Heifer is hiring a
Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified
applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,
religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, status as a
protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual
with some form of specially-abled.
FUNCTION:
The Cooperative Development Manager is responsible for ensuring the successful,
efficient, and effective functioning of all cooperatives in the program. This includes
providing support needed for co-ops to form themselves into business hubs (member
services, governance, management, marketing, finance, etc.). The Manager also helps
to ensure the capacity building of cooperatives’ principles, values, and business
development in collaboration with the signature program team. He/she will be assigned
to lead the Regional Office in the field and will provide leadership for the
implementation, monitoring, and quality assurance of the program.
RESPONSIBILIIES AND DELIVERABLES: (including approximate percentage
effort)
Cooperative Development (45%)
Lead in formulating the cooperative development strategy for signature
programs.
Update and implement policies, procedures, and systems for cooperative
development in alignment with Heifer’s signature program strategy.
Facilitate and monitor pre-cooperative orientation activities in the self-help
groups (SHGs) and clusters of SHGs as they develop into cooperatives and
unions.
Support in facilitating SHGs in the formation of primary cooperatives and support
in the registration process.
Facilitate the capacity building of cooperative/union governing board and
management in effective and efficient decision making, financial management,
human resource management, operation and strategic planning and
implementation, conflict management, and democratic governance.
Monitor, support and backstop the cooperatives/unions for effective functioning.
Build relationships with external agencies (public and private), and facilitate
engagement with similar organizations (unions, federations).
Lead and support the annual CAT.
Cooperative Business (40%)
Support co-ops in formulating short- and long-term strategies and bankable
business plans and ensure their effective implementation.
Support co-ops to ensure the cooperative-owned business hubs are appropriately
linked to the markets and functioning sustainably.
Support Catalytic Leverage Funds mobilization and investment for sustainable
growth of co-ops’ agri-enterprises.
Work with the signature program team to develop cooperatives as business hubs
with backward and forward linkages into the entire value chain.
o Support in developing business relationships with financial institutions,
banks, and other value chain actors.
o Support in business developing services (BDS) to co-op members (finance,
inputs, training, and support services).
o Support in increasing the business transactions of FOABs (volume and
value of services and transactions-purchase sales, through FOAB).
o Support in branding and marketing services to co-ops (selling quality
products and services, promotion, distribution, bulking, and branding).
Training and Capacity Building (15%)
Develop and deliver training packages/modules for project partners, primary
cooperatives, cooperative unions, and federations.
Develop guidelines for the formation, management, and governance of
cooperatives.
Facilitate cooperatives in the orientation of new non-Heifer members to have a
fuller understanding of co-op principles and values.
Guide co-ops in conducting periodic PSRP and reinforcing values.
Facilitate cross-learning among cooperatives and encourage the adaptation of
best practices.
May perform other job-related duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:
Bachelor’s degree in sociology, agriculture economics, community development,
business management, enterprise development, or related field, plus seven (7)
years of related experience OR Master’s degree plus five (5) years of related
experience.
A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the field of cooperative
development, agriculture/livestock value chains including access to finance.
Knowledge of training individuals and teams using participatory methodologies.
Knowledge of and experience with or within community organizations.
Fluent in national language and English, spoken as well as written.
Have an interest in animals/agriculture/community development.
Skills with Microsoft Office package, internet browser, and other appropriate
technology.
Ability to implement and maintain various capacity assessment tools for quality
and accountability assurance of cooperatives and agribusinesses.
Working knowledge of sustainable livelihoods, value chain development and
market systems development.
Exceptional communication skills with the ability to both help groups reach
agreements and to represent collective perspectives.
Strong commitment to the shared leadership model.
Knowledge of different training topics such as social capital, gender, AC
development documentation, etc.
ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:
Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity.
Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule.
Motivated to work responsibly with little supervision.
Produce and present reports in a well-designed and attractive format with
superior attention to detail.
Ability to meet and deal with others in a courteous and tactful manner.
Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues,
potential donors, and the general public.
Constant setting, standing and walking, with occasional bending and lifting; may
work at a computer foe extended periods of time.
Willingness and ability to travel extensively, both locally and internationally