Support farmers to build sustainable livelihoods and climate resilient agribusiness

The Cooperativa de Credito Union Initiative Haburas Comunidade, through Palms International Volunteering, is seeking an Agribusiness Mentor to help farmers, youth, and women develop practical agribusiness skills. Your mentoring will support communities to move from subsistence farming toward sustainable, income generating livelihoods.

This role is ideal for someone passionate about agriculture, enterprise development, and community led economic growth.

What you’ll do

First few weeks – Learn, observe, and build trust

• Learn local language, cultural norms, and farming context with support from a local mentor.
• Observe existing practices and document strengths and community assets.
• Avoid recommending changes during this period; focus on understanding local approaches.

Ongoing responsibilities

Build agribusiness capacity

• Knowledge Transfer & Training
• Design and deliver workshops on sustainable farming and agribusiness management.
• Share practical knowledge in crop management, livestock care, and climate smart farming.
• Introduce modern techniques such as digital tools and precision farming.

Business & Market Guidance

• Support farmers with record keeping, budgeting, and financial literacy.
• Help farmers understand value chains, pricing, and market opportunities.
• Provide advice on marketing strategies, including digital promotion.

Resilience & Sustainability

• Promote practices that reduce environmental impact and build climate resilience.
• Support diversification, including agritourism and value added products.
• Help farmers access government programs, grants, and cooperative opportunities.

Mentoring & Community Engagement

• Provide one on one and group mentoring to build confidence and leadership.
• Strengthen collaboration among farmers, local leaders, and organisations.
• Document progress and stories of change to support long term learning.

What you’ll bring

• Qualifications in Agribusiness, Agriculture, or Rural Development.
• Experience in enterprise development, budgeting, and marketing.
• Knowledge of crop and livestock management and value chain analysis.
• Understanding of climate smart and sustainable farming practices.
• Strong training, mentoring, and community engagement skills.
• Patience, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity.
• Commitment to serve for 12 months with limited resources.

What you’ll gain

• Deep cultural immersion in a rural Timorese farming community.
• The opportunity to strengthen livelihoods and build climate resilience.
• Professional experience in cross cultural agribusiness development.
• Contribution to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships).

About the Cooperativa de Credito Union Initiative Haburas Comunidade (SHC) The HSC is a community driven credit union in Vemasse that focuses on strengthening sustainable livelihoods by empowering farmers, youth, women, and local workers through training, collaboration, and practical skills development.

About Palms International Volunteering For 65 years, Palms International Volunteering has supported skilled Australians to live and work alongside communities in the Asia-Pacific. Our volunteers don’t ‘fix’ problem - they build relationships, strengthen local capacity, and walk with communities striving for dignity and opportunity. These are ‘solidarity placements’. Accommodation and a small stipend is provided, as well as preparation and ongoing support.

The focus is on living as a true neighbour to learn, and to establish an effective mentoring role. This is the basis for lasting capacity building in the community. It is also a chance for you to step out of the rush and reconnect with what matters through a deep cultural immersion and genuine community relationships.