Cooperative Strengthening Officer (CSO) / Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Social Entrepreneurs Women’s Alliance Nepal (SEWA Nepal)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Social Entrepreneurs Women Alliance Nepal (SEWA Nepal) is a non-profit, network and national level organization of social entrepreneurs dedicated to improving sustainable livelihood of women, smallholder farmers, and backward community based on agriculture and livestock enterprises by strengthening of technical, governance, financial management and organizational of social entrepreneurs. SEWA Nepal is an apex body formed by more than 277 Social Entrepreneurs Women Cooperatives (SEWCs) of 6 provinces of Nepal. The main objectives of SEWA Nepal are to advocacy for increasing participation of social entrepreneurs in policy making in all level governments (local, province and federal); to increase access to education, health, nutrition, insurance, input supply, market, and access to finance through the women empowerment, social capital development, social transformation and awareness raising; and to facilitate producers quality production, processing, and marketing of Agri-Livestock products. SEWA Nepal invites applications for the following position:

1. DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION / REQUIREMENTS

Position: Cooperative Strengthening Officer (CSO)- (1)

Location: Butwal Cluster (Gulmi, Arghakhachi, Kapilbastu, Rupandehi & Palpa)

Reports to: Executive Director

Duration: Three and Half Month (Probability to extend)

Job Summary:

The Cooperative Strengthening Officer (CSO Officer) will play a critical role in enhancing the governance and financial management capabilities of cooperatives. This role involves conducting assessments, providing training, facilitating policy implementation, and ensuring adherence to established guidelines. The CSO Officer will collaborate closely with project partners, and Program Officers to drive cooperative development and support the achievement of project goals.

Responsibilities:

1. Conduct rapid assessments of cooperatives, primarily focusing on governance, financial management, and business aspects.
2. Identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement within cooperative operations.
3. Organize and coordinate policy and guidelines orientation sessions at the cooperative level.
4. Ensure cooperative members are informed and educated about relevant policies and guidelines.
5. Facilitate the formulation, review, and updates of business plans.
6. Coach cooperatives for policy/guideline updates and membership increment.
7. Implement project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan.
8. Provide support to SEWA board members and executive staff in translating the organization's vision and mission into action.
9. Build the capacity of primary cooperatives in governance, financial and business management and organize follow-up meetings.
10. Provide technical assistance for the rollout of cooperative accounting software.
11. Facilitate the provision of business development services in primary cooperatives, assessing business viability and analyzing effectiveness.
12. Organize Business to Business (B2B) meetings/collective marketing events and assist in linking agri-livestock products to formal markets.
13. Prepare periodic reports of activities performed, cooperative financial and business services, and submit them to concerned departments/donors as required.
14. Build cooperative capacity for progress reporting via mobile apps and/or other means.
15. Prepare case stories of success and achievements.

Qualifications/Experience:

1. Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business Administration, Cooperative Management, Finance, etc.). and more than 3 Year Work experience in relevant field or
2. +2 in a relevant field (e.g., Business Administration, Cooperative Management, Finance, etc.). and more than 6 Year Work experience in relevant field.
3. Proven experience in cooperative development, governance, financial and business management.
4. Strong understanding of policies, guidelines, and best practices within the cooperative sector.
5. Excellent communication, training, and facilitation skills.
6. Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
7. Proficiency in report writing and documentation.
8. Willingness to travel to cooperatives and project locations as required.
9. Two-wheeler license holder

2. DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION / REQUIREMENTS

Position: Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (1)

Location: Chitwan 

Reports to: Executive Director

Duration: Three and Half Month (Probability to extend)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor and report on the progress of implementation of project activities.
  • Monitor the implementation of the work plans and activities and report on their timeliness and quality.
  • Regular cooperative reporting through mobile application and maintain database of cooperative report.
  • Serve as a direct link between the SEWA and HPIN by undertaking regular visits to the Cooperatives of project sites and close monitoring of overall ongoing activities to ensure that they are in line with the agreed work plans.
  • Undertake field visits to spot-check progress in implementation of the activities.
  • Ensure the operationalization of the M&E reporting portal for monitoring output data.
  • Coordinate with implementing partners/cooperatives to ensure regular data submission and conduct random verifications and validations to ensure data quality.
  • Prepare periodic reports and communicate with field teams to support the decision-making process.
  • Provide technical support for evidence-based documentation.
  • Collect and prepare case stories of project beneficiaries.
  • Prepare year-to-date project outputs and financial expenditure reports and communicate with field teams.
  • More than 33% of field visit is required for verification and support.
• Technical support to Cooperative for sound implementation of project activities
  • Ensuring the cooperative's software runs smoothly, track their intended outcomes, and result oriented so that contribute to the cooperative's overall success. 
  • Technical expertise, project management skills, and effective communication to support the cooperative in achieving its goals.
  • Regularly coordinate with the cooperative managers and onsite coaching as needed.
  • Conduct de-briefing meetings both internal and external related to Cooperatives.
  • Organize and facilitate workshops and other capacity-building events, as needed.
• Information Management System Responsibilities:
  • Regularly update and maintain project databases, ensuring data accuracy and completeness.
  • Provide technical support cooperatives on data management tools and systems.
  • Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth incorporation of the information management system with other organizational databases or systems.

Required Skills and Experiences

• At least 2 years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, business administration, economics, social science, or any other related field.
• Experience in working with Local partner and Cooperative.
• Understanding of current M&E trends and especially M&E systems in development organizations. 
• Excellent computer literacy (MS Office; Windows, Internet); excellent communications, report writing and analytical skills/Software skills.

Desired Requirement:

• Driving license of scooter/bike.

Language Requirements:

• Language proficiency of English and Nepali in both written and oral competency.
• Knowledge of other local languages shall be considered as an asset.

Applying Process:

Qualified and interested candidates are requested to send an updated CV and application letter with expected salary to: sewanepal2022@gmail.com including the position title in the "subject line". The application submission deadline is on 9th March 2024.

Only short-listed candidates will be invited for the selection process. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained.