Cooperative Development Specialist

Rural Women’s Development Society (RWDS) works in the West Bank and Gaza Strip with the mission to organize, support and strengthen rural women’s clubs that are committed to the principles of social justice, equality and civil society, and work in accordance with the RWDS vision of improving women’s economic, social and political status. “Honey for Palestine,” a 30 month project developed by RWDS and funded by the Drosos Foundation, aims to improve the economic security of women in the villages of Saida and Bayt Kahel through community-based cooperatives that will produce honey and related products under the RWDS Al Hakoura label. This project also strengthens the ongoing economic empowerment work of RWDS through forming an internal unit to sustain RWDS cooperatives and Al Hakoura. To support this project, RWDS is seeking a qualified, creative and goal-oriented candidate for the following position:

Position Title: Cooperative Development Specialist

Location: Ramallah, with extensive travel to other areas in the West Bank

Duration: 28 months with the possibility of extension

This position works closely with RWDS staff and cooperative members and plays a key role in creating the new unit, ensuring business development of targeted cooperatives and increasing sales of Al Hakoura products through the following:

Tasks and Responsibilities
-Assess existing Al Hakoura products, sales and procedures; analyze available data/project market survey to develop and guide effective marketing strategies of products
-Define internal unit; design/implement affiliated action plans
-Create and implement plan to maximize Al Hakoura sales, in domestic and international markets
-Increase market access of products by building existing and creating new vendor relationships
-Develop systems for financial tracking, sales, payments, picking up and delivering products, production cycle management, product quality control and other relevant procedures in the unit
-Oversee Al Hakoura branding process; design and unification of logo, packaging and labels
-Act as a bridge between RWDS head office and the cooperatives; design joint, sustainable business plans and cooperation agreements; review running costs and projected income; continuously follow up with and support cooperatives
-Organize information about relevant exhibitions and facilitate cooperatives’ participation in them
-Direct marketing campaign, including design of social media plan for products, local advertisements, marketing/informational materials
-Provide logistical support to cooperatives, including registration and overseeing distribution/export processes
-Liaise with other local and international organizations/initiatives working on food production in Palestine; network to provide new opportunities for cooperatives
-Contribute to reporting, monitoring and evaluation procedures both for the project and internal to RWDS
-Other tasks as necessary for success of project, to establish the  unit and support cooperatives

Qualifications:
-Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in  a relevant field (i.e.business administration, marketing or food production)
-At least three years of professional experience in business management, sales or marketing, preferably in food production industry or development
-Fluency in English and Arabic; strong written and verbal communication skills
-Passion for Palestinian-, women-made products; ability to communicate this passion to diverse audiences
-Knowledge of cooperatives/social enterprises and their best practices, and affiliated laws
-Familiarity with local and external markets; knowledge of sales and marketing techniques; experience in local market required and exports preferred
-Understanding of planning and budgeting processes, financial management and basic bookkeeping
-Awareness of /Interest in gender issues
-Computer skills: sound knowledge of standard software (mainly MS Office)
-Excellent analytical and creative problem-solving skills; highly organized; able to set priorities, work systematically towards goals, both independently and as part of a team
-Effective networking skills and ability to build long-term relationships
-Possess a valid driver’s license; own car preferred; ability to travel throughout West Bank

If you want to apply for this position, please send your CV and a cover letter explaining your interest in this position by email to [email protected] no later than Thursday, February 20, 2014. Please indicate the position title in the email subject line. No calls please.

Only short listed candidates will be invited to interviews. This is an equal opportunity position and qualified women are highly encouraged to apply.

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