Economic Recovery Officer – Financial Inclusion

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 Officer is to provide sound technical expertise to a financial inclusion project funded by Sweden and led by DRC in collaboration with KCB Bank, KCB Foundation and Chamasoft Ltd. The role will directly report to the Economic Recovery Coordinator and support the day-to-day implementation of the economic recovery related activities in the project as well as contribute to the recruitment and management of the Economic Recovery Assistants. In addition, the position holder will undertake other duties as assigned by the Economic Recovery Coordinator.  

Duties & Responsibilities:

Project Management/Development, Monitoring & Evaluation

• Plan, oversee and support the broad implementation of financial inclusion activities in the SDACKED project in Mandera.
• Remain abreast of topical developments related to economic recovery and financial inclusion that will promote community participation in the financial sector hence improving their economic/livelihoods well-being.
• Promote sector learning and knowledge management in the Livelihoods sector through: collating findings/ information collected from the field as well as routine monitoring to draw lessons.
• Lead in community mobilization, sensitization, formation of groups and training of Community Savings & Loans Associations (CSLAs) on Entrepreneurship & Business Management as well as Financial Literacy to promote financial inclusion to vulnerable and unbanked communities.
• Develop and or adopt sector guidelines and tools in support of livelihoods programming & implementation.
• Submit timely and high-quality activity, donor and internal progress reports.
• Work closely with the Protection, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning), Communication & Advocacy teams to enhance project integration through well-thought-out strategies.
• Ensure livelihoods sector growth through fundraising; identification of sector gaps and root causes analysis, and take lead in developing quality concept notes/proposals with corresponding activity budgets.
• Support the Economic Recovery team in project kick-off, review and closure meetings.
• Participate in periodic programme review, planning and external meetings as often and as requested by the supervisor.
• Ensure project staff adhere to CHS principles in implementation; participate in CHS audits and support the MEAL plan.

Coordination & Partnership

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders, including urban refugee and host community members and leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, DRS (Department of Refugees Services), FSP (financial service providers) and other DRC team members including partners, to enhance multi-agency and multi-sectoral cooperation and coordination on response activities.
• Promote collaboration and synergy between refugee-focused interventions and the host communities.
• Actively participate and engage in relevant coordination meetings and collaborate with other agencies of relevance/value add to DRC’s agenda.

Budget Management

• Provide support to ensure sound budget expenditure, adherence to DRC’s financial procedure and donor requirements as related to the livelihoods sector.
• Draft spending plans, procurement plans, and work plans based on livelihood activities and budgets.
• Participate in Budget Follow-up meetings to ensure the budget is tracked and over/under expenditure is addressed on time.

Staff Supervision

• Mentor, provide technical supervision and capacity building support, and facilitate performance development of Economic Recovery Assistants.

Technical Implementation

• Implement technical activities related to financial inclusion including building the capacity of CSLAs as well as work with the appointed fintech company to digitize CSLAs.
• Provide technical leadership to other project staff on best practice around financial inclusion and business practices, focusing on community engagement.
• Conduct training on Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship Skills; working with micro-enterprises to strengthen business plans and operations

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Minimum of 3 years of field experience in leading and managing economic recovery/livelihoods programming in an international Public Benefits Organization (PBO) or any other relevant agency.
• Experience implementing financial inclusion interventions and models like micro-finance, CSLA/VSLA, Savings & Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO), is an added advantage.
• Technical experience in financial inclusion programming including working with CSLAs, developing the capacity of micro-enterprises, working with formal financial institutions.
• Experience working with sharia-compliant finance sector is an added advantage.
• Experience working with digital service providers including the implementation of digital solutions.
• Strong project management skills with experience managing multiple location, sector project budgets.
• Experience in the digitization of savings groups, enterprises, or social associations is an added advantage.
• Strong 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 planning skills.
• A demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, 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 is essential  .

Language: 

• Written and spoken fluency in English and Kiswahili

Source: https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=171291&DepartmentId=19013&MediaId=5