AFA is an alliance of 22 national member farmers’ associations in 16 countries in Southeast, East, South and Central Asia, with a combined membership of around 13 million small-scale farmers, fishers, forest users, herders, pastoralists, and indigenous peoples. Its highest governance body is the General Assembly, which meets once every two years. AFA’s goal is to strengthen the capacities of the leaders and technical staff of national farmer organizations, leading to the eradication of poverty and hunger, increased resilience, and sense of well-being of family farmers in Asia. AFA promotes a six-point peasant agenda which includes: i) secured rights to natural resources, ii) sustainable, climate resilient, agro ecological approaches, iii) cooperative development, iv) women empowerment, v) engagement of youth in agriculture, and vi) farmers’ organization governance.
We are looking for individuals in the following fields of study to help with our projects and activities.
Title of Post | Market Linkage Officer
Project-based staff |
Project title | Empowering Women and Youth Through Inclusive Agricultural Cooperatives and Value Chains Toward Peace and Development in Mindanao |
Number of slots | 2 |
Reporting to | Project Manager/Director |
Contract duration | February 2025 – October 2025 |
Basic salary | Php 35,000 – 40,000 depending on experience and qualifications |
Project site | Regions 10, 11, 12, and 13 |
Work station | Metro Manila – 1
Cebu city – 1 |
Application deadline | January 30, 2025 |
Application process | Email the application letter and CV/resume with at least three references to recruitment@asianfarmers.org by 30 January 2025.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. |
About the Project
The project endeavors to contribute to broadening the economic opportunities and meaningful participation of women and young farmers in various areas and processes such as (a) value chains/market, (b) cooperative, (c) governance and decision-making, (d) policy processes, and (e) agricultural development programs. The planned interventions aim to unlock the potential of cooperatives and Agri enterprises to empower and create livelihood opportunities for women and young people. The general objective is to improve the socio-economic conditions of participating women and young farmers engaged in agricultural groups and cooperatives. Specifically, the project aims to achieve the following outcomes:
- Increased capacities ofparticipating women and young farmers;
- Enhanced capacities of at least 14 agricultural cooperatives for gender and youth-responsive service delivery;
- Improved engagement of 6,000 women and young farmers in agricultural value chains, agri-enterprises, and cooperatives; and
- Improved participation of women and young farmers in policy processes and program development.
Job Description and Key Responsibilities
Several cooperative partners in Regions 10,11, 12, and 13 have market-ready products. Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager/Director, the Market Linkage Officer will:
- Establish a comprehensive list of potential markets and buyers of select cooperative products, both locally and nationally. Identify alternate market channels and key market players.
- Develop connections between cooperatives and buyers. Meet with potential institutional buyers and the coop representative to discuss possible marketing agreements.
- Collaborate with primary cooperatives in Regions 10,11,12, and 13 to evaluate their operational capacity and specific needs, enabling them to engage with institutional buyers. Using the result, implement necessary interventions.For example, conduct training sessions for cooperatives, focusing on effective strategies for linking their products to institutional markets and individuals. Additionally, supports women and youth in enhancing their marketing plans.
- Analyze distribution avenues beyond traditional methods, such as online platforms, local markets, or niche industries. Evaluate the potential of each channel based on reach, demographics, and cost-effectiveness.
- Collaborate with cooperative federations, particularly AgriCOOPh, to link cooperatives with existing and new AgriCOOPh farmers’ markets (KFF).
- Submit monthly timesheet using the prescribed formats.
- Perform other related tasks as requested by Project Manager/Director
Competency Requirements
Education and work experience
A degree in marketing, agribusiness, business administration, entrepreneurship, or a related field is mandatory. At least five years of experience in marketing, cooperative development, enterprise development, and brokering public-private partnerships. The candidate must be able to write, speak, present, and edit in English, demonstrate strong collaborative skills, and exhibit robust relational capabilities.
Full working knowledge of internet-based and advanced word processing/spreadsheet applications including MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Powerpoint.
How to apply
To apply for this position, please email the application letter and CV/resume with at least three references to recruitment@asianfarmers.org by 30 January 2025.
Please write “Application for Market Linkage Officer” as the subject of your email. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted/notified.
APPLICATIONS SENT VIA FACEBOOK WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED.
