Opportunity to work within a multicultural, multilingual environment, interacting with communities, Tostan staff, international volunteers, and a variety of donors and partners

* Development of Curriculum Vitae

This is an unpaid internship opportunity. Please contact volunteer@tostan.org with a CV and letter of motivation.