Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: Kenya

Environmental Advisor - Kenya

Contribute. Discover. Grow. Volunteer with CDF Canada.

Eligibility criteria: Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Location: Makueni, Kajiado and Narok

Start Date: Exact timing will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Duration: 3-6 months 

Language Requirement: English (Mandatory)

Reporting to: Country Program Officer

VOICE for Women and Girls (VOICE)

VOICE for Women and Girls, funded by the government of Canada, is a volunteer cooperation program (2020 – 2027) that aims to strengthen the performance of country partner organizations to advance gender equality and economic empowerment of 50,000 co-operative and credit union members from marginalized communitiesin Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi.The program strives to address the challenges and barriers that adversely affect the economic and social well-being of vulnerable groups, with particular emphasis on women and girls. VOICE aims to respond to the needs identified by these groups and to increase the capacities of individual producers and primary co-operatives, to support more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth. Supporting institutions such as apex co-operatives, co-operative colleges, and government/regulatory bodies will also be engaged to increase the capacity and prioritization of vulnerable groups.

The Partners you will work with

The African Confederation of Co-operative Savings and Credit Association (ACCOSCA)

The African Confederation of Co-operative Savings and Credit Association (ACCOSCA) is a Pan-African confederation of national associations of savings and credit cooperatives societies. Having been established in Kenya by Co-operative leaders from across the continent in 1968, ACCOSCA has worked with various stakeholders in promoting the usage of the Co-operative Business model in a manner that would organically contribute towards the stimulating economic growth and development of a Country. Since its revitalization program at the Malawi General assembly in 2007, ACCOSCA has been leading the continent toward promoting financial inclusion in the local communities.

Currently, ACCOSCA has developed programs aimed at empowering and promoting cooperatives in Africa and is collaborating with various government bodies, development agencies and research institution in her service delivery to promote financial inclusion in Africa. Overall ACCOSCA aims at: Promoting the establishment of an institutional framework for mobilizing personal saving and credit cooperatives,

Capacity Building, Technical Assistance, Information exchange, and Research on topical issues and addressing them amicably.

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 Environmental Advisor will be reporting directly to the Country Program Officer, who is coordinating all program 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 SACCOs and co-operatives on a regular basis. The volunteer is expected to host meetings and sessions with the partner, the BOD, and the branch managers of the co-operatives to interact and collaborate to get program goals accomplished.

The volunteer will work with the VOICE program team to support implementation of the environmental sustainability strategy and provide advisory to the team. The mandate will be key in establishing the proper adaptation tools and system with the implementing partners and the field staff.

Objectives

The aim of this role is to support co-operatives to learn new and improved methods of environmental adaptation which will help them to preserve the soil, conserve water and mitigate the impact of climate change. You will identify training needs of co-operatives and train their members using a Training of Trainers approach and support the co-ops to cascade the training in their co-operative.. You will work closely with other volunteers to ensure the use of environmentally friendly methodologies in all training activities.

Deliverables

· The volunteer will be responsible for providing training and guidance on best environmental practices to volunteers, the co-op development facilitators, co-op managers and the institutions that support co-op development to enhance environmental conservation.

· Support in the development and implementation of policies and procedures that align with environmental sustainability.

· Develop environmental adaptation tools and system with the implementing partners and project staff.

· Develop training materials and conduct training sessions to educate co-operative leadership and members on environmental sustainability and best practices.

· Monitor the co-operatives’ activities to ensure ongoing interventions that align with environmental sustainability.

· Have exceptionally good understanding of proposal writing and development to be able to apply for financial support from the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF).--

· Share knowledge with the partner to help to improve the technical understanding of environmental sustainability.

· Prepare and submit weekly deliverables to the program officer and discuss what you require to complete those tasks.

· Complete monthly reports and timesheets.

· Develop and share case studies, success stories with communications advisor for social media content that communicates the program’s activities and its impact on the co-operative members.

Your qualifications

Education:

· Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Climate change or other equivalent qualifications.

Experience:

· Experience in environmental strategy development, understanding of integrated environmental strategy, water conservation and climate change and adaptation.

· Experience in developing concept notes and proposals for small grants.

· Work experience within co-operatives will be an asset.

· Well-developed presentation, report writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.

· Ability to carry out training and capacity building sessions at the community level with understanding of adult learning methodologies.

· 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:

· Return-trip international and/or domestic airfare.

· Visa-related costs (if needed).

· International health insurance.

· Vaccination and health-related costs (if needed).

· Modest monthly living allowance.

· 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.