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 holder of this position will manage a team of Economic Recovery Officers and Assistants to effectively implement a Livelihoods and Self-Reliance project in Dadaab Refugee Camp and the surrounding host communities with a specific focus on financial inclusion activities. He/she will be responsible for the overall design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of DRC’s Economic Recovery Programme in the specific areas and the wider Garissa County. The Team Leader will provide oversight, technical support, and leadership within the DRC Economic Recovery unit around activities related to financial inclusion and should have expertise in financial inclusion approaches.

Duties & Responsibilities:
Technical Expertise in Financial Inclusion

• Provide technical guidance on financial inclusion activities, including technical design of connecting entrepreneurs to formal financial institutions
• Lead the development of revolving funds to support financial inclusion
• Provide technical guidance on the training and establishment of VSLAs, their running and managing growth in their capacity
• Liaise with formal financial institutions to support access for hard-to-reach customers, building trust and setting up dialogues with target communities
• Support small businesses to access finance and repay safely, providing mentorship where necessary to support growth and repayment of loans
• Develop a pipeline of businesses in target areas that can access formal finance and support the connection of these businesses to financial institutions.
• Provide technical guidance around KYC requirements and ID requirements for access to formal finance.

Program Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation

• In collaboration with Project Manager, provide technical leadership related to project design and development, planning, implementation, and overall project management.
• Develop technically sound work plans consistent with program goals and objectives in coordination with Economic recovery staff & M&E team.
• Develop high-quality concept notes, proposals, strategies, and monitoring and evaluation plans and ensure appropriate and timely implementation of these plans.
• Closely monitor the implementation of Financial Inclusion activities to timely, identify any problems that may affect the achievement of intended outputs and results.
• Submit timely weekly, monthly, quarterly & annual reports to the Program Manager.
• Organize and manage workshops, trainings and meetings that are hosted by the sector with relevant stakeholders.
• With support from field staff and M&E team, ensure robust monitoring & evaluation of all Economic recovery activities.
• Ensure timely and quality procurement of sector items and services in liaison with the Logistics department
• Ensure harmonious working of team with other consortium partners.
• Lead in private sector partner engagement in Financial Inclusion.

Training & Capacity development:

• Provide ongoing technical support and mentorship for Economic Recovery Officers and Assistants to develop professional and technical competency.
• Support field teams to participate in and provide leadership within coordination working groups and other sectorial meetings.
• Provide technical feedback on narrative reports and ensuring that established program targets and objectives are being met.

Coordination & Partnership

• Ensure that DRC is effectively represented and fully participates in all the relevant Thematic and Inter-Agency Working Groups, particularly in the areas of Agriculture, Livestock, Natural Resource Management, Business/Entrepreneurship and Private Sector.
• Promote a positive profile of DRC and the Economic Recovery Program and ensuring DRC’s role is well understood within the sector, and among other sectors, partners and the communities.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with consortium partners and all other stakeholders.
• Higher level guidance to the Market Systems with private sector engagement when scaping for partnerships for the program. Guidance in mapping and engagement strategy.

Budget Management:

• Manage the Economic Recovery budgets in order to maintain program expenditure within budget parameters, ensuring adherence to DRC financial procedures and donor requirements
• Support the Economic Recovery team members to utilize financial planning tools, such as spending plans, procurement plans, and work plans based on activities and budgets.
• Prepare spending plans, procurement plans, and work plans based on activities and budgets.

Staff Management:

• Timely recruitment of competent Economic Recovery staff in case of vacancies and holding regular staff meetings for planning and feedback sharing;
• Monitoring and providing objective feedback related to staff performance, including objective setting, probation and performance evaluations to promote growth and professional development.
• Providing leadership and support to ensure staff well-being.

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least five years of experience working in access to finance programs, sustainable and alternative livelihoods, resilience, economic recovery and self-reliance programming in displacement contexts;
• Must have a substantial previous experience in implementing financial inclusion and MSD programs with good understanding on access to finance.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills; cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective and working relations with local partners and other stakeholders
• Experience and willingness to work in the field and proficient program management skills.

Education

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University in Agri-business, Business Development, Natural Resource Management, Agricultural Economics, Economic Development, Community/International development). Master’s Degree in relevant field preferred

Language:

• Excellent Communication skills in English and Swahili required

Key stakeholders: Internal & External
Internal Stakeholder

• Dadaab SMT, Economic Recovery teams, Support Services team, Country office program and support teams;

External

• Consortium Partners
• Local government authorities
• Other NGOs
• Donors

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

• Striving for excellence: 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: August 2024
• Duty station: Dadaab Refugee camp

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 www.drc.ngo 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 26th 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 Opportunities: 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