Tostan’s Empowered Communities Network (ECN) reinforces communities that have participated in the Community Empowerment Program (CEP) by facilitating partnerships and funding for projects that promote socioeconomic wellbeing.

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 to identify, prepare, and market traditional arts and crafts from Tostan partner communities on the international fair trade market.

Start Date: TBD

Minimum commitment: 6 months   

Hours per week: 20-30 hours/week, but must also be flexible to work/travel on weekends depending on tasks

Location: Dakar and Thies, Senegal (70%) with travel to other regions of the country (30%)

Direct supervisor(s):   Coordinator of the Department for Development Support

Collaborator(s): Director of Operations, ECN Team, Senegal National Coordinator, Senegal Regional Coordinators, Volunteer Coordinator, and other staff and partners at the local and national levels

Responsibilities

• Develop a Terms of Reference in French in conjunction with ECN team, Senegal National Coordinator and Senegal Regional Coordinators for a nation-wide assessment of Tostan-partner communities with active Community Management Committees (CMCs) that have traditional artisans creating arts and crafts with export potential
• Execute assessment through travel to regional offices and field visits with Tostan Development Support Supervisors, taking photos of arts and crafts and preparing descriptions of each potential product
• Collaborate with other members of the ECN team to propose a management and logistics system for developing [s1]   [NB2]   the traditional arts and crafts and create a yearly budget for the activity
• Interview, photograph, and ultimately write portraits about the microentrepreneurs/traditional artists to showcase their accomplishments [s3]   [NB4]  
• 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 (Director and Associate Director for US Operations) on the development of the project, funding opportunities and building Tostan’s capacity in this sector
• Follow-through with Global Goods Partners in the US for further development of products and distribution of profits to artists.

• Collaborate with other members of the ECN team to design, implement, monitor and evaluate projects
• Work with staff to produce publicity materials (in French and English), such as PowerPoint presentations, brochures, films (if qualified)
• Initiate capacity-building activities for staff in ICT skills, report writing, statistical data collection and analysis, and English through trainings, workshops, and collaboration/critique
• Help to develop an organization and communications system within the ECN team and Tostan Senegal to ensure that information is shared with the Executive and International Communications Teams  

• Terms of Reference for project
• Compiled “catalogue” of traditional arts and crafts items, as identified during exploratory field phase
• Electronic copies of all documents produced, edited, etc. to supervisor, incoming volunteer, and Volunteer Coordinator
• Final narrative report of individual activities for internal distribution and adaptation for external use
• Completed “Request for Volunteer” forms, submitted to the Volunteer Coordinator, as needed
• Other activities, as requested by Executive Team, ECN Team. Volunteer Coordinator, and other immediate supervisors and collaborators  

• Bachelors degree in social sciences, business, management, or related field required
• Master’s degree OR current enrollment in Master’s program (studies in International Development, Education, Gender Studies, Non-Profit Management, Marketing, Monitoring & Evaluation preferred ) OR At least two (2) years of professional experience   with a non-governmental organization / non-profit either in Africa or in another developing region
• Educational and/or professional experience in microfinance or community development preferred
• Thorough understanding of Tostan’s programs and methodologies
• Fluent in spoken and written French and English required (written samples required in both languages); excellent writing skills required ; knowledge of Wolof or other Senegalese language preferred
• Experience in project management in the context of an NGO OR experience managing a small-medium business required ; experience working with fair trade products and the ability to recognize quality products preferred ;  knowledge of the shipping and customs regulations preferred
• Capable of working with external stakeholders on planning and program implementation
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with Access or other database software preferred
• Knowledge of Gmail, Google Groups, Google Documents, Google Calendars, and other Internet programs preferred
• Ability to be persistent and diplomatic, and to establish mutual respect among Tostan staff, project partners, and local community members
• Ability to work independently, self-motivate, and to manage multiple tasks at once
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Flexible to adapt to a multicultural environment, to work in varied conditions, to be considerate of limited resources, and to adapt work priorities to the immediate needs of the project or donor
• Ability to travel independently  

Benefits

• Hands on experience with an internationally recognized NGO
• Development of curriculum vitae/resume
• Opportunity to develop highly sought-after skills in project management, training, and written and oral communication in a multicultural, multilingual environment 
• Opportunity to collaborate and interact with communities, Tostan staff, international volunteers, and a variety of donors and partners  

• Common volunteer housing and utilities
• Lunch Monday-Friday
• All work-related travel covered by Tostan
• Internet access in office during business hours  

• Week-long volunteer orientation with other volunteers
• Introduction to national language skills
• Short introduction to software
• Other training, as deemed necessary and appropriate by supervisors  

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