Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: Kenya

Marketing Advisor

Contribute. Discover. Grow. Volunteer with CDF Canada.

Eligibility criteria:   Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada 

Location:   Makueni, Kajiado, Machakos and 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 Partners 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 Marketing 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 SACCOs and Cooperatives on a regular basis. 

The Marketing Advisor will be working with Cooperatives to support them to identify any new challenges and opportunities for leaders to create sustainable, inclusive growth by implementing marketing strategies that respond to the need of their members and enable them to support more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth and ensure long-term competitiveness.

Objectives

The aim of this role is to support cooperatives and the local partner with a database of market opportunities in country as well as outside and initiate linkages that would enable them to make use of such opportunities. The role will support build the capacity of cooperatives to make informed decisions regarding marketing. Furthermore, the role will capacitate the cooperatives to provide support to their members to remain relevant and ensure added value. VOICE project will benefit from Marketing Advisor expertise to develop tailor-made trainings, targeting specific needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations.

Deliverables

• Liaise with cooperative managers/boards to understand marketing requirements.
• Plan and create advertising campaigns to meet marketing strategy requirements.
• Research and analyze data to identify and define audiences.
• Offer advice on the development of specific marketing strategies, including market share, distribution channels and product mix.
• Develop training materials on marketing and administer trainings to relevant local partner staff, cooperative members, leaders and management.
• Develop a market database for potential markets for different value chains cultivated by targeted producer cooperatives.
• Initiate market linkages between the producer cooperatives and market opportunities within and outside the country
• Facilitate validation workshops for co-operatives with input and commodity suppliers and buyers as well as relevant stakeholders.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders including government to develop a marketing landscape (including regulation) in Kenya.
• Participate in knowledge management sessions with volunteers across the VOICE implementing countries.
• 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 Marketing, Social Enterprise, Economics and/or any other related courses from a recognized institution.

Experience:

• Experience and expertise in supporting economic empowerment in marginalized communities.
• Strong understanding of marketing in development programs.
• 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.