Cooperative Assistant

Role Overview


The Cooperative Assistant will aid in coordinating and implementing impact program activities.
Their focus will be on Cooperative development and management, market systems, value chains, financial inclusion, and climate-smart agriculture, while also supporting the implementation of other impact program interventions.
While collaborating with cooperatives to coordinate and implement impact programs, they will ensure the integration and promotion of do-no-harm principles, conflict sensitivity, social cohesion and trust building, trauma awareness, and inclusivity.
The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding and experience in cooperative management, agricultural marketing systems, innovative agriculture techniques, and value chain approaches, as well as significant experience working in multi-sector activities and knowledge of sustainable rural livelihoods, food security, LGA, livestock production, value chains, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture.


Primary Responsibilities


Lead the establishment of farmers cooperatives in intervention communities.
Spearhead the creation of leadership structures among established cooperatives and provide coaching and mentorship to cooperative executives.
Guide the field team in supporting cooperatives to set up internal processes such as legal systems (constitution/bye-law), Accounting (Record keeping) & financial systems, and Marketing.
Establish financial inclusion systems among cooperatives, ensuring consistent savings and loan activities.
Collaborate with the field office coordinator to facilitate the registration of established farmers' cooperatives with appropriate government authorities.
Foster business engagements among cooperatives through commercialization of farm enterprises and establishment of group income-generating activities to ensure profitability.
Assist in developing cooperative management training curriculum with the curriculum design team to create a well-structured farmer organization training program.
Conduct training for farmer cooperatives on group dynamics, enterprise management, marketing basics, and support other key technical areas such as GAP to ensure profitability and strengthen social cohesion among members.
Work in tandem with the agriculture team to deliver agricultural extension services and on-farm advisory support through established demo plots to promote technology adoption and processes that increase yield and income.
Establish mobile money service points and implement mobile money systems in all cooperatives for group financial activities to enhance access to safe and affordable financial services in local communities.
Collaborate with the M&E team to monitor and assess cooperative performance using various platforms and support in conducting surveys and other monitoring activities to ensure interventions are on track for increased impact.
Cultivate successful relationships between the project and farmer cooperatives, community leaders, and other key stakeholders in intervention communities.
Provide weekly field reports, contribute to monthly Activity Progress Reports, document and share lessons learned, success stories, and general situation and community feedback.
Perform additional tasks as assigned by the supervisor.


Job Requirements & Qualifications


Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Cooperative Studies and Management, Agribusiness, Rural Development, or related fields.
2 - 3 years of professional experience in a similar role managing farmers cooperatives under an agricultural intervention, preferably in a Non-profit Organization.
Strong knowledge and experience in establishing and managing small farmers groups and registering cooperatives is highly desirable.
Excellent communication skills and farmer training capacity with strong knowledge in Group Dynamics/farmer organization management, Marketing basics, and community business enterprise development.
Demonstrated expertise in agronomic practices, financial inclusion (savings and loans systems), on-farm technologies, and non-farm agriculture-based livelihood trainings.
Experience working with women and youth is highly desirable
Candidates fluent in English, Hausa, Kanuri, and Babur are preferred, with good working experience in rural communities.
Ability to perform any other tasks assigned/instructed by the Supervisor.