Economic Recovery Officer- Financial Inclusion

Overall purpose of the role:
The overall responsibility of the Economic Recovery Officer- Financial Inclusion is to implement a financial inclusion activity in a project funded by DANIDA and led by DRC in partnership with DanChurch Aid (DCA) and Turkana Pastoralist Development Organization (TUPADO). The role will directly report to a Financial Inclusion Team Leader and support the day-to-day implementation of the financial inclusion related activities in the project as well as contribute to the engagement of the key financial service providers. In addition, he/she will undertake other duties as assigned by the Team Leader in a matrix management arrangement in coordination with the Project Manager to ensure the project expectations are met.

Responsibilities:
R1. Project Management/Development, Monitoring & Evaluation:

• Plan, undertake and support the broad implementation of financial inclusion activities in P2P project.

• 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 financial inclusion 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 on VSLAs as well as FED (financial enterprise development) to promote financial inclusion amongst the vulnerable and unbanked communities.

• Develop and or adopt sector guidelines and tools in support of financial inclusion activities implementation.

• Submit timely and high-quality activity and donor and internal progress reports.

• Work closely with the Protection, MEAL and Advocacy/Communication teams to enhance program integration through well-thought-out strategies.

• Ensure Financial Inclusion component growth in scope through identification of gaps and developing possible solutions.

• Work closely with MEAL unit to identify, document and disseminate relevant project success, challenges and follow up on implementation of project’s action point.

• Support the Economic Recovery team in project kick-off, review and project closure meetings including periodic program review and planning meetings and external meetings as often and as requested by the supervisor.

• Ensure project staff adhere to CHS Principles in project implementation; participate in CHS audits and support M&E plan.

  R2.Coordination & Partnership:

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders, including 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.

R3. Budget Management:

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

R4. Staff Supervision:

• Mentor, provide technical supervision and capacity building support, and facilitate the performance development of community incentive staff.

R5. Technical Implementation:

• Implement technical activities related to financial inclusion including building the capacity of VSLAs as well as work with digital partners to digitize VSLAs.
• Provide technical leadership to other project staff on best practice around financial inclusion and business practices, focusing on community engagement.
• Conduct training in financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills, working with micro-businesses to strengthen business plans and operations.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum of 3 years + of field experience in implementing economic recovery/livelihoods programming in an International NGO’ or other relevant agency
• Experience implementing Financial Inclusion interventions and models (VSLA/GS&L, Financial Education, savings groups-bank linkage) is an added advantage.
• Technical experience in financial inclusion programming including working with VSLAs, developing the capacity of micro-enterprises, working with micro-loans and formal financial institutions, providing financial inclusion training. Experience working with sharia finance an advantage.
• Experience in working with digital service providers and digital financial services including the implementation of digital solutions.
• Strong 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 project, 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).
Language:
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.

DRC’s Core competencies:
All DRC roles require the post-holder to master the below DRC’s 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 Uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Conditions:
Contract duration: 7-months 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.
Employment Category: Band H2
Reporting to: Team Leader- Financial Inclusion
Direct reports: Community Engagement Facilitators
Availability: June 2024
Location: Kakuma
Key stakeholders:
Internal: Programme Management Unit, M&E staff, implementing field teams, senior management team and support service team.
External: INGOs/NGOs, Technical Working Group(s), urban refugee and host communities, Local and National Government Authorities, relevant NGOs/CBOs and humanitarian agencies including DRC partners and donors as appropriate.

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)

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.