Agriculture Research Assistant

Agriculture Research Intern

Background

Our agriculture program provides solutions to the daily problems that confront smallholder farmers—whether that is access to finance, farm inputs, weather information, technical assistance, or markets.  These are the resources needed by some 2.2 billion people around the world who make their livelihoods through farming small plots of land. Today, such smallholder farmers comprise the majority of the world’s poorest people, and half of all food-insecure households globally. To reach farmers at the “last mile” – especially women farmers who often shoulder the majority of farm labor with the least access to resources – we combine the use of digital technology, networks of skilled individuals in local communities, and a rich array of partners. To get technology to work for smallholder farmers, we focus first on people and partnerships. Local networks of farmer group leaders, women’s savings groups, loan officers, farm input dealers and others are central to the development and implementation of exciting solutions that take on a life of their own.

Challenge

Grameen Foundation has a relatively small staff despite all the work we do! As such, volunteers and interns are critical to assisting our employees in carrying out their work. Interns, in particular, enable program and operations’ staff to pursue informative research and analysis and more efficiently fulfill ongoing reporting and administrative requirements.

Project Description and Objectives

The Agriculture Research Intern will report directly to the Director of Agriculture. This opportunity will be based out of the Grameen Foundation DC office and will focus on the work of Grameen Foundation across the globe.

Volunteer Deliverables

Key deliverables include:

·         Prepare 1-2 page "Review of Mobile and ICT Landscape" for GF country programs

·         Compile GF technical folder on ICT4Ag

·         Schedule, prepare for, and participate in meetings with key stakeholders, potential partners, and others

·         Other tasks as assigned by the Director of Agriculture

In addition to the specific deliverables outlined above, the Ag Research Intern will participate in BwB program events and complete BwB assignments as requested (i.e. orientation, training, hour-tracking, and periodic check-ins).

Expected Results/Impact

Advancing Grameen Foundation's work and mission.