Summary
Description
The Project – VOICE for Women and Girls
The VOICE for Women and Girls project is a seven-year initiative (2020 – 2027) aimed at strengthening the performance of developing country partner (DCP) organizations to advance gender equality and economic empowerment of 50,000 women and men from marginalized communities, in particular young women (target: 60% women and girls), in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Malawi with a focus on action areas of the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), namely:
- Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls, and
- Growth that Works for Everyone.
The Project responds to the needs identified by women and men of cooperatives and the entire members in the countries of operation and is designed to increase the capacities of individual producers and primary co-operatives to support more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth. Supporting institutions, including apex co-operatives, co-operative colleges, and government/regulatory institutions will also be engaged to increase the capacity and prioritization of vulnerable groups.
The Partner you will work with
Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK) is a public institution that provides education and training with an emphasis on Cooperative development. The mission of the college was defined and stated as, a national training institute involved in the training personnel of co-operative societies and unions as well as middle cadre government officers who help in the supervision of activities of the movement on behalf of the Ministry in charge of Co-operative Development ( COCK Annual Report, 1983). CUK also works with small and medium entrepreneurs Co-operative Enterprises in Kenya to build their capacities and enhance their sustainability.
What you will do – Activities and deliverables
The Co-operative Development Advisor will be reporting directly to the Country Program Officer, who is coordinating all project activities at the country level. He/She is also expected to work hand in hand with the local partner Cooperative University of Kenya (CUK), the BOD and management of the credit Unions on regular basis. The Cooperative Development advisor is expected to host meetings and sessions with the Partner, the BOD, and the branch managers of the cooperatives to interact and collaborate to get project goals accomplished.
The cooperatives seek to improve on developing the needed processes (Co-operative model and philosophy, visionary leadership and governance, entrepreneurship development and conflict resolution strategies) to develop a clear measurable path of success for the co-operatives to grow the co-op’s financial and human resources. The intention is to position the co-op as a formidable business entity resilient to social and economic challenges and providing incentivized products and services to its members. VOICE has conducted needs assessment to identify the needs or the challenges of the co-op and developed a capacity building plan a strategy that allows us to focus on and provide support to improve their capacity to be able to provide innovative services to their members.
Objectives
The Volunteer is expected to work with SACCOs and multipurpose cooperatives and build the capacity of management, BOD of co-ops to provide innovative services that responds to the need of their members and primary co-operatives to support more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth. The capacity building initiatives will also target cooperative supporting institutions at community and Sub- County level as well as government/regulatory institutions to increase their capacity to be able to prioritize vulnerable groups to provide the needed support.
Deliverables
Co-op support
- Work with ACCOSCA and CDF-Canada Capacity building team to understand their capacity-building plans for the Identified SACCOs.
- Facilitate and/or co-facilitate in the training workshops as appropriate to capture the input and insight ACCOSCA SACCOs professionalism and the VOICE for women and girls project agenda.
- Continuous review of the SACCOs needs for training and capacity building.
- Design training outlines suitable for the partners and ToTs during the cascading period.
- Support the identification of new community ideas and the development of concept notes and SIF proposals.
- Self-reflective and aligned with CDF and ACCOSCA values.
- Other duties as assigned.
Project Management
- Plan, implement, report and monitor all program related information and share with the Country Program Officer
Training and development of training materials
- Develop training assessment tools and provide technical support in preparation of session plans on alternative livelihood for cooperatives and women thematic area as captured in capacity building plan or use available learning material to provide training for the cooperatives.
Your qualifications
Education:
- Degree or equivalent experience in business and strategic plans development, international development, or related field with a proven track record in cooperative development and engagement.
Experience:
- Experience and knowledge in developing and delivering session plans on Co-operative model, visionary leadership and governance, entrepreneurship development and conflict resolution strategies.
- Knowledge and skills in facilitation with understanding in adult learning methodologies
- Experience and knowledge of co-operatives. Proven experience in co-operative development in a developing country context will be an asset.
- A robust working knowledge of cooperative models and formal training at the same time.
- Experience and expertise within co-op could be used to compensate for formal education in the fields listed above.
- Excellent facilitation and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent capacity to analyze, develop recommendations and capture lessons learnt.
- Ability to travel to and possibly live in remote locations where services (internet) are minimal.
- Zealous about investing in women livelihoods and motivated by the prospects of innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Ability to work autonomously, be flexible and analytical
- Possess the ability to mentor, guide and assist ventures at the start-up phase
- Knowledge of community participation methodologies.
- Experience facilitating group learning/training sessions or focus groups.
- Demonstrated ability and interest in communicating and interacting effectively with people of a different culture.
- Must be able to work alone as well as with the local partner or with the BOD of the Cooperatives.
- Ability to transform complex concepts and information into plain simple language reports.
- Demonstrated experience working internationally, including rural and remote contexts.
Support package
This is a voluntary assignment. CDF Canada supports volunteers through the provision of a comprehensive package designed to cover a modest and healthy lifestyle, while allowing for effectiveness in the placement:
- Monthly allowance.
- Return-trip international and/or domestic airfare.
- Visa-related costs (if needed).
- International health insurance.
- Vaccination and health-related costs (if needed).
- Interpreter and/or translator (if needed and depending on the position and duration of the assignment).
- Pre-departure support and orientation.
- Support and orientation during the assignment.
- Debriefing upon completion of the assignment.
E-volunteering
Depending on the nature of the placement, volunteers are encouraged to provide e-volunteering support to our local partners before or after their placement.
Engaging Canadians
CDF Canada provides technical and logistical support to young and experienced professionals through volunteer assignments to apply and acquire new skills and knowledge in international co-operative development. We ask each volunteer, regardless of the duration of their mandate, to share their experience during and/or at the end of their assignment either in the country of assignment or in Canada. The experience can be shared by providing stories of human interest and photographs that can be used for social media outreach; Participate in events/conferences or other public engagement activities to share their experience to motivate others.
Application Process
Please submit a cover letter and CV/resume, by applying directly on our recruitment webpage. You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Successful candidates will be required to obtain a police-check from their local police or RCMP detachment. All applicants are thanked for their interest in CDF Canada; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
