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Ethiopia - Cooperative Development Advisor
3-6 months (In-country support)
Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: Ethiopia
Volunteer Mandate Title: Cooperative Development Advisor
Location: Abaya Woreda, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
Start Date: April 2026
Duration: 6 month or 3-month
Language Requirement: English (Mandatory);
Reporting to: Country Program Officer (CPO) – Ethiopia
The Project
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, particularly young women (target: 60% women and girls), in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Malawi. The project aligns with the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) action areas:
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Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls
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The Growth that Works for Everyone
The project enhances the capacities of cooperative unions, primary cooperatives, and supporting institutions to support inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth. It engages supporting institutions, such as cooperative apex organizations and regulatory agencies, to build capacity and improve service delivery for vulnerable groups.
Our Partner
The VOICE project in Ethiopia is implemented by the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) of Canada in partnership with Ethio-Wetlands and Natural Resources Association (EWNRA) and cooperative unions. EWNRA contributes to sustainable development in Ethiopia by enhancing poverty reduction, resilience building, and ecosystem productivity. The organization upholds values of equity, accountability, transparency, and sustainability.
Your Assignment
The Cooperative Development Advisor will support cooperative unions, primary cooperatives, and their members to improve governance structures, enhance operational resilience, and strengthen overall cooperative performance. The volunteer will work closely with cooperative union leadership, Boards of Directors (BOD), and cooperative managers to implement best practices in cooperative development, strategic planning, and member engagement.
Through need assessments, VOICE has identified gaps in governance, leadership, and member engagement. This assignment aims to build the capacity of cooperative unions and their members to sustain long-term viability and deliver improved services to their members.
Objectives
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Strengthen the operational efficiency and resilience of cooperative unions and primary cooperatives.
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Improve governance and leadership within cooperative institutions.
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Enhance the capacity of cooperative staff and BODs in cooperative principles and practices.
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Develop innovative strategies to improve service delivery and member engagement.
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Address and assess gender and inclusive gaps in cooperative governance.
Deliverables
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Facilitate mentoring and refresher training sessions for cooperative member
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Develop entrepreneurship tracking tool
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Support adoption of innovative production practice
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Facilitate peer learning and knowledge exchange sessions
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Strengthen youth and women leadership participation and duties and responsibilities of Coop leaders.
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Develop cooperative development toolkit
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Establish Coop peer mentorship model for sustainability
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Prepare cooperative exit and catch-up strategy report
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support mentoring of 770 cooperative members (462 women, 308 men), strengthen entrepreneurship skills, and ensure institutional sustainability through peer learning systems.
Key Deliverables
▪ Entrepreneurship tracking tool
▪ Mentorship completion report
▪ Cooperative development toolkit
▪ Peer mentorship model
▪ Exit and sustainability strategy
Your Qualifications
Education:
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Degree in Cooperative Development, Business Administration, Community Development, or a related field.
Experience:
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Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in cooperative development or community-based institutional strengthening.
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Expertise in developing and implementing capacity-building strategies for cooperative unions or community organizations.
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Experience in training cooperative BODs and management in governance, leadership, and strategic planning.
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Strong knowledge of cooperative systems and regulatory frameworks in Ethiopia.
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Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of Amharic or other local languages is an asset.
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Ability to work independently, set priorities, and solve problems proactively.
Terms and Conditions
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 ensuring effectiveness in the placement:
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Return international and domestic airfare.
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Ground transportation.
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Accommodation.
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Meal and incidental allowance.
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Visa-related costs (if needed).
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Travel insurance.
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Vaccination-related costs (if needed).
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Dedicated interpreter/translator (if required based on the assignment and duration).
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Pre-departure support and orientation.
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Support and orientation during the assignment.
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Debriefing upon completion of the assignment.
E-Volunteering
Depending on the nature of the assignment, volunteers are encouraged to provide e-volunteering support to local partners before or after their placement. Volunteers may also request support from an e-volunteer to assist them with their work while in placement.
Engaging Canadians
CDF Canada provides technical and logistical support to young and experienced professionals through volunteer assignments to apply and gain new skills and knowledge in international cooperative development. Volunteers are encouraged to share their experiences through storytelling, social media outreach, participating in events, or engaging in public discussions to inspire others to contribute to international development.