Job Description

About COOPI

COOPI- Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in 1965. COOPI aims to help the world’s poorest to improve their access to healthcare, food, and financial security, and to overcome their special vulnerability to wars, civil conflicts and natural disasters. For more than 50 years of long-term support and constant presence in the field, COOPI has been engaged in breaking the cycle of poverty and responding to specific emergencies in numerous sectors, including Food Security, Humanitarian Aid, Health, Socio-Economical Services, Water and Sanitation, Human Rights, Education and Training, Migrations and Sustainable Energy.

COOPI in Somalia

COOPI has been active with its humanitarian and resilience programs in Somalia since 1984. COOPI has been implementing emergency and long-term resilience building projects including food security & livelihoods, water and sanitation and health, to improve the living conditions of thousands of vulnerable families.

COOPI has been providing response and supporting the most basic and pressing needs of communities in Southwest State, South Central, Banadir, Jubaland and Somaliland. COOPI has a long-standing presence in those locations providing both emergency humanitarian support and building resilient livelihoods through a multi-sectoral approach with specific focus on crisis affected populations. COOPI's main operational and coordination offices are located in  Mogadishu, Baidoa and Dollow. COOPI also has a support and regional office in Nairobi.

Overview of the Position

The Economic Development Officer shall mean a Somali national who has been trained in Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA) or Microfinance Institution skills. The Economic Development Officer, function and work are defined according to the terms and conditions stated hereafter and subject to COOPI guidelines for VSLA or Microfinance Institution, so he/she can perform his/her activities as described, in a specific district and for the period specified in his/her contract as well as duties assigned by the line managers.

Key Responsibilities

Technical issues;

• Mobilization and awareness raising with local leaders
• Mobilization of community groups
• Training associations in the implementation of village saving and loans
• Village saving and loans association data gathering and association monitoring
• Overseeing when the VSLAs are purchasing shares and have meetings
• Solving issues related to VSLAs if there are misunderstandings within the Associations
• Preparation of periodic operational plans
• Managing/supervising of MIS information flows to Program Manager
• Assistance in the preparation of annual plans
• Preparation of monthly and quarterly progress reports to Program Manager
• Monitoring and supervision of Village Agents.
• Data collection from savings groups, and preparation of monitoring plans for the saving groups.

Team work

• Execute roles assigned to him/her by the PM in the respective area/district.
• Assume responsibilities in the team as deemed necessary to enhance implementation of the operation.
• Ensure harmony within the team and with the community members.
• Ensure that COOPI’s policies and guidelines are adhered to by all the staff and are understood by the communities/beneficiaries.
• Participate in work planning meetings for the respective district.

Reporting;

• Provide field reports to PM on weekly basis.
• Reports on monitoring (Technical reports) shall be made on data sheets provided by COOPI only.
• All combined monthly reports -MUST be submitted to line manager by 29th, day of every month by the team leader.

Management:

• Be directly answerable to and then to PM/DTL, for implementation of this SomReP project.
• Respect of COOPI management structure must be maintained at all levels.
• Keep close coordination with the Field staff, PM/or Field Logistician on all matters pertaining to supplies and finances.

Security:

• Monitor and provide internal reports on the security situation in the operation area to the PM
• Follow all security procedures and bringing any shortcomings to the attention of the PM.
• Report, any form of risk in the field to the PM., Clan Elders and Village Committee for appropriate action.
• When under threat, embrace dialogue and restraint to minimize risk and enable secure exit from the area.
• Avoid any act or omission that may put the team at risk in the field. If a threat to any member of the team is perceived, take appropriate action immediately, without causing a stir.

Other.

Perform other related duties as requested by the supervisor

Experiences and Qualifications

Qualification & Requirements

• Degree in Micro-finances or Economics or Business Administration.
• Preferably from the local community
• Fluent in English and Somali languages
• Good organizational skills
• Team building and motivational skills
• Good diplomatic, analytical and presentational skills
• Proficiency in computer skills 

Experience.

• At least three years on community development
• Experienced facilitator /trainer
• Experienced and detail-oriented planner
• Experience in data analysis.
• Familiarity with principles and practice of savings-led microfinance and with strong awareness of challenges faced by traditional methodologies.
• Females are highly encouraged to apply.

Skills Required

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