Literature Review on Special Cocoa Species found in Madang, Papua New Guinea
Assist with conducting a comprehensive literature review on cocoa species in Madang Province.
Overview
Assist with conducting a comprehensive literature review on cocoa species in Madang Province.
You have:
- Preferably in agriculture, biology, environmental science, or a related field.
- Experience with academic research, including literature review, analysis, and synthesis of information.
- Ability to write clearly and concisely, with a focus on producing a professional and coherent literature review.
- Ability to critically assess the relevance and quality of research materials.
- Willingness to collaborate with other volunteers and contribute to a shared goal.
- PhD Students in agriculture or specifically in Cocoa are encouraged to apply.
Contract
This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.
We are seeking motivated and knowledgeable Online Volunteers to assist with conducting a comprehensive literature review on the special and rare cocoa species found in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. This literature review will form the foundation for a larger research project aimed at identifying and preserving unique cocoa varieties in the region, with potential implications for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation.
Online Volunteers' contribution will play a crucial role in supporting sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation efforts in Papua New Guinea by identifying and highlighting the unique cocoa species of Madang Province, in Papua New Guinea. The volunteers will help in laying down the groundwork for future research and conservation initiatives that could benefit local communities and the environment.
This online task with Online Volunteers will help MDF in advancing its mission to support and sustain rural communities in Papua New Guinea by giving in-depth knowledge on the quality of Cocoa they are growing, supporting the agriculture industry, and in the long run contributing to meet the SDG in the areas of agriculture and community development.
We will specifically assign the following tasks to Online Volunteers.
Volunteer 1 Overview of Cocoa Cultivation in Papua New Guinea: - Research and summarise the history, current practices, and overall landscape of cocoa cultivation in Papua New Guinea, providing a national context for the study.
Volunteer 2 Biodiversity of Cocoa Varieties in Madang Province: - Focus on identifying and analysing the different cocoa species found specifically in Madang Province. - Review the literature to highlight any unique or rare varieties and their characteristics. - Research Gaps: Acknowledge the lack of specific studies on Madang and emphasise the importance of conducting research in this area.
Volunteer 3 Geographic and Climatic Conditions of Madang: - Introduce Madang Province, focusing on its geographical and climatic conditions and why these might support unique cacao varieties.
Volunteer 4 Impact of Climate and Soil Conditions on Cocoa Varieties: - Investigate how local environmental factors, such as climate and soil conditions, affect the growth and characteristics of cocoa species in Madang Province. -Gather and Analyse literature connecting these factors to the success of specific cocoa varieties.
Comparison with Other Cocoa-growing Regions (Comparative Analysis): Use information from nearby regions or similar environments to hypothesise what types of cacao might be found in Madang.
The Online Volunteers should have: - Academic Background: Preferably in agriculture, biology, environmental science, or a related field. - Research Skills: Experience with academic research, including literature review, analysis, and synthesis of information. - Writing Skills: Ability to write clearly and concisely, with a focus on producing a professional and coherent literature review. - Attention to Detail: Ability to critically assess the relevance and quality of research materials. - Teamwork: Willingness to collaborate with other volunteers and contribute to a shared goal.
PhD Students in agriculture or specifically in Cocoa are encouraged to apply.
Potential interview questions
| Describe your past research experience in agriculture or environmental science. | Understanding your previous experience helps assess your suitability for conducting literature reviews. | Provide a concise overview of your research roles and the methodologies you utilized. |
| How would you approach summarizing the history of cocoa cultivation in Papua New Guinea? | This question evaluates your research skills and familiarity with the subject matter. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of a time you collaborated with a team on a research project? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Explain your understanding of biodiversity conservation and its importance in agriculture. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you use to critically assess the quality of research materials? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you plan to manage your time effectively while volunteering remotely? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What motivates you to volunteer for research in unique cocoa species? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Discuss the impact of climatic conditions on cocoa cultivation from your research perspective. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |