Economic Recovery Assistant at Danish Refugee Council

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)