The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a renowned humanitarian, non-governmental, and non-profit organization, founded in 1956 and currently operating in more than 35 countries worldwide. In Kenya, DRC is one of the largest protection actors, implementing programmes in protection monitoring, child protection, and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response.
DRC also actively coordinates with stakeholders to improve the protective environment for both refugees and host communities. Its work includes cross-cutting initiatives with economic recovery and humanitarian disarmament and peacebuilding, striving for long-term and sustainable solutions to displacement.
As DRC expands its innovative finance and private sector engagement initiatives, the role of Innovative Finance Coordinator will be pivotal in operationalizing the Refugee Investment Facility (RIF) and unlocking private sector potential to deliver inclusive and sustainable impact.
Job Opportunity: Innovative Finance Coordinator
Location: Country Office, Nairobi
Type of Contract: 6-month contract, renewable based on funding and performance
Availability: Starting July 2025
Application Deadline: 4th June, 2025
Working Language: English and Swahili
Overall Purpose of the Role
The Innovative Finance Coordinator will support DRC Kenya in advancing its innovative finance and private sector development agenda. The role is central to implementing the Refugee Investment Facility (RIF) — an impact investment platform developed in collaboration with Swiss firm iGravity. The RIF offers concessional loans to enterprises that benefit refugees and host communities in the areas of employment, access to services, financial inclusion, and capacity development.
The Coordinator will oversee RIF’s Technical Assistance Facility (TAF), identify investees, provide pre- and post-investment support, lead refugee impact assessments, and integrate private sector actors into DRC’s broader programming.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Refugee Investment Technical Assistance
Pre-Investment Technical Assistance
- Identify companies with potential for positive