More on the New Assignment

Here’s a nice overview of the MCA-Armenia program, from a brochure entitled “From Reliable Irrigation to Profitable Agriculture”: Over the 5 year period (September 2006-September 2011) the Millennium Challenge Account - Armenia (MCA-Armenia) program expects to benefit more than 420,000 rural residents in around 350 communities across Armenia by refurbishing major sections of the country's main canal systems, modernizing some of the most urgently needed pumping stations, introducing new gravity irrigation schemes, re-building tertiary canals and restoring sections of the Ararat Valley Drainage system. The MCA-Armenia program is also training nearly 45,000 farmers in improved farming practices, delivering technical assistance to water supply institutions and providing 8.5 million USD in credit to farmers and small agribusinesses in support of the program objectives. Millennium Challenge Corporation's investment of nearly USD 180 million in the irrigation and agricultural sectors of Armenia is critical to the development of the country's agriculture and overall economy and the livelihoods of farmers and agribusinesses.

And from the position description given to Peace Corps, the rationale for the assignment: The Program is in the fifth and final year of implementation and at this point of time presenting program results, achievements, successes and ensuring Program sustainability have become the key focuses of MCA-Armenia. In the remaining months of the Program, marketing of Program results, successes and achievements through an efficient, creative and innovative Public Relations campaign is of paramount importance for the Program. In particular, as other donors and private organizations learn about the program they may be able to incorporate and sustain many of the programs initiatives. MCA-Armenia staff can benefit from a PC Volunteer with experience in Western type marketing and PR operations areas.

My duties and responsibilities: Revising any written materials that MCA-Armenia drafts for PR/Marketing purposes including press releases, success stories, brochures, MCA-Armenia quarterly bulletins and other promotional material; Supporting MCA-Armenia PR team with development of success stories, drafting of press releases, writing articles for the MCA-Armenia quarterly bulletin and other promotional materials; Helping MCA-Armenia identify new and creative ways of promoting the program and ensuring its further sustainability in general.

Comments: I learned last week that MCA-Armenia is getting more attention than it expected, as agriculture is becoming more of a priority for the government. Rising prices, a bad crop last year, and upcoming elections are giving it a higher-profile. I started reading my stack of materials today and for the most part I am impressed with the activity of MCA-Armenia and with its communications. I did find some typos and some wordsmithing I would have done, so I will definitely have work! Also – I can walk to work! Peace Corps is in one direction, Homeland Handicrafts another, and MCA-Armenia is in a third direction – it may be closest to where I live of the three. I’ll get to know lunch places in yet another part of town. And I hope to be able to continue to work out of the Peace Corps office or at home at least two days a week – or, even better, to join the nearby hotel pool and add working out, rather than work, to my tutoring days!