Co-operative Development Specialist – Cooperative Development Foundation of Canada

Job Description

Formed in 1947, the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF Canada) has focused its efforts on advancing self-reliant, member-owned co-operatives on a global scale. The strength of CDF Canada is grounded in its mission – Acting on Co-operative principles, we partner with communities to achieve sustainable economic and social development – and is at the heart of all strategic activities the organization undertakes. Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do! We recognize the immense value that different experiences and perspectives bring to our organization.

POSITION OVERVIEW 

CDF Canada implements projects to establish and grow community-owned cooperatives that help farmers achieve more prosperous, self-reliant lives. CDF Canada pursues the goal of increasing the economic performance of cooperative enterprises to improve the livelihoods of their members and contribute to building more inclusive and resilient communities. Over the years, CDF Canada has partnered with cooperatives across the world to improve their governance and help improve business performance in response to evolving cooperative ecosystems.

The Co-op Specialist will report directly to the Country Manager and will work closely with the Headquarters Project Manager and Co-op Development Specialist to effectively accomplish work plans.

The Co-operative Development Specialist (Co-op Specialist) plays a crucial role in advancing the organization’s commitment to sustainable international development by promoting and supporting the establishment and growth of co-operatives in targeted districts. The Co-op Specialist has a deep understanding of cooperative principles, excellent project management skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

The Co-op Specialist will monitor the cooperatives’ progress, milestones, and achievements over the program’s life and will be responsible for program administration, including progress reports. Critical to this position is a strong understanding of the cooperative business model and a background in working with cooperatives to strengthen their operations, management, financial and governance systems. The Co-op Specialist works in a non-traditional work environment with remote management and must be an effective communicator.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Co-operative Assessment and Identification

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of local communities to identify opportunities for cooperative development.
• Evaluate existing cooperatives and potential areas for establishing new cooperatives.

Capacity Building

• Coach cooperative board members and committees on their roles, responsibilities, and cooperative principles.
• Develop and deliver training programs in coordination with the local partners to enhance the skills and knowledge of cooperative members.
• Provide guidance on governance structures, financial management, and business planning for cooperatives.
• Lead cooperative business development process through key steps of cooperative principles.

Partnership Development

• Collaborate with local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to foster partnerships that support cooperative development.
• Establish and maintain relationships with international organizations working in the field of cooperative development.

Project Management

• Design and implement cooperative development projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and international development standards.
• Monitor project progress, evaluate outcomes, and make data-driven recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Supervise the collection, analysis, and management of data/knowledge to track program progress and provide recommendations for ongoing improvements.
• Assesses institutional capacity, business planning, financial management & documentation of cooperatives using the Development Ladder Assessment (DLA). This includes preparation of DLA report and action planning.
• Prepare reports, including recommendations (with benchmarks) and lessons learned that will inform and guide the sustainability of the coops.
• Assist and support Country Manager with work plan, budget, track progress and deliverables,
• Assist M&E process (PIP, Baseline, midterm and final evaluation activities) as required.

Policy Advocacy

• Stay informed about national and international policies related to cooperative development.
• Advocate for policies that support and enhance the legal and regulatory environment for cooperatives.

Knowledge Sharing

• Provide training and mentorship to the emerging cooperatives that CDF Canada are supporting which includes but is not limited to – Cooperative governance, operational management, business plan development, producer group operations, cooperatives membership roles and responsibilities, strategic business planning and financial models and linkages with input suppliers, service providers and produce buyers.
• Develop and disseminate best practices in cooperative development through workshops, publications, and other knowledge-sharing platforms.
• Contribute to the organization’s learning agenda by documenting lessons learned and success stories.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (preferred) in international development, cooperative management, business administration, or a related field.
• Proven experience (5 years) in cooperative development, preferably in an international context.
• Strong understanding of cooperative principles, governance, and management.
• Excellent project management skills, including planning, implementation, and monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong communication and training facilitation skills.
• High level of proficiency in written and oral English.

COMPETENCY & SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• Extremely organized and detail-oriented with a talent for multi-tasking.
• Excellent analytic skills.
• Information management – ability to maintain financial systems, database platforms, update information and prepare reports using relevant data.
• Must be resourceful, respond quickly to daily needs, and able to hit the ground running.
• Exceptional interpersonal and group process skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Headquarters and project field staff.
• Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, and trust.
• Good judgment and maturity, with an ability to identify and address organizational needs, make decisions, develop and justify recommendations, resolve conflicts and be responsive and clear with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Discretion and commitment to organizational reputation and confidentiality.

TO APPLY

We require all applications, including cover letters and resumes, to be submitted through CDF Canada’s web portal.

https://cdfcanada-coop.hiringplatform.ca/processes/183730-co-operative-development-specialist-lilongwe-office?locale=en

Application Deadline: Friday, July 19, 2024 4:00 p.m. CAT

Applicants must be Malawi Citizens or have legal authorization to work in Lilongwe, Malawi. Please note that we are unable to provide visa assistance or offer relocation support for this position.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview, and unsolicited communication will not be accepted.

CDF Canada is committed to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, or age.