Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: Kenya
Financial Management 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 Financial Management 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 partners ACCOSCA and 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 cooperatives to improve their services and develop innovative approaches that will enable them to provide better services to their members. The role will capacitate the cooperatives to review their financial policies for them to meet their members’ expectations.  The Financial Management advisor is expected to play a leading role in financial data analysis that allows him/her to offer Co-operatives’ management and BOD advice on dividend-maximizing ideas. Additionally, the volunteer will provide strategic advice on a range of financial products and services by assessing the cooperatives’ financial situations, developing personalized financial plans, and guiding them in making profitable and secure decisions. 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 Financial Management Advisor is expected to carry out the following key duties and responsibilities:
•    Competently assess cooperatives’ financial situations through review of their accounts, credit reports, tax returns, etc. and provide advice.
•    Support co-ops management in resolving financial challenges in case of any, while providing a wide lens on their financial health to shift the approach to proactive financial management.
•    Support cooperatives to ensure accounting practices are followed and that the accounts comply with appropriate accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
•    Advise on financial risk management policies.
•    Develop workshop materials or tailor existing materials to meet the needs of the coop members in Financial Management.
•    Conduct financial Management coaching to cooperatives through one-on-one, or small-group sessions and advise them on how to document and file both financial and asset records.
•    Mentor cooperatives to document results, conduct accurate measurements, and generate outcome reports.
•    Assist with the business planning process by modelling financial and member data.
•    Respond to co-ops’ Management queries regarding financial Management 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 Business, Finance, Economics, Business Management and/or any other related courses from a recognized institution.
Experience:
•    Experience in developing and implementing financial education for community-based organizations is required.
•    Experience working with cooperatives is an asset.
•    Knowledge of financial literacy and counseling issues; and budgeting/debt reduction, problem-solving and intervention strategies.
•    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, ACCOSCA 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.