Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: Malawi

Credit Union Marketing Advisor

Contribute. Discover. Grow. Volunteer with CDF Canada.

Eligibility criteria:   Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada 

Location:   Lilongwe, Zomba

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

Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada is working with Malawi Federations of Cooperatives (MAFECO) the national apex body for co-operatives. MAFECO aims to be a vibrant and sustainable national cooperative organization capable of providing quality leadership and services to the cooperative movement in Malawi. The organization has a vision to facilitate and coordinate promotion, development and growth of sustainable, independent and autonomous cooperatives in a competitive environment.

What you will do – Activities and deliverables

Following the needs assessment under the VOICE project in Malawi, one of the critical areas that cooperatives need immediate attention is on marketing of their products and services. In reference to the capacity building plan for the project that was developed in collaboration with the local partner MAFECO, the project requires a volunteer in marketing to support on this capacity gap. The project is therefore looking for two volunteers to fill the post, one to be based in the central region (Lilongwe) and the other to be based in the southern region (Zomba). 

The marketing volunteers will be reporting to the country program officer. The volunteer will be expected to work hand in hand with the local partner in supporting the cooperatives.

Objectives

The Volunteer is expected to support and build the capacity of the local partner and targeted credit unions/SACCOs to provide innovative products and services that respond to the need of their members. The aim of this role is to support credit unions in reviewing their marketing and development strategies, and development of marketing innovations. The volunteer will support credit unions/SACCOs to improve their capacity in making informed marketing decisions.  

Deliverables

• Liaise with Credit Union/SACCO managers/boards to understand marketing requirements
• Support credit union/SACCO in conducting market research and use the information to identify better markets
• Conducting promotional activities.
• Keep abreast of technological and digital advances related to marketing
• Offer advice towards 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, credit Union/SACCO leaders and management
• Develop a market database for potential markets for different value chains cultivated by targeted producer cooperatives
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders including government to develop a marketing landscape (including regulation) in Malawi
• Participate in knowledge management sessions with volunteers across the VOICE implementing countries
• Document/Capture and share success stories
• Support credit Unions/SACCOs in the development and implementation of advertising campaigns and other marketing activities.

Your qualifications

Education:

• Degree in marketing, communications, or other related fields.

Experience:

• Progressive and relevant experience in a marketing role.
• Proven work experience in marketing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Solid knowledge of market research techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of social media and web analytics.
• Willingness to work with cooperatives in the rural set-up.
• Solid understanding of research techniques
• Understanding/knowledge of market issues for smallholder farmers marketing outside Canada.

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 living 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.