Global Communities
Job Title: Cooperative Finance Officer
Level: Officer
Department: USAID / CLEAR Program
Location: Karen / Nairobi
Reports To: SME Business Specialist
Supervises: No
Overview: Global Communities, formerly CHF International, is an
international non-profit organization that works closely with communities
worldwide to bring about sustainable changes that improve the lives and
livelihoods of the vulnerable.
Global Communities is implementing the USAID funded Cooperative
Leadership Engagement Advocacy and Research (CLEAR) program.
CLEAR has three primary objectives:
1) promote the adoption and implementation of cooperative
legislation and policies that support and strengthen cooperative businesses in
25 counties;
2) strengthen the business acumen and performance of cooperative
businesses while integrating and empowering youth and women within cooperative
business structures in targeted urban and peri-urban markets to increase
economic participation and county revenue growth; and
3) improve cooperative systems and networks through the USAID
Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation (CLA) approach and through our research
program implemented in collaboration with USIU Africa.
The CLEAR program does NOT work with agriculture co-ops or with
SACCOs; but instead works with service/worker-owned and housing cooperatives.
The Global Communities Kenya office is seeking a qualified and
passionate Cooperative Finance Officer for the CLEAR program. The Cooperative
Finance Officer will have the primary responsibility of working with the
Cooperative Business Enterprises (CBEs) to implement CLEAR Program’s Objective
2 strategy.
Specifically, the Cooperative Finance Officer shall provide
technical assistance towards the design, implementation, training and reporting
on capacity building and coaching of cooperatives under objective two support
in the area of financial management.
During the teleworking period as a result of the global
pandemic, the Cooperative Finance Officer will be responsible for the direct
training and mentorship of small businesses through online training given the
current teleworking status of Nairobi and be comfortable delivering content via
Zoom or MS Teams and other available platforms the Program may adopt in the course
of this assignment.
The Cooperative Finance Officer will work under the supervision
of the SME Business Specialist in coordination with the USAID/CLEAR Kenya
in-Country Team Lead and the Chief of Party/Director for Cooperatives and
Inclusive Business. The in-Country Team Lead is responsible for the management
and leadership of program operations in Kenya, and will serve as the Country
Program Representative.
The Cooperative Finance Officer will work closely with the
Cooperative Development Officer and work on cross-cutting activities that may
include the Program’s research activities, Collaboration, Learning and
Adaptation focused learning forums as may be assigned.
Responsibilities:
The Cooperative Finance Officer shall provide technical
assistance towards the implementation of USAID/CLEAR Intermediate Result #2:
Support to Cooperative Businesses.
Critical to this position is a strong functional understanding
of the Kenyan Cooperative movement with a focus on operational and financial
management. Understanding of the service/worker-owned cooperative model as well
as experience in conducting results-oriented online training and/or coaching
shall be an added advantage.
The candidate should be open to working in a nontraditional
working environment with remote management and have good communication and
cooperation skills.
The responsibilities included under this assignment are:
·
Design, plan and deliver training programming in cooperatives
financial management – including all materials and online content;
·
Coach at least 10 cooperatives under USAID/CLEAR support in the
areas of budgeting, book keeping, preparation of financial statements and
prudent financial management policies and procedures ensuring each cooperative
is capable of passing annual audits and filing taxes with the KRA;
·
Provide technical input the development of the strategy for
achieving Intermediate Result #2 targets;
·
Implement and report on activities outlined in the workplan
aimed at achieving Intermediate Result #2 targets;
·
In coordination with the SME Business Specialist and the
consultants, provide technical and logistical assistance towards the
preparation and execution of the one-on-one cooperative coaching session in the
areas of taxation and equity;
·
Work with the SME Business Specialist and the USAID/CLEAR team
to ensure timely execution of activities duly assigned under this job
description;
·
Proven ability to work in a team to achieve both individual and
team targets;
·
Support in the data collection and dissemination of the annual
Cooperative Performance Index under the supervision of the SME Business
Specialist in collaboration with the Cooperative Development Officer, M&E
team, Team Lead/Policy & Legislative Affairs Specialist, Technical
Specialist and the USAID/CLEAR Chief of Party.
·
Participate in team meetings, quarterly results analysis
sessions, cross-cutting Program activities to enhance better coordination and
maximized synergies within the Team;
·
Any other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications
·
Bachelor’s degree in the fields of Finance, Accounting,
Cooperative Management, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, or other
related field;
·
Proven experience working with cooperative businesses to
strengthen their financial management systems and procedures;
·
Demonstrated experience and timely delivery of results working
under remote supervision and management;
·
Working knowledge of the cooperative business model and ability
to learn the Worker/Owner Cooperative model so as to be able to transfer
knowledge;
·
Ability to engage with SMEs and cooperative businesses on web
platforms including providing online training;
·
Knowledge of cooperative business model and/or experience
working with boards a plus;
·
Ability to be self-directed
·
Enjoy working with young entrepreneurs to achieve financial growth;
·
Ability to work remotely and uninterrupted with stable internet
connection;
·
Must be a team player and have a flexible working schedule to
accommodate an international management team in Washington, DC.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should forward their updated CV and
application letter ONLY to kevacancies@globalcommunities.org with clear
subject: COOPERATIVE FINANCE OFFICER on or by September 18, 2020.
Global Communities is an equal opportunity employer.