Vacancy: General Manager – Cooperative Union
Background: The Gem sub-County and particularly the Sauri and Gem cluster in which Millennium Villages Project has been supporting communities has about nine cooperatives societies clustered around different agro based value chains and to which has been bringing farmers together to produce and market their produce.
Other community institutions are village banks, Income generating groups in schools, health institutions and general community.
To coordinate support and external assistance to the primary Cooperatives Societies, the Gem Sub-County Cooperative Union was formed by the primary cooperatives societies with leadership representation from the same primary societies.
The cooperative union will be providing technical assistance, credit facilities for business expansion and new viable initiatives, capacity building and training and in some cases providing space and infrastructural facilities for the smooth operation of its members.
The main cooperative union staff will endeavor to support all other cooperative societies on agreed cost recovery formulae as well as providing close monitoring and evaluation of primary cooperatives society’s resources.
For the overall management of the Gem Sub-County cooperative Union, a General Manger is required to steer the day to day operations of the Union.
Reporting: The General Manager will report to the Gem Sub-County Cooperative Union Management Committee and will working closely with Secretary Managers of all the primary Cooperatives and managers of the village Banks apart from the direct Cooperative Unions’ Staff.
The position will be based at the Gem Sub-County Cooperative Union offices in Yala.
Specific Responsibilities
- Develop and recommend to the Management Committee long- and short-term plans to achieve co-op Union purposes.
- Prepare annual budget for approval by the Management Committee and be held accountable for control of resources of the Cooperative Union and by extension its members.
- Direct all financial operations of the cooperative Union.
- Investigate new business opportunities and make recommendations to the Management Committee on expansion, relocation, and acquisitions; conduct negotiations as agreed upon.
- Prepare monthly and annual financial and management reports to the Management Committee.
- Participate in regional and national co-op and industry events including operations and Marketing activities to build capacity of the members.
- Ensure a profitable, growing business in all the activities undertaken by both the union and the cooperative societies.
- Ensure the establishment and maintenance of a sound management system that trickles down to primary societies.
- Maintain and update equipment and stock inventory systems and stocking procedures.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable laws: licenses, permits, health regulations, employment, etc.
- Hire, supervise, evaluate, and fire Societies and union staff in consultation with the cooperative union management committee and the society’s management committee.
- Develop a staff organizational structure in accordance with the personnel policies and needs and maintain maximum service to customers.
- Prepare a yearly payroll budget that meets operating budget constraints.
- Ensure a safe, healthy workplace for employees, adequate training of staff and promote a culture of professionalism, enthusiasm and high quality of performance.
- Develop an advertising and marketing strategy to increase co-op memberships, sales and public awareness of the co-op’s products and services including for the union.
- Execute the advertising and marketing plan within budgetary guidelines.
- Communicate information about the co-op to members through its website, social media, newsletter and an annual report.
- Ensure displays, signage, and other promotions are prepared to maximize marketing impact.
- Maintain and update contact with the County and Sub-County department of Cooperatives, solicit for support and linkages with other like minded organization.
- Engaging co-op members and develop strategic community/farmers partnerships and Strategic Planning for Modernization and Expansion.
- Develop business plan for modernization and expansion of the union and its members’ business.
- Collaborate with key partners, consultants and other professionals in the planning and implementation of modernization and expansion.
- Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Unions Management Committee.
Qualification and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Agribusiness, cooperative Management and any other related courses from recognized institution.
- At least 4 years working experience with a Cooperative organization, community based development organization, microfinance institution or bank.
- Experience in participatory assessment, monitoring and evaluation, training and facilitation, data processing or analysis and computers.
- Ability to articulate a vision and get group members to buy into it.
- Experience in organizational transformation, growth, and/or expansion.
- Entrepreneurial spirit with demonstrated creativity & innovation in business
- Ability to mobilize and organize community and groups
- Good contextual knowledge of local issues, community priorities, organizational relationships, social and cultural constraints and realities, and environmental conditions.
Terms and Conditions of Employment: The terms of employment are on contract initially for 8 Months and renewal will be based on availability of funds and performance. There will be a probationary period of three months
Application and duration
The position is expected to be filled by Mid July, 2015, interested applicants to apply on or before 10th July 2015, and should include cover letter, updated CV, Current and expected salary and names and contacts of two referees one of whom should be the previous supervisor.
All applications should be done electronically through the email address oassa2000@yahoo.com