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.

What you will do – Activities and deliverables

The ICT Advisor will report directly to the Country Program Officer (CPO), who coordinates all project activities at the country level. The Advisor will work closely with primary cooperatives supported by the VOICE Project to strengthen their use of technology, digitize operational processes, and improve member engagement.

VOICE Project works with primary cooperatives that rely on manual and labor-intensive systems, which limit their ability to provide quality services to members and to promote their products effectively. The Advisor will support cooperatives to move from these manual processes to digital systems, data management platforms, and interactive applications that enable members to perform certain transactions, enhance managerial efficiency, and improve the visibility and marketing of cooperative products.

Objectives

The primary cooperatives aim to improve operational efficiency, data integrity, service delivery, and market presence through the adoption of digital systems. This includes developing accounting and data management tools that facilitate standardized bookkeeping, generate financial reports, and create an audit trail to enhance compliance with regulatory requirements.

Additionally, cooperatives seek to enhance the visibility and marketing of their products and services, leveraging digital platforms, online marketing tools, and interactive applications to reach members and the wider community. The ICT Advisor will support cooperatives in building multi-user, mobile-friendly systems that allow the cooperative staff to perform transactions on mobile devices, synchronize data securely, and manage marketing efforts effectively. These systems should ensure data security and integrity, provide intuitive interfaces for cooperative staff and members, and include tools that support product promotion and member engagement.

Deliverables

The desired ICT Advisor is expected to carry out the following key duties and responsibilities:

·        Assess current accounting systems, operational processes, and digital presence of primary cooperatives to identify ICT capacity gaps and inefficiencies.

·        Design, improve, or develop user-friendly accounting, management, and digital marketing systems tailored to the needs of cooperatives and their members.

·        Develop concept notes and proposals for the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to support IT capacity-building, acquisition of equipment, and marketing tools.

·        Provide training and technical support to cooperative staff on the newly developed systems to ensure effective use and adoption.

·        Implement digital solutions to enhance the visibility and marketing of cooperative products and services, including website management, social media integration, and mobile applications.

·        Ensure that all developed systems are secure, scalable, and maintainable, supporting multi-user access, mobile functionality, and marketing capabilities.

·        Document success stories, case studies, and lessons learned, and collaborate with the communications advisor to share project achievements via appropriate media channels.

Your qualifications

Education:

·        Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Software Development, Computer Programming, or a related field.

Experience:

·        Experience in Management Information Systems (MIS), database development, and software solutions.

·        Knowledge in programming languages such as JavaScript and other relevant platforms.

·        Experience in designing multi-user, secure, mobile-friendly applications.

·        Experience in digital marketing, product visibility, or e-commerce platforms is an added advantage.

·        Knowledge of cooperatives and their operational and marketing needs is an asset.

·        Strong skills in report writing, communication, presentation, and interpersonal relations.

·        Ability to deliver training and capacity-building sessions through coaching and mentorship at the community and institutional levels.

·        Commitment to upholding the values and principles of CDF and CUK.