Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada

Kenya - Technical Specialist (Credit Union and Co-op) - Loan Management and Credit Control Advisor

3-6 months (In-country support)

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Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: Kenya

Loan Management and Credit Control Advisor

Contribute. Discover. Grow. Volunteer with CDF Canada.

Eligibility criteria: Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Location: Makueni

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 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.

The Partner you will work with

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 Loan Management and Credit Control Advisor will report directly to the Country Program Officer, who oversees all project activities at the national level, and will work closely with the local partner, Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK), as well as the Boards of Directors and management teams of the targeted SACCOs in Makueni County.

The volunteer will collaborate with SACCO leadership to identify challenges and opportunities in loan management, credit administration, and financial risk management. Through technical support and advisory services, the volunteer will help strengthen internal credit systems, improve loan portfolio performance, and enhance the capacity of SACCOs to manage lending operations effectively.

Working closely with SACCO managers, credit committees, and board members, the Loan Management and Credit Control Advisor will support the development and implementation of sound credit policies, loan appraisal procedures, and monitoring systems. The role will contribute to improving financial sustainability, strengthening governance, and ensuring responsible and inclusive financial services for SACCO members, particularly women and vulnerable groups supported through the VOICE project.

Objectives

The objective of the Loan Management and Credit Control Advisor position is to strengthen the loan management and credit control systems of small SACCOs in Makueni County by enhancing their capacity to effectively manage lending portfolios, minimize loan default risks, and improve financial sustainability. The role will support SACCO leadership in developing and implementing sound credit management practices, including loan appraisal, monitoring, recovery strategies, and risk mitigation mechanisms. Additionally, the volunteer will build the capacity of SACCO managers, board members, and credit committees to make informed lending decisions and strengthen internal controls. Through VOICE project, the volunteer will also contribute to developing and delivering tailored training programs that respond to the needs of SACCOs serving vulnerable and marginalized populations, particularly women and youth.

Deliverables

The Loan Management and Credit Control Advisor is expected to carry out the following key duties and responsibilities:

Liaise with SACCO managers, Boards of Directors, and credit committees to assess existing loan management systems and identify areas for improvement.
Provide technical advice on the development or strengthening of SACCO credit policies, loan appraisal procedures, and credit risk management frameworks.
Support SACCOs in improving loan monitoring and recovery systems to reduce non-performing loans and strengthen portfolio quality.
Develop practical tools and templates for loan appraisal, loan tracking, and credit reporting for use by SACCO staff and leadership.
Develop and deliver training materials on loan management, credit control, and financial risk management for SACCO managers, credit committees, and board members.
Provide capacity-building support to strengthen internal controls and governance related to lending operations.
Support SACCOs in implementing strategies to promote responsible lending and borrowing practices among members.
Liaise with relevant stakeholders, including cooperative supporting institutions and local government actors, to strengthen the financial management ecosystem for SACCOs.
Participate in knowledge management sessions with volunteers across the VOICE implementing countries to share lessons and best practices.
Develop and share case studies and success stories with the Communications Advisor for social media and project communication purposes.
Complete and submit monthly reports and timesheets to the Country Program Officer.

Your qualifications

Education:

· A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Banking, Economics, Business Administration, Cooperative Management, or a related field from a recognized institution.

· Additional professional training or certification in credit management, microfinance, or financial risk management will be an added advantage.

Experience:

· At least 3–5 years of relevant experience in loan management, credit control, microfinance, or financial services.

· Demonstrated experience working with microfinance institutions or cooperative financial institutions.

· Experience in developing or reviewing credit policies, loan appraisal processes, and loan monitoring systems.

· Strong knowledge of credit management principles, financial risk assessment, and lending operations within financial cooperatives.

· Strong facilitation, mentoring, and training skills, with experience supporting capacity building for staff, boards, or committees.

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with cooperative leaders, staff, and members.

· Written and oral fluency in English.

· Demonstrated commitment to gender equality, inclusion, and empowerment of vulnerable and marginalized populations.

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.

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