Position Title:  Kesho Leo Environmental Sustainability Supervisor

Job Description:  Join the  fws team on this unique project to build and operate an environmentally sensitive and sustainable children’s village in Tanzania, Africa.  The Kesho Leo Children’s Village will become the home of 40 disadvantaged and orphaned children and 16 vulnerable and widowed women.  A career-making opportunity exists for the role of Volunteer Environmental Sustainability Supervisor to meet the living needs of the residents and also become an example to the wider community of sustainable agriculture and appropriate environmental systems. 

As the Environmental Sustainability Supervisor, you will counterpart with Tanzanian staff and international volunteers to develop and maintain the environmental and agricultural systems at Kesho Leo.  Through assisting the development of our organic farm and environmental systems, you will assist in the growth of Kesho Leo becoming a sustainable user of food, water, shelter and energy.

Following the principles of permaculture, the Environmental Sustainability Supervisor will assist in the early development of this project and a broad range of systems such as biodigesters for biogas production, compost toilets, small scale livestock management, rainwater harvesting and aquaculture. Use your skills and creativity to redevelop two hectares of traditionally farmed land into a productive organic farm. 

The success of this project will be enhanced by your enthusiasm and ability to disseminate this knowledge and the practical use of these systems to the wider community, mostly small-scale commercial and subsistence farmers.  The Environmental Sustainability Supervisor will be responsible for managing and sometimes leading community education in simple processes such as compost making, organic farming and rainwater harvesting. 

The Environmental Sustainability Supervisor will counterpart directly with our Tanzanian Farm Manager.  Working in a capacity building role, the aim is that new ideas and skills will be passed between local staff and international volunteers to ensure the sustainability of the project.  The Volunteer will gain ground-level skills and knowledge of working in Tanzania. 

Responsibilities of the Environmental Sustainability Supervisor will include:
➢    Counter-parting with local staff and volunteers to assist in community development, environmental conservation and practical agricultural solutions;
➢    Continue the development and management of systems to support sustainable living and environmental protection at the Kesho Leo Children’s Village;
➢    Redevelop two hectares of traditionally farmed agricultural land into an organically farmed system with the aim of producing the living needs for 50 residents;
➢    Manage and teach education programs to the Kesho Leo residents and community relating to organic farming, sustainable living and environmental education. 

The Environmental Sustainability Supervisor will liaise with:
➢    Robert Cork – the fws Environmental Advisor;
➢    The Tanzanian Kesho Leo Farm Manager; and
➢    Kelsey Wilson – the Kesho Leo Children’s Village Manager.

Qualifications or experience desired include:
➢    A good understanding of the principles of permaculture or sustainable agricultural production and environmentally sensitive living;
➢    Practical experience and knowledge of organic farming techniques for household food production needs;
➢    A understanding of the operation and principles involved in systems such as compost toilets, biodigesters, etc is an advantage;
➢    Experience or qualifications in education of various groups;
➢    Experience of travel or living in developing countries; and
➢    An understanding of rural and community development in developing countries. 

Personal Qualities required include:
➢    Flexible, open-minded and able to adapt to changing and often challenging situations while living in Tanzania;
➢    Excellent communication skills to assist in working with a broad range of staff including English and non-English speaking Tanzanians and international volunteers;
➢    A passion for environmental protection and sustainable agricultural development, and an understanding of the importance of this in developing countries;
➢    An ability to work as a diverse team, yet be independently driven and lead when required;
➢    Effective problem solving and organisational skills;
➢    Cross-cultural understanding and a desire to learn Kiswahili, the local language. 
➢    Personal fitness and health.

Position Duration:  The position of Environmental Sustainability Supervisor is for a negotiable period of 12 months.  Commencement of the placement at Kesho Leo is negotiable, but ideally will begin sometime between May and July 2008. 

Description of project location:  The Kesho Leo Children’s Village is located 7km (20-30 minutes drive on the local roads) outside of Arusha, Tanzania.  Arusha is a sprawling city with a population around 300,000 people.  As the ‘gateway’ to safaris through the Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater National Parks, and hikes up Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru, Arusha has a number of western services, yet maintains the feeling of an African lifestyle.  
   
Construction of Kesho Leo began in August 2007 and is expected to be complete in September 2008.  International volunteers live one kilometre from Kesho Leo in a small village arrangement that accommodates 12 residents.  The Volunteer Village is situated on one of the Kesho Leo’s farming plots and is surrounded by small scale farms.  The Volunteer Village includes compost toilets, outdoor showers and kitchen facilities.  Living here is basic yet considered by most volunteers to be very comfortable and pleasant.

To Apply for this position contact Shona Arneil – fws volunteer co-ordinator at shona.arneil@foodwatershelter.org.au.
 
Applications close on 30 April!