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International Development Foundation, ILCU

Strategic Capacity Builder

 

The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) International Department seeks to recruit a Strategic Capacity Builder on a one-year fixed term contract basis, based in Freetown Sierra Leone, with some travel in Sierra Leone.
Job Type
Contract Type: A Fixed Term Contract position.
Duration: 1 year contract starting in 2025. Based on candidate interest and availability, the Foundation is open to considering other staffing options to cover 1 year contract.
 
Background
The mission of the International Department Foundation of the Irish League of Credit Unions (Foundation) is to alleviate poverty in developing countries by supporting credit unions and their representative bodies through the provision of financial and technical assistance.  We are delivering credit union projects with funding from Irish Aid, IFAD and a number of other donor agencies, in line with best international practice.
 
Overall Aim of Sierra Leonean Programme
The Foundation is currently mobilising a new programme in Sierra Leone, which is a successor to the current programme in Sierra Leone. The new programme has three target outcomes: (1) Safe & Sound CUs, (2) Growth of the CU Movement in SL, (3) CU Movement Capacity Building.
 
The programme seeks to promote financial inclusion and reduced poverty for a greater number of Sierra Leoneans through embedding of a safe, sound and growing Credit Union movement with its philosophy and values of inclusion and community. A growing movement will strengthen the capacity of members and their communities to effectively prepare, respond and recover from livelihood stresses and shocks. Growing the membership of the movement and increasing the number of credit unions will also help the movement along the pathway to become sustainable in the medium to longer term.
 
Main duties
Working with colleagues in the Sierra Leonean credit union movement, the strategic capacity builder role is seen as a role that can help establish some of the key foundations needed for the long-term success of the movement. The main focus is to help establish some key functions and management disciplines and transition relevant knowledge and expertise to Sierra Leonean colleagues so that they have the capacity to develop the credit union movement over the longer-term. In summary, the purpose of the capacity builder role is:
 
  1. To develop the capacity building function and plans for the new programme in Sierra Leone and oversee their delivery and to nurture and develop a local Sierra Leonean lead to take on this remit in due course.
  2. To support in establishing the new programme for successful execution, including input to the development of the Transition and Sustainability Strategy & Plan. 
  3. To provide coaching and support to the NaCCUA (National Credit Union Apex Body) and ILCUF Ltd (The Foundation’s Sierra Leone organisation) team leaders in the execution of the programme and ensure the appropriate HR practices are established.
The role is focused on the enablement and capacity building of the local Sierra Leonean team and staff.
1. Capacity Building for Sierra Leone:
A. Develop a capacity building programme for the Sierra Leonean credit union movement
Complete Training Needs Assessment for the Sierra Leonean credit union movement covering the individual CUs, the NaCCUA, ILCUF Ltd. and other stakeholders.
Develop and deliver a tailored capacity building programme on a pilot basis including these elements:
  • development of content ensuring it is localised to the context.

  • development of trainer’s notes and pre and post training assessments

  • identification and upskilling of trainers (Train the Trainer).

  • delivery of pilot programme to a carefully selected relevant audience (SMEs and/or people with real-life experience in CUs) and take feedback on same.

  • Update final “Master file” based on feedback and learnings.

  • Deliver the programme to the target audience.

Relevant topics include governance, lending, credit management.  Taking learnings from pilot and develop other tailored capacity building programmes for the Sierra Leonean CU movement.
Develop template policies (and synopsis pages of same) for the CU sector related to the training undertaken – e.g., Governance, Lending, Membership, Savings, Shares, Credit Control etc.      
B. Develop the local capacity building function for the future
Create the job specification for the long-term capacity building role in the first 3 months.
Advertise the position and recruit a resource to fulfil the role in the second 3 months.
In the remaining 6 months, nurture and develop this resource so that s/he is in a position to take on the local Sierra Leonean capacity building remit.
Support for all these activities will be provided by an ILCUF Technical Advisor, based in Dublin who will visit Sierra Leone from time to time.
 
 
2. Support in establishing the new programme for successful execution:
Support the development and establishment of work based credit unions.
Support the NaCCUA and ILCUF GMs in stakeholder engagement, including maintaining the stakeholder map.
Provide input to the development of the ILCUF Exit / Sustainability Strategy & Plan (it is expected that a 3rd party consultant will own development of the Exit / Sustainability Strategy & Plan).
Support the transition of services from ILCUF Ltd to NaCCUA based on the agreed plan. Help ensure that any discretionary activities are identified and eliminated.
Review and streamline communications between Dublin and Freetown teams.
 
3. Coaching and support to the team leaders in the execution of the new programme and ensure the appropriate HR practices are established:
Provide coaching to help the leaders address / navigate programme issues or barriers to progress.
Review the implementation of new HR practices within ILCUF Ltd. and NaCCUA, including the  life-cycle of staff management (Goals, Support and Supervision, Appraisals etc.)
 
Develop and support the implementation of new HR policies and practices for Credit Unions.
 
Identify what we can offer work-based CUs and the capability gaps that exist in this area.
 
Administration:
  • Ensure adherence with ILCUF policies, processes and systems.

  • Specify and manage contracts for Consultants as required.

  • Represent ILCUF at external meetings as required.

  • Undertake other routine tasks related to the ILCUF’s activities as required.

 
Person Specification
Essential:
  • Knowledge and expertise in credit union governance, management and operations and the operations of national Apex bodies.

  • A focus and keen interest in people development and coaching.

  • A focus on continuous learning & development.

  • Strong project management and delivery ethos.

  • Experience in stakeholder management and development.

  • Strong communications and engagement skills.

  • Adaptable, willing to work throughout Sierra Leone

  • Enthusiastic and flexible work attitude; an ability to work productively in both a multi-cultural team and independently; prepared to work outside normal working hours if needed.

 
Desirable:
  • Experience with an international development organisation, ideally overseas.

 
 
How to Apply
 
Interested applicants should forward an up-to-date CV and cover letter via email to:
 
Conor Thornton
Email: cthornton@creditunion.ie
 
Closing date for applications is Thursday, 21st November, 2024.
 
The ILCU International Development Foundation is registered in Ireland, registered charity number 20024314