Position: Strategic Capacity Builder

Department: International Development Foundation, ILCU

Reporting to: International Development Programme Manager

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:

• 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.
• To support in establishing the new programme for successful execution, including input to the development of the Transition and Sustainability Strategy & Plan.
• 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.

Please see Job Description attched below.

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.