Economic Recovery Assistant

About DRC

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental and non-profit organization, founded in 1956, that works in more than 35 countries around the world. DRC is one of the largest protection actors in Kenya, actively coordinating and advocating for improving the protective environment for refugees and host communities. DRC implements Protection monitoring, Child Protection and GBV prevention and response programmes in its areas of operation to address protection issues faced by displaced and non-displaced at-risk groups and individuals. The programme also aims to identify and build synergies with DRC´s Economic Recovery sector to facilitate durable solutions and Humanitarian Disarmament & Peace Building activities to enhance to respond to the needs of communities affected by acute crisis as well as those in protracted displacement situations.

Overall purpose of the role : 

The overall responsibility of the Economic Recovery Assistant is to support the Economic Recovery Officer and the Economic Recovery Coordinator to provide sound technical expertise to a financial inclusion project funded by Sweden and led by DRC in partnership with KCB Bank, KCB Foundation and Chamasoft Ltd. The role will technically report to Economic Recovery Officer under the overall management of a Project Manager and support the day-to-day implementation of the economic recovery related activities in the project. In addition, he/she will undertake other duties as assigned by the Project Manager

Duties & Responsibilities:
Project Management/Development, Monitoring & Evaluation

• Support to plan, oversee and the implementation of economic recovery activities in Mandera. (Financial inclusion activities within the project).
• Remain abreast with topical developments related to economic recovery and financial inclusion that will promote community participation in the financial sector hence improving their economic well-being.
• Contribute to promote sector learning and knowledge management in the financial inclusion sector through: collating findings/ information from the field as well as routine monitoring to draw lessons.
• Support in entrepreneur mobilization, sensitization, formation and training on Community Savings & Loans Associations (CSLAs) as well as FED (financial enterprise development) to promote inclusion amongst the vulnerable and unbanked communities.
• Contribute to developing and or adopting sector guidelines and tools in support of livelihoods implementation.
• Assist to submit timely and high-quality activity, donor and internal progress reports.
• Contribute in livelihoods and financial sector growth in scope through fundraising - identification of sector gaps and root causes analysis, and support in developing quality concept notes/proposals with corresponding activity budgets.
• Support the Economic Recovery team in project kick-off, review and project closure meetings including periodic programme review, planning and external meetings as often as possible and as requested by the supervisor.
• Assist in ensuring that the sector adheres to CHS (Core Humanitarian Standard) Principles in project implementation, participate in CHS audits and support in developing a MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning) plan.

Technical Implementation

• Contribute to implementing technical activities related to financial inclusion including building the capacity of CSLAs as well as work with digital partners to digitize them.
• Support to conduct training in financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills, working with micro-businesses to strengthen business plans and operations.
• Support in conducting training on registration of CSLAs in partnership with the Ministry of Labour & Social Protection personnel.
• Coordination & Partnership
• Support to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders, community members and 
• leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, DRS (Department of Refugees Services) and relevant financial institutions and other DRC team members including partners to enhance multi-agency and multi-sectoral cooperation and coordination on response activities.
• Contribute to promote collaboration and synergy between the partners and the targeted communities.
• Assist to actively participating and engaging in relevant coordination meetings and collaborate with other agencies of relevance/value add to DRC’s urban agenda.

Budget Management

• Provide support to ensure sound budget expenditure, adherence to DRC financial procedure and donor requirements as related to the livelihoods and financial inclusion sector.
• Contribute to draft spending, procurement, and work plans based on livelihood activities and budgets.
• Assist to participate in budget follow-up meetings to ensure the budget is tracked and over/under expenditure is addressed on time in consultation with the Economic Recovery Coordinator and the Project Manager

Experience and technical competencies:  

• Minimum of 2 years + of field experience in implementing economic recovery/financial inclusion programming in an International NGO or other relevant agency.
• Experience in financial inclusion interventions and models (CSLA/VSLA) is an added advantage.
• Good technical experience in financial inclusion programming including working with CSLAs, developing the capacity of micro-enterprises, working on micro-loans and formal financial institutions, providing financial inclusion training.
• Experience working with Sharia-compliant financing is an added advantage.
• Experience in working with digital service providers and digital financial services including the implementation of digital solutions from a fintech company, a plus.
• Good project management skills, with experience managing multiple location, sector project budget.
• Experience working in urban displacement responses and in multi-sectoral interventions.
• Experience in the digitization of savings groups, enterprises, or social associations is an added advantage
• Good planning, organization and problem-solving skills with ability to work both independently and within a team in a demanding working environment.
• Good analytical and strategic skills.
• A demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with government agencies, donors, partners, local organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Good level of communication and interpersonal skills.
• A demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with county and national government, donors, partners, local organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Good level of communication and interpersonal skills.

Education: 

• A degree in relevant field (Business Management, Economics, Entrepreneurship or Community Development or its equivalent).
• Fluency in written and spoken English essential.
• Knowledge of Somali language is an asset.

Language:  

• English 
• Swahili
• Somali (a plus)

Key stakeholders: Internal & External

• Programme Management Unit, MEAL staff, implementing field teams, senior management team and support service team.
• Technical Working Group(s), communities, local and national government authorities, relevant NGOs/CBOs and humanitarian agencies including DRC partners and donors as appropriate.

About you:
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellenc e: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating : You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating : You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Conditions

• Contract: One-year contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. 
• Availability : July 2024
• Duty station: Mandera base office, Mandera

Application and CV :
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered. DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on under Vacancies. Please remember to upload both a letter of application and your CV and do not attach any written recommendations. Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 28th June 2024

Gender Equality : DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, Female candidates and those from minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunitie s: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, color, race, marital status or other protected characteristics.
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process. Visit drc.ngo to read more about what we do to secure robust safeguarding mechanisms. 
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.