Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: Kenya
Leadership and Governance Advisor
Contribute. Discover. Grow. Volunteer with CDF Canada.
 
Eligibility criteria:   Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada 
Location:   Makueni, Kajiado, Narok, 
Start Date:   Exact timing will be negotiated with the successful candidate.
Duration:   3-6 months, in-country and online support
Language Requirement:   English (Mandatory)
Reporting to:   Country Program Officer
 
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 marginalised 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)
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 Leadership and Governance 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 CUK, the BOD and management of the cooperatives on a regular basis. The volunteer is expected to work in different locations (indicated above), where the cooperatives are based to train, mentor and coach them and monitor their progress.

Objectives
The aim of this role is to support interventions that will lead to improved capacity of BOD and cooperative managers in leadership and management skills to enable them drive positive change as leaders. The Leadership and Governance Advisor will gear interventions that will lead to improved transparency and accountability to enable them to provide better services to their members. You will provide analysis and advice to enable the cooperatives to develop appropriate governance policies and strategic plans. VOICE project will benefit from the Advisor’s expertise to develop tailor-made trainings, targeting specific needs of the cooperatives and their members. 

Deliverables
The desired Leadership and Governance Advisor is expected to carry out the following key duties and responsibilities:
•    Competently assess cooperatives’ needs for capacity development in leadership and governance through review of their records and policies and provide advice.
•    Advise cooperatives management and BOD on corporate governance principles and the implementation of governance programs and risk management frameworks. 
•    Support in development, implementation and maintenance of governance, risk and compliance policies, processes and procedures.
•    Coordinate the development and implementation of leadership and governance capacity building interventions for cooperatives. 
•    Develop workshop materials or tailor existing materials to meet the needs of the coop members in Leadership and Governance.
•    Keep the cooperatives management and BOD abreast of leadership, management and accountability developments and related key performance indicators of cooperatives.
•    Respond to co-ops’ Management queries regarding leadership and governance to enhance their knowledge and skills. 
•    Prepare and submit weekly deliverables to the program officer and discuss what you require to complete those tasks.
•    Complete monthly reports and times sheets and submit to the CPO and volunteer coordinator.
•    Develop and share case studies, success stories with communications advisor for social media content that communicates the project’s activities, outputs and/or outcomes. 

Your qualifications:
Education:
•    Degree with a focus on Public Policy and Administration, International Relations, Strategic Management, Governance and Development Studies, Finance, Economics and/or any other related courses from a recognized institution.
•    Understand governance evidence, policy, and practice in a range of settings.
Experience:
•    Experience in developing and implementing leadership and governance education for different levels of organizations or corporates.
•    Experience working with cooperatives is an asset.
•    Proven interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally with diverse people, clients and Managers.
•    Well-developed presentation, proposal, and report writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
•    Ability to carry out training and capacity building sessions at the community level.
•    Commitment to upholding the organization’s values and principles of CDF and CUK.

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.