Online Volunteer for Cocoa Research

Job Posting Organization:
Morobe Development Foundation Inc. (MDF) is a prominent NGO established in Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. The organization is dedicated to empowering young individuals by harnessing their talents through community development initiatives. MDF's mission is to ensure equal participation of women in decision-making processes across various projects, particularly those aimed at ending violence against women and promoting human rights. The foundation collaborates with international volunteers and experts to conduct scientific research on environmental issues, including forest cover loss and biodiversity conservation. MDF operates with a management committee that includes diverse members to ensure inclusive governance and decision-making.

Job Overview:
The position of Online Volunteer is focused on conducting a comprehensive literature review on the unique cocoa species found in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. This literature review is a foundational step for a larger research project aimed at identifying and preserving these unique cocoa varieties, which is crucial for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation. The role of the Online Volunteers is vital in supporting these efforts, as their contributions will help identify and highlight the unique cocoa species in the region. This work is aligned with MDF's mission to support rural communities and contribute to sustainable development goals in agriculture and community development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Online Volunteers will be assigned specific tasks that include:

• Researching and summarizing the history and current practices of cocoa cultivation in Papua New Guinea to provide a national context for the study.
• Identifying and analyzing different cocoa species found in Madang Province, highlighting any unique or rare varieties and their characteristics.
• Acknowledging research gaps in the literature regarding cocoa studies in Madang and emphasizing the importance of further research in this area.
• Introducing the geographical and climatic conditions of Madang Province and discussing how these conditions may support unique cocoa varieties.
• Investigating the impact of local environmental factors, such as climate and soil conditions, on the growth and characteristics of cocoa species in Madang.
• Conducting a comparative analysis with other cocoa-growing regions to hypothesize about the types of cacao that might be found in Madang.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidates for this position should possess strong research skills, particularly in literature review and analysis. They should have a background or interest in agriculture, environmental science, or related fields. Familiarity with cocoa cultivation and biodiversity conservation is highly desirable. Additionally, volunteers should be self-motivated, able to work independently, and have good communication skills to collaborate effectively with the MDF team and other volunteers.

Educational Background:
Candidates should ideally have a degree or be pursuing a degree in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, biology, or a related discipline. Relevant coursework or experience in research methodologies and literature review processes will be beneficial for this role.

Experience:
While prior experience in cocoa research or agriculture is not mandatory, any relevant experience in conducting literature reviews, research projects, or working with NGOs will be considered an asset. Volunteers should demonstrate a willingness to learn and contribute to the research efforts of MDF.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as all research and communication will be conducted in English. Knowledge of Tok Pisin or other local languages would be advantageous but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This is an online volunteer position, allowing for flexible working hours. The duration of the volunteer engagement is not specified, but it is expected that volunteers will commit to completing their assigned tasks within a reasonable timeframe. This role is suitable for individuals looking to gain experience in research and contribute to meaningful community development initiatives.