Brief Description:

Start Date Jun - Aug 2018 (flexible)

Length of Placement 12 Months

Language Requirements English

English Reading: Level 4, Writing: Level 4, Speaking: Level 4

Language Scale: http://www.cusointernational.org/languageratingscale

Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada only

The Volunteer’s Role

All Cuso placements will help contribute to the Inclusive Sustainable Economic Growth (ISEG) project of Cuso International’s Volunteers for International Cooperation and Empowerment (VOICE) program, funded by the Canadian government through Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and Cuso International, Cuso International’s key assets are our direct people-to-people engagement, expressed primarily through multiple types of volunteering. Through the skills and commitment of our volunteer professionals, our inclusive approach to mobilizing effective partnerships, the alignment of our programs with national and global development priorities, and our commitment to learning, innovation and delivering real and sustainable outcomes, Cuso International is better able to promote equitable and sustainable economic growth, access to quality social services and active citizenship around the world.

This placement is to support CANOFECO, a federation of cooperatives in Camarines Norte, Philippines, in the implementation and operationalization of a trading and marketing center targeting family farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs in Bicol region. The volunteer will support CANOFECO to build its capacity on business management especially in the area of marketing, and development/strengthening of its social enterprises – business development services provider consolidation/trader, the processing, handicrafts, services and others. The volunteer will work directly with the management team of CANOFECO. (and coordinate with Trias, a partner in this business/program of CANOFECO) Under the supervision of the CANOFECO management team, the volunteer may be requested to liaise with the Trias satellite office in Naga from time to time,

CANOFECO has worked with CUSO Volunteer on setting up the marketing/ trading business particularly the business planning. The business plan currently outlines CANOFECO’s direction in broad strokes and the details for implementation including setting-up the mechanisms for the business systems are in order.

As a volunteer, you will:

-Field visits and meetings with member cooperatives particularly the direct partner or potential client of the marketing business in order to familiarize self on the different programs and activities and sector they are operating or serving by these member cooperatives

-Review and understand the businesses and different enterprises of members cooperatives, support services of MBOs to entrepreneurs and the needs of each MBOs

-Support CANOFECO and work with management to enhance the business plan, strengthen structures and systems needed to manage the marketing businesses, facilitate strategy development (among others in the fields of marketing and promotion, business upscaling, inventory management, cash flow mgt., purchases, logistics, etc.) and coaching in implementation of the strategies for the marketing / trading business of CANFOECO

-Coach and mentor relevant staff as leads on the implementation and management services of the enterprise of CANOFECO

-To assist target member cooperatives (tentatively with PDCI, TAMUCO, ARBOS) that are directly related to the marketing business of CANOFECO

Essential Academic Qualifications:

- University Degree in Business Administration/Management, Finance, Marketing

Essential Professional Background:

- 5-7 years of experience in business management, marketing

- Strategic planning, financial business planning, development of business management strategies, marketing and promotional strategies

- Systems development especially along marketing or trading business

- Project proposal writing

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