Electric Cooperative Development Specialist at NRECA International

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Cooperative Development Specialist will provide training, technical assistance and mentoring to newly formed rural electric cooperatives established by the Zambia Electric Cooperative Development Program (ZECDP) that has been underway in Zambia since 2021. The Cooperative Development Specialist will direct all cooperative training, technical assistance and mentoring activities, working in direct collaboration with the ZECDP Community Organizational Specialist and with team members from the Zambia Rural Electrification Authority.

The Specialist will draft policies, procedures, training curricula and guidelines for ZECDP support to newly established electric cooperative businesses in Zambia. The Specialist will collaborate with the Zambia Department of Cooperatives (Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry) to transfer knowledge, build capacity and to support Department of Cooperatives knowledge and understanding of electric cooperatives and their training and oversight requirements. The Specialist will also collaborate with NRECA International team members in the home office to arrange training and technical assistance programs for ZECDP-sponsored cooperatives with respect to board, management and employee training activities. The Specialist will also work with ZECDP team members to develop training programs for productive uses of electricity and other training themes that relate directly to cooperative functionality.

The Electric Cooperative Development Specialist position is located onsite in Lusaka, Zambia.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Serve as the Cooperative Development Specialist for ZECDP in Zambia, reporting to the ZECDP Program Manager and collaborating with other ZECDP team members to develop training programs for productive uses of electricity and other training themes that relate directly to cooperative functionality.
Partner with the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) to develop an internal training program to guide REA interactions and support for newly formed rural electric cooperatives that are supported by REA investment.
Develop semi-annual and annual work plans that will be presented to the ZECDP Program Manager for review, modification and approval.

Direct Reports to this Position:

ZECDP local employees as assigned by the ZECDP Program Manager

Qualifications

Formal Education Required:

Bachelor’s degree in business, public policy or non-profit management. Master’s degree preferred

Experience and Certifications Required:

Ten years of experience in community organization or cooperative development.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required ( as demonstrated by prior work experience ) :

Knowledge of banking operations and specifically, agricultural loan program management.
Ability to effectively interact with others and work in a team environment and providing follow-up when needed.
Ability to manage competing deadlines and multiple projects at various stages of development using effective organization skills.
Ability to be persuasive, negotiate, and collaborate with individuals at all levels throughout organization. demonstrated by prior work experience.
Ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse membership, employees and/or vendors in a clear and precise manner.
Ability to use Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and to operate various office equipment such as personal computer, copier, printer, fax machine or other job-related equipment.
Ability to provide service excellence by building relationships, being resourceful, responsive and respectful.

Essential Physical Requirements :

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal and extensive reading.
Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.