The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a renowned humanitarian, non-governmental, and non-profit organization established in 1956. With active operations in over 35 countries, DRC is committed to supporting the rights and livelihoods of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other vulnerable groups affected by conflict, displacement, or natural disasters.
In Kenya, DRC is one of the largest actors in the protection sector, championing efforts to improve the protective environment for both refugees and host communities. The organization implements protection monitoring, child protection, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, and responsive programs in its operational areas. These initiatives are focused on addressing pressing protection concerns faced by both displaced and at-risk non-displaced populations.
DRC’s comprehensive approach includes integration with Economic Recovery programming, designed to support durable solutions and human development. This is further enhanced through Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding activities, with a strategic focus on addressing the immediate needs and long-term resilience of communities impacted by both acute crises and protracted displacement scenarios.
As part of the ongoing effort to expand and strengthen its Economic Recovery operations in Kenya, DRC is currently seeking applications from qualified individuals for the position of Economic Recovery Officer, stationed at the Mandera Base Office.
Overall Purpose of the Role
The Economic Recovery Officer will work directly under the Project Manager and will be responsible for overseeing and executing various components within the Economic Recovery sector. This includes activities with a strong understanding of market systems development (MSD), targeting especially women and youth across cross-border markets in the Dollo-Ado region of Ethiopia and Gedo region of Somalia.
The role requires active engagement with the Project Coordinator for Inclusive Markets, Technical Implementing Groups (TIGs), project partners, and relevant stakeholders. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to manage field-level implementation, ensure quality control, and facilitate coordination with the broader DRC Kenya team. Experience in similar operating contexts is highly encouraged.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Programme Management, Development, Monitoring, and Evaluation
- Conduct participatory needs assessments in the targeted regions to determine the appropriate economic recovery strategies that would enhance income generation and improve the long-term resilience of local communities.
- Develop a robust understanding of facilitation-based market interventions, with particular emphasis on smallholder farmers, youth, and gender-specific challenges and opportunities in the targeted market systems.
- Develop quarterly workplans and raise corresponding procurement requisitions to ensure alignment with the overall project workplan.
- Participate actively in scheduled project review meetings, both internal and external, to ensure comprehensive planning, performance tracking, and quality assurance.
- Take the lead in documentation and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices, and ensure feedback loops into future planning and project design.
- Compile technical reports for internal and donor use, ensuring full compliance with the EU and DRC reporting standards.
- Support the MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) unit in implementing M&E plans, conducting field monitoring, and collecting community feedback.
- Participate in monthly Budget Follow-Up (BFU) meetings to evaluate budget utilization and recommend strategic adjustments where necessary.
- Identify and select project beneficiaries in accordance with the set selection criteria and ensure continuous monitoring throughout the project cycle.
- Develop training manuals and deliver training sessions to beneficiaries, ensuring knowledge transfer and capacity strengthening.
- Provide continuous mentorship and field support to project beneficiaries, including guidance on group dynamics, business planning, and entrepreneurship.
- Maintain meticulous documentation of all project activities, including training attendance sheets, meeting minutes, and beneficiary data.
- Gather feedback through regular community engagement sessions and feed findings into the accountability and learning framework.
2. Coordination and Partnership
- Foster collaboration among BORESHA consortium members, local implementing partners, and government authorities to promote synergy and operational harmony.
- Develop partnerships with market actors and relevant private sector players, facilitating business linkages and promoting inclusive market development.
- Support effective coordination with national and county-level authorities in the project target areas, including participation in relevant forums and working groups.
- Act as the primary field contact for external stakeholders, including government officials, development agencies, and private sector representatives.
- Provide timely updates to the Project Manager and consortium leads, facilitating smooth information flow and enhancing decision-making processes.
3. Budget Management
- Support in the development of activity-based budgets during the project planning and proposal development stages.
- Monitor budget expenditure in real-time, identify any under or over-expenditure, and provide recommendations to the Project Manager.
- Forecast quarterly activity budgets and submit timely requisitions to ensure uninterrupted implementation.
- Actively participate in monthly budget review meetings and provide input on expenditure tracking and financial compliance.
Experience and Technical Competence
- Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing livelihoods, income generation, or economic development projects in complex and fragile environments, preferably with a focus on northern Kenya or cross-border programming.
- Proven knowledge and practical application of the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach, value chain analysis, and small business development.
- Experience in implementing integrated programs combining financial literacy, vocational training, VSLA formation, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and animal health interventions.
- Familiarity with government coordination structures, local development planning frameworks, and experience working in partnership with local authorities and civil society organizations.
- Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize tasks in dynamic field conditions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality technical reports and training materials.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and digital data collection platforms.
Education
- Applicants must hold a degree in Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Economics, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, or other related disciplines relevant to livelihoods and economic recovery.
Language
- Fluency in Somali is a mandatory requirement for this position, given the operational context.
Key Stakeholders
- Programme implementation teams and MEAL staff in the Mandera Field and Country Offices
- National and county government authorities
- International NGOs and local NGOs
- Donors and funding agencies
- Technical Implementing Groups and other project partners
About You
In addition to meeting the technical requirements, candidates are expected to embody DRC’s core competencies in their work:
- Striving for Excellence: Demonstrate commitment to delivering quality results through efficient and impactful programming.
- Collaborating: Actively seek collaboration and feedback from team members, partners, and stakeholders.
- Taking the Lead: Take initiative and ownership of assigned responsibilities, with a willingness to propose and drive innovations.
- Communicating: Communicate clearly, effectively, and honestly, both in writing and verbally.
- Demonstrating Integrity: Uphold DRC values and safeguard ethical standards in all professional activities.
Conditions of Employment
- Contract Duration: One-year contract, renewable subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance.
- Availability: May 2025
- Duty Station: Mandera Base Office, Kenya
- Salary and Benefits: Competitive salary in line with DRC’s Terms of Employment for national staff. Additional benefits may include medical cover, leave entitlements, and professional development opportunities.
Application Instructions
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a comprehensive CV, will be considered. Kindly note the following:
- DRC only accepts applications submitted through the online application form available on the DRC website.
- Do not attach written recommendations.
- All applications must be submitted in English.
- Deadline for submission: 7th April, 2025
Gender Equality Commitment
DRC is dedicated to achieving gender parity across all staffing levels. In this regard, female candidates and individuals from minority backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Equal Opportunities Statement
As an equal opportunity employer, DRC embraces diversity and inclusion across all levels of the organization. We are committed to creating a workplace based on mutual respect and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, disability, religion, ethnicity, race, or marital status.
Safeguarding and Ethics
DRC’s ability to provide quality humanitarian support is rooted in its commitment to the highest standards of professional conduct. All staff are expected to adhere to DRC’s Code of Conduct, including safeguarding policies related to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. Comprehensive background checks will be conducted for successful candidates as part of our recruitment process.
If you experience challenges during the application process, kindly visit www.drc.ngo/jobsupport for further assistance.
