The VOICE for Women and Girls project is an eight-year initiative (2020 – 2028) 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 marginalized 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 all members in the countries of operation, and it 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, are also engaged to increase capacity and prioritize vulnerable groups.

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 of 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.

The Communications Advisor will report directly to the Country Program Officer, who coordinates all project activities at the country level. The Advisor will also work closely with the local partners, CUK and ACCOSCA, on all communication and visibility-related activities.

The Advisor is expected to be based at the project sites to document project activities and outcomes for publication across various communication platforms. Working directly with local partners and participating cooperatives, the Advisor will support the review and updating of the country communications plan and contribute to increasing the visibility of the project and its partners at the national level through digital and traditional communication channels, including social media platforms such as X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

In addition, the Communications Advisor will support primary cooperatives, particularly those operating in marginalized and underserved areas, to enhance their visibility and communication capacity. This will include assisting cooperatives to strengthen their social media presence by advising them on how to improve and manage their social media handles, developing simple content plans, and providing guidance on creating engaging and consistent digital content that highlights their services, activities, and community impact.

Objectives

The Volunteer will contribute to the overall communications and visibility of the project by documenting project activities, capturing impact stories, and producing communication content that highlights key achievements, lessons learned, and the impact of the initiative. The Volunteer will also support fellow volunteers in documenting and sharing their experiences and volunteer journeys during their assignments in Kenya, helping to raise awareness of the volunteer program and promote greater understanding of international development among Canadian audiences. Additionally, the Volunteer will support and train primary cooperatives, particularly those in underserved areas, to strengthen their communication practices and enhance their visibility, including improving their use of social media and other communication platforms to better showcase their activities and impact.

Deliverables

• Support the review and implementation of the country-level project communications plan and guide target cooperatives in strengthening their own communication and visibility.
• Develop, write, edit, and disseminate communication materials and content, including publications, case studies, success stories, press releases, website content, and social media posts that highlight project activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact.
• Support the establishment, improvement, and management of social media platforms (e.g., X, Facebook, and LinkedIn) to enhance the visibility of the project and participating cooperatives.
• Train and mentor primary cooperatives to strengthen their communication capacity and enhance their visibility, including improving their social media presence and digital storytelling.
• Document program-related information and share relevant updates and communication outputs with the Country Program Officer.
•  Maintain regular communication with the Country Program Officer, partner focal points, and cooperative representatives to gather relevant information and updates on project activities.
• Prepare and submit regular updates on deliverables and progress to the Country Program Officer.
• Prepare and submit required monthly reports and timesheets to the Volunteer Coordinator.

Your qualifications

The successful applicant must possess the following skills, experiences, and personal characteristics:

Education:

·        Degree in communications, journalism, or related field from a recognized institution.

Experience:

·        Experience in group facilitation and training 

·        A commitment to gender equality, youth inclusion, and international volunteering.

·        Proficiency in design and publishing software.

·        Proficient in Microsoft Office, content management systems, and social media platforms.

·        Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills, and cultural sensitivity 

·        Excellent organizational and report-writing skills in English

·        Ability to work with a diverse team and stakeholders and experience managing internal teams toward a common objective.

·        Ability to develop training and resource materials as well as facilitate capacity building sessions at community levels and partners in development work.

·        Ability to work with the marginalized, be flexible to travel to and work with the rural cooperatives, remain cool-headed when there are unexpected challenges and         withstand the tests of a rapidly changing environment with resilience and resolve.

·        Proactive self-starter with the ability to work independently; need strong ability to set priorities, solve problems, and be resourceful under pressure.