Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: Kenya

Co-operative Development Advisor (Environment, Social and Governance)

Contribute. Discover. Grow. Volunteer with CDF Canada.

Eligibility criteria:   Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Location:   Nairobi

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 Program – VOICE for Women and Girls

The African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA) is a Pan-African membership organization that brings together national associations of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) across the African continent. Established in 1968, ACCOSCA serves as the continental voice and representative body for the SACCO movement in Africa.

ACCOSCA works to strengthen cooperative financial institutions by providing capacity building, technical assistance, policy advocacy, and knowledge-sharing platforms for its member organizations. The Confederation promotes the adoption of best practices in governance, risk management, and financial sustainability within the SACCO sector. Through strategic partnerships, training programs, research initiatives, and continental forums, ACCOSCA supports the growth and resilience of SACCOs and advances financial inclusion across Africa.

What you will do – Activities and deliverables

The Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Advisor will be reporting directly to the Country Program Officer, who is coordinating all project activities at the country level. He/She is also expected to work hand in hand with the local partner ACCOSCA, the BOD, and management of SACCOs and Cooperatives regularly. The ESG advisor is expected to host meetings and sessions with the partner, the BOD, and SACCO Managers to collaborate and achieve project goals.

The ESG advisor will be working with SACCOs and Cooperatives to support them in identifying any new challenges and opportunities for leaders to create sustainable, inclusive growth by implementing ESG strategies that increase financial, societal, and environmental impact as well as ensure long-term competitiveness.

Objectives

The objective of the Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Advisor is to lead and coordinate activities that enhance the capacity of SACCO project partners and Boards of Directors to champion ESG integration. This includes supporting capacity building for all employees, executives, and board members through tailored training and guidance, establishing a comprehensive operating model to achieve ESG goals, complete with necessary talent, tools, and reporting infrastructure, and ensuring the alignment of the SACCO’s mission and operations with ESG principles. The advisor is also responsible for guiding the definition of sustainable business practices and embedding ESG considerations into governance and day-to-day decision-making processes.

Deliverables

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

·        Design and implement training programs for SACCO employees, executives, and board members to build understanding and skills in ESG principles and practices.

·        Develop a structured framework to guide ESG implementation, including identifying talent, tools, and infrastructure required for effective execution.

·        Facilitate processes and initiatives that help SACCOs achieve their ESG objectives, ensuring integration across all departments and operations.

·        Guide SACCOs in aligning their strategic mission and operations with ESG standards, ensuring coherence between values, policies, and practices.

·        Assist in defining sustainable business practices and embedding them into governance and day-to-day decision-making across the SACCOs.

·        Build systems for tracking, measuring, and reporting ESG outcomes to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.

·        Coordinate with project partners and the Board of Directors to foster support, collaboration, and shared responsibility in ESG implementation.

·        Assist ACCOSCA in developing ESG resources, including training materials and templates for SACCOs.

·        Researching ESG and climate regulations and providing recommendations around implementation and disclosure in the Co-operative movement.

·        Support the identification of new community ideas and the development of concept notes and SIF proposals.

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

·        Complete monthly reports and timesheets and submit to the CPO and volunteer coordinator.

·        Develop and share case studies, success stories with the communications advisor for social media content that communicates the project’s activities, outputs, and/or outcomes. 

 Your qualifications

Education:

·        Degree with a focus on social enterprise, Environmental Management, sustainable finance, international development, and/or any other related courses from a recognized institution.

Experience:

·        Experience and expertise in ESG investing, impact investing, or sustainable finance.

·        Strong understanding of ESG policies, procedures, metrics, standards, and Scope 1, 2, and 3 calculations across sectors

·        Strong ability to take initiative with research and analysis and produce valuable results in conditions of uncertainty.

·        Experience working in the cooperative sector.

·        A sense of proportionality in determining practical approaches to requirements with a focus on substantive value add and beneficiaries.

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

·        Ability to train and facilitate capacity-building sessions at community levels.

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

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.