Skip to content
Winrock International

Volunteer Opportunities

Interested in volunteering with Winrock? Please register in our volunteer portal.

Already registered? Please submit updated resumes to our recruiters today.

If you don’t see an applicable assignment, you may still submit an online application to be considered for future assignments.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact our recruiting staff at volunteer@winrock.org, and check back for updates and new volunteer opportunities.

Current Openings

Overseas assignments last from two to six weeks. Click the assignment title to obtain additional details. Volunteers must meet basic qualifications for the assignment.

Back to Volunteer Opportunities

Capacity Building on Pineapple and Ginger Products Processing and Conservation

Location: Kissidougou

Assignment Number: GUI303

Volunteers Requested: 1

Recruiter: Sherri Kabaou | SKabaou@winrock.org | 501.280.3019

Winrock International is seeking a Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer to support a 17-day assignment (including travel) to Kissidougou, Guinea. The volunteer will conduct a training session for the Union of Pineapple and Ginger Producers in Kissidougou (UPAG-K). The training aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to process ginger and pineapple effectively.

Guinea has significant agricultural potential, with natural conditions conducive to cultivating various agricultural products. Agriculture contributes 20% of GDP and is the main activity of almost 80% of the rural population. The pineapple sector has recently been attracting renewed attention from the national authorities and a number of agricultural development players, given its potential to create jobs and generate income. Also, ginger is a highly prized product in Guinean gastronomy.

Many of these products are cut off from markets for part or most of the year, and post-harvest losses are high due to poor agronomic practices, poor post-harvest handling, lack of storage, and poor transportation services. Consequently, large quantities of products are marketed during the harvest season (April-July). During the off-season, fruits and vegetables are in high demand, but farmers do not have the technology to store, process, and deliver them to the market.

The volunteer will:

·       Assist the organization in addressing the challenge of markets distant from production areas, minimizing or eliminating post-harvest losses, and suggesting storage methods and transportation options appropriate to the local context.

·       Develop a training manual and PowerPoint on preserving and processing agricultural products, particularly pineapple and ginger.

The ideal volunteer for this assignment should have the following qualifications and background:

·       A university degree and expertise in food science and nutrition, or a closely related field, are required for this position.

·       In addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to train and impart practical knowledge to adult learners effectively. Strong written and verbal communication skills are valuable for this position.

·       In addition, a minimum of 5 to 10 years of experience in the economic use of fruit and vegetable processing equipment in developing countries, particularly in West Africa, is highly desirable.