Update on Timing As of 10 May 2010, we are still waiting to hear confirmation from CIDA on internship funding. We will not be accepting applications until after we are confirmed and ready to start recruitment. Please keep checking back, we will post application procedures as soon as we are ready to go. We expect to hear more from CIDA by the end of May. Thanks for your patience and keep checking back!

Strengthening Rural Value Chains in Ethiopia

The goal of the proposed project is to increase incomes for farmers and textile producers by facilitating access to growing markets, enhanced production techniques, appropriate technologies, improved input supplies, and affordable support services, including finance. With a commercially-driven approach, activities will concentrate on integrating smallholder rice farmers and small-scale artisans into higher value markets through increased market linkages (including input, services, and final markets) and enhanced productivity

Position – Technology and Market Development Intern

This internship will be best suited for someone with a background in business management and marketing. Strong research and analytical skills are required as well as a creative and entrepreneurial approach to problem solving.

The primary objective is to work with field staff and key facilitating partners to assess the needs for specific technologies and investigate available technologies to address these needs and understand different market opportunities.  Key tasks include:

• assess client technology needs for both rice and textile sector.
• scan and assess existing supply (import and local manufacture)
• identify gaps between needs and available supply
• develop workplan to pilot two technology dissemination models
• conduct final market research
• develop market linkage strategies    

Length of Assignment
The length of the work assignment in country is six months. Interns will participate in a one week orientation and training in Waterloo, Ontario and be required to debrief and report back to MEDA staff in Waterloo upon return to Canada. The debriefing will include exercises aimed to facilitate successful re-entry to Canada and ongoing job search training and support.

Application Procedure
We are NOT yet recruiting for internship assignments.  The assignment descriptions listed on this web site are examples of the internships we may be offering upon CIDA approval in the spring of 2010.