Cooperative Development Specialist
Sales / Marketing / Business Development / Merchandising
About the Employer
Job Description
HELVETAS
SRI LANKA
Cooperative Development Specialist
HELVETAS, founded in 1955 is a Swiss based independent international development Non-Governmental Organization having over 40 years of engagement in Sri Lanka. Our vision is a just world in which all men and women determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner. As a politically and denominationally neutral organization, HELVETAS works in developing, emerging and transition countries, partnering with poor and disadvantaged people to improve their livelihoods, strengthen local actors and create an institutional framework conducive to sustainable development.
Main Responsibilities:
- Assess the current capacity of the four youth cooperatives, providing status reports highlighting strengths, opportunities, challenges, and areas for improvement.
- Recommend strategies and interventions tailored to each cooperative's needs and obtain approval from the project manager before the implementation.
- Develop five-year strategic plans and annual action plans for each cooperative.
- Plan and execute training and capacity-building interventions in collaboration with partners and HELVETAS.
- Conduct awareness training on the importance and benefits of cooperatives, including roles and responsibilities of boards and management teams.
- Develop transparent and accountable measures and mechanisms within the cooperatives.
- Review and revise cooperative laws, policies, and regulations to align with development needs. Guide cooperatives in maintaining legal and statutory requirements, including organizing meetings and documentation.
- Provide advisory services to the Board of Directors and the cooperative management regularly. Facilitate the establishment of saving acceptance registries, operational procedures, and financial management systems.
- Assist cooperatives in managing social businesses within the scope of cooperative law.
- Facilitate connections between cooperatives and relevant governmental, private, and non-governmental entities.
- Assist in preparing reports for relevant parties and managing relations with the Cooperative Department, HELVETAS, and youth cooperatives.
- Regularly analyze cooperative performance and submit reports to the Project Manager with recommendations for the improvement.
Qualifications:
- Sound Educational background preferably with a professional qualification in business management, Degree in relevant field.
- Sound knowledge and experience on Sri Lankan Cooperative system, concepts and approaches related to youth work and economic security.
- Minimum of 10 years proven work experience in similar capacity in a local GOSL, NGO/ INGO sector.
- Excellent knowledge of Cooperative finance management, Bi-laws and operational procedures Professional communication skills in English, Sinhala/Tamil is required, with the ability to convey information clearly.
- Report writing skills to assess and evaluate program activities, outcomes and impact. Experience in conducting training and facilitation.
- A good team player, with ability to work collaboratively in diverse and multicultural environments.
- Sound working knowledge of MS packages, and ability to use social media platforms for engagement.
- Strong interpersonal and networking skills to build synergy between the target groups, project team and the relevant stakeholders of the project and to foster partnerships for project implementation.
- Understand and committed to promote inclusivity, diversity, and gender equality in the designing and implementation of the project components focusing economic empowerment, livelihood, and employment skills of youth.
- Result oriented personality with strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to effectively prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
Please indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line of the E-mail. We look forward in receiving your complete application including your motivation letter and the Curriculum Vitae with three work related referees on or before 14th May 2024 through [email protected]
