Community Engagement Facilitator

Overall purpose of the role:  
Under the direct supervision of the Economic Recovery Officer but reporting to the Project Manager; the Community Engagement Facilitator will play an important role in the accountability and transparency of contributing to the implementation of the Sweden-funded Supporting Displacement-Affected Communities in Kenya with Entrepreneurship Development (SDACKED) project activities in the DRC Urban program. Additionally, to support community engagement efforts, in line with the organization’s strategy, which seeks to assist refugees and the displaced persons to protect their rights and financially empower them towards a better future. 

The role will include activities related to supporting refugee and host community entrepreneurs through capacity building, mentorship, financial linkages and monitoring of their business activities. Other responsibilities include: outreach, promotion of community participation and feedback in all stages of project implementation as well as support to enhance community/enterprises capacities under the technical guidance of the Economic Recovery Officer and share recommendations on how to better integrate community engagement strategies between DRC Urban projects and organizational sectors.

Responsibilities:

• In charge of a cluster (within the project area), comprising of a sizable number of refugee and host community entrepreneurs for support.
• Conduct outreach to target communities served by DRC Urban program as well as mobilize them to participate in project planning, financial inclusion activities through Community Savings & Loans Associations (CSLAs) and other project partner-driven activities.
• Recruit refugee and host community entrepreneurs and CSLAs in the designated cluster/project area through a set criterion for selection.
• Be involved in capacity building initiative and activities for the selected entrepreneurs using the International Labour Organization (ILO) training tools.
• Work with other stakeholders intervening in the cluster through establishing and maintaining sound working and collaborative relationship.
• Ensuring that beneficiaries within the assigned cluster get financial services/loans from the commercial bank partner in the project- KCB Bank. These services and products include Sharia-compliant products.
• Work closely with the digital partner; Chamasoft Ltd to ensure financial inclusion is enhanced through the use of digital products.
• Support in ensuring that refugee entrepreneurs receive the necessary documentation to be able to fully participate in entrepreneurship activities. These documents include and are not limited to Refugee ID cards, KRA PIN, business licences. This also includes acquisition of mobile phone SIM cards and registration in mobile money platforms.
• Provide periodical reports on the status of activities and entrepreneurs in the assigned cluster.
• Maintain networks with community leaders to ensure targeting is appropriately done in an accountable and transparent manner.
• Provide feedback to DRC as received from the community including identified gaps and community emerging needs including recommendations for appropriate action.
• Coordination and representation of DRC in Urban refugee forums when called upon by the supervisor.
• Assist in participatory needs assessments with a focus on DRC’s sectoral objectives if and when planned/or conducted.
• Contribute to strengthen DRC Urban program’s community engagement strategies by providing recommendations to the supervisor.
• Monitor the progress of beneficiaries supported and prepare monitoring/implementation reports. Also participate in the establishment of a database of the supported entrepreneurs in the components of the project- Economic Recovery, Protection and Advocacy.
• Ensure proper documentation (relevant reports as required by the project) and as per the DRC data protection guidelines or policy.
• Constantly gather relevant and vital information to the Urban Program work and share such with immediate supervisor for reflection and appropriate programmatic action.
• Identify, cultivate relationships and coordinate with fellow Community Engagement Facilitators or outreach officers either in DRC Urban program or other agencies working in similar context.
• Ensure CHS standards are mainstreamed throughout the project cycle.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor as aligned or relevant to DRC’s community engagement work.

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Must have 2 years’ experience working within urban refugee’s community context.
• Working knowledge of the Community Savings & Loans Associations’ model or any other informal lending processes in the urban context.
• Certification in the ILO capacity building tools is a plus.
• Working knowledge of Protection issues around urban refugees.
• Skillful and diplomatic in networking with communities and local authorities as well as partners in urban refugee environment.
• Must have good work ethic and personal integrity.
• Must possess good written and spoken communication skills.
• Must possess basic computer and report writing skills.
• A team player, able to take direction and work collaboratively with others.
• Able to complete required work within the set deadlines.
• Able to maintain highest level of confidentiality.
• Ability to work at grassroots level and communicate professionally with community members and professional partners.
• Ability to promote the values of equality, non-discrimination, and human rights for all.

Education:

• Certificate, Diploma or a university degree.
• The Eastleigh cluster Community Engagement Facilitator MUST BE female and fluent in Somali and Oromo language besides proficiency in English and Kiswahili.
• The Githurai cluster Community Engagement Facilitator may be either male or female but fluent in both English and Kiswahili.

Conditions:  
Contract duration: 1-year contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council terms of employment for National staff.
Reporting to: Project Manager  
Availability: October 2024
Location:  Eastleigh and Githurai
Key stakeholders:
Internal:  DRC staff, DRC/or project partners
External: Refugees and host community, Counterparts from other urban refugee agencies, Local administration

General
Commitments: 
DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)

Application Process:
Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications, which should include a 1-page cover letter clearly stating their motivation, and qualifications and a CV. Applications should include contact details of three professional referees who have supervised the candidate in the last five years. One referee must be the applicant’s most recent manager. Only applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.  
We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. Applications should be sent no later than: 20th September 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.