—–
Job Title: Regional Data Editor (RDE) – Asia Focus
Location: Remote (with occasional in-person meetings for training and strategic sessions, with a valid passport)
About Us:
AFA is a regional alliance of national farmer organizations with wide membership across Asia. Our work is centered on promoting the rights, welfare, and development of small-scale family farmers farmers, fishers, indigenous peoples, pastoralists, and forest-users. through engagements in policy-making, advocating for land rights, sustainable agriculture, climate resiliency, and fostering youth and women inclusivity in agriculture.
Our organization is hosting the Land Matrix Initiative in Asia which is an open, global platform that provides detailed data and analysis on large-scale land acquisitions (often referred to as “land grabs”) around the world.
The platform tracks and visualizes land deals, focusing on land acquired for agricultural, commercial, and resource extraction purposes, with a special emphasis on foreign direct investments and how these acquisitions affect local communities, economies, and the environment.
Position Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Regional Data Editor (RDE) to join our team. The RDE will play a critical role in researching and compiling data related to large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) across Asia, focusing specifically on wind, solar, and carbon offset projects. You will be responsible for sourcing, verifying, researching, analyzing, and publishing data sets on LSLAs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct in-depth research on large-scale land acquisitions in Asia, with a focus on renewable energy projects such as wind farms, solar parks, and carbon offset initiatives.
- Utilize a variety of data sourcing strategies to gather relevant information from government reports, industry publications, databases, and other public and private sources.
- Analyze and synthesize complex data, ensuring accuracy and reliability of information.
- Plot and create accurate polygons representing land boundaries, using GIS tools to ensure precise spatial data representation for all land acquisitions and renewable energy projects
- Stay up-to-date with trends, policy/ regulatory changes, and technological advancements in the renewable energy sector.
- Occasionally attend in-person meetings, trainings, and strategic planning sessions. Qualifications: – Bachelor’s degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Data Science, or a related field.
- At least 3 years of experience in data research, analysis, or a similar role, preferably in the renewable energy or land sectors.
- Strong experience with research and data sourcing strategies, including both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Proficient in using data analysis tools and mapping (e.g., Excel, QGIS/ArcGIS, Google earth).
- Exceptional attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks in a remote work environment.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex data in a clear and concise manner.
- Experience in the renewable energy industry (wind, solar, carbon offset) is highly preferred.
- Fluency in English; additional Asian languages are a plus.
How to Apply:
Submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the position to Nikka Rivera, Land Rights and Young Farmers’ Agenda Coordinator, Asian Farmers’ Association at afanikka@asianfarmers.org.
____
Call for Volunteers
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on agriculture and supporting farmers in their vital work? We are a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering farmers and enhancing sustainable agriculture practices. We are currently seeking dedicated and creative volunteers to join our team and help us achieve our mission!
Opportunities for Volunteers:
Web Designers: If you have experience in creating visually appealing and user-friendly websites, we would love to have you on board to enhance our online presence and improve the overall user experience.
Multimedia Content Creators: If you have skills in video production, photography, or animation, we would love your expertise in creating engaging multimedia content to raise awareness about the challenges faced by farmers and the solutions we offer.
Copywriters: Are you a wordsmith with a passion for storytelling? As a copywriter, you will play a crucial role in crafting compelling narratives for our website, social media, newsletters, and press releases to inspire others to support our cause.
Graphic Designers: If you have a flair for visual communication and can design eye-catching graphics, logos, and promotional materials, your contribution can significantly boost our outreach efforts.
Why Volunteer With Us?
Make a Difference: Your skills and efforts will directly impact the lives of farmers and contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture.
Gain Experience: Volunteering with us offers an opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your portfolio, and make meaningful connections in the non-profit and agricultural sectors.
Collaborative Environment: Join a passionate and friendly team dedicated to creating positive change in the farming community.
Flexible Commitment: We value your time and understand your other commitments. Volunteer at your convenience and contribute based on your availability.
How to Apply:
To express your interest in volunteering with us, please send an email to afa@asianfarmers.org, including the following:
- Your Name and Contact Information
- Area of Expertise (e.g., web design, multimedia content creation, copywriting, graphic design)
- Briefly explain why you want to volunteer with our organization
- Portfolio or examples of your previous work (if applicable)
- Our team will review all applications and get in touch with selected candidates for further discussions.
This is an opportunity to share your talent and skills for a cause. As a volunteer, you will help us tell the stories of farmers, fishers, indigenous peoples, forest users, herders, pastoralists, and other smallholder food producers in Asia-Pacific and make their voices heard by creating interesting content for various media platforms.
This is a remote post so we are open to all individuals from all corners of the world who are interested in advocating for family farmers.