Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada

Ethiopia - Technical Specialist (Specific to Coop and Partner) - Risk management

3-6 months (In-country support)

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Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: Ethiopia

Volunteer Mandate Title: Technical Specialist (Specific to Coop and Partner)- Risk management

Location: Abaya Woreda (District)
Duration: Three months to six months
Start Date: As soon as possible
Language Requirement: English (Mandatory)
Reporting to: Country Program Officer

The Project

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 marginalized communities, particularly young women (target: 60% women and girls), in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Malawi. The project aligns with the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) action areas:

Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls

The Growth that Works for Everyone

The project enhances the capacities of cooperative unions, primary cooperatives, and financial institutions to support inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth. It engages supporting institutions, such as cooperative apex organizations and regulatory agencies, to build capacity and improve service delivery for vulnerable groups.

Our Partner

The VOICE project in Ethiopia is implemented by the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF) of Canada in partnership with Ethio-Wetlands and Natural Resources Association (EWNRA) and cooperative unions. EWNRA contributes to sustainable development in Ethiopia by enhancing poverty reduction, resilience building, and ecosystem productivity. The organization upholds values of equity, accountability, transparency, and sustainability.

Your Assignment

The Risk Management Advisor will support cooperative unions, primary cooperatives, and their members to improve risk management systems and practices, strengthen governance structures, and enhance operational resilience. The volunteer will work closely with cooperative union leadership, Board of Directors (BOD), and cooperative managers to implement best practices in risk management, financial planning, and strategic decision-making.

Through needs assessments, VOICE has identified gaps in Book keeping, and cooperative governance. This assignment aims to build the capacity of cooperative unions and their members to sustain financial viability and deliver improved services to their members.

Objectives

Strengthen risk management and operational efficiency of cooperative unions and primary cooperatives.

Improve governance and leadership within cooperative financial institutions.

Enhance the capacity of cooperative staff and BODs in risk management.

Develop innovative risk management framework, systems, and strategies to improve resilience and growth.

Deliverables

The Risk Management Advisor will undertake the following key responsibilities:

Assess cooperative unions’ risk management processes and identify gaps in risk mitigation.

Develop and deliver training sessions for cooperative managers and BODs on risk management risk monitoring and reporting and risk mitigation and control.

Deliver training introducing modern bookkeeping systems e.g., Excel, Peachtree and others for Coop leaders in finance for SACCOs, MPCs, and Union

Assist cooperatives in strengthening credit management and loan tracking systems to minimize risks.

Facilitate peer-learning sessions among cooperative unions and document best practices for knowledge sharing.

Design/update training material on marketing and bookkeeping systems

Delivery training introducing modern bookkeeping systems e.g., Excel, Peachtree, etc., for Coop leaders in finance for SACCOs, MPCs, and Union

Your Qualifications

Education:

Degree in Business Administration or Management, Accounting, Economics, Statistics or a related field.

Experience:

Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in risk management, Finance and Audit, cooperative development, or business advisory.

Expertise in developing and implementing risk management strategies for cooperative unions or community-based financial institutions.

Experience in training cooperative BODs and management in governance, strategic risk management.

Strong knowledge of cooperative financial systems and regulatory frameworks in Ethiopia.

Experience in conducting financial risk assessments and advising on mitigation strategies.

Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.

Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

Ability to work independently, set priorities, and solve problems proactively.

Terms and Conditions

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 ensuring effectiveness in the placement:

Return international and domestic airfare.

Ground transportation.

Accommodation.

Meal and incidental allowance.

Visa-related costs (if needed).

Travel insurance.

Vaccination-related costs (if needed).

Dedicated interpreter/translator (if required based on the assignment and duration).

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 assignment, volunteers are encouraged to provide e-volunteering support to local partners before or after their placement. Volunteers may also request support from an e-volunteer to assist them with their work while in placement.

Engaging Canadians

CDF Canada provides technical and logistical support to young and experienced professionals through volunteer assignments to apply and gain new skills and knowledge in international cooperative development. Volunteers are encouraged to share their experiences through storytelling, social media outreach, participating in events, or engaging in public discussions to inspire others to contribute to international development.

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