The Rural Advisory Service (RAS) assists people in the rural areas of the Kyrgyz Republic through training, advice and facilitation of linkages between rural sector actors. RAS is locally organized and controlled by farmers. It enables practical solutions to overcome key constraints in crop production, including soil fertility, animal husbandry, marketing, processing and specific problems of the low-income rural population. 

In association with the German organization GIZ and other partners, in particular local schools, RAS organises Summer Courses for Professional Skills Development on agriculture and simple business economics. Interns would work on this project mainly in Southern Kyrgyzstan (KG), in the regions of Djalal-Abad, Batken and Osh.  These are located in the fertile Ferghana valley, bordering Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan and Uzbekistan, where the economy is dominated by agriculture and trade.

Interns would support the implementation of the courses which work with high school students (9th, 10th, 11th grades). This is a crucial group, as nearly half of Kyrgyz population is under 28. These students learn both improved agricultural practices and the basics of farm economics, and practical skills relevant for their entry into the labor market such as using computers, preparing CVs, writing applications.

Interns will be present at the courses and identify possibilities for improvement and expansion of the project. They are accompanying and monitoring the trainings, using a methodology that has already been developed. They may contribute additional topics to the courses.

Interns are required to speak Russian (at least one intern); Kyrgyz or Uzbek would be very welcome. Experience in education with students between 12 and 17, especially with a focus on teaching natural sciences and / or agriculture; or with a focus on vocational orientation / business skills is required. Alternatively, a background in agriculture / natural sciences or economics / business management with some experience in education would also be adequate.

Experience in planning and / or monitoring workshops where students plan and realize small projects would be an asset.

The scheduled time for the internship is from July to September 2012.Training and  seminars prior to the internship will be held in English. The tandem will be formed by a Slovak participant and a German/Swiss participant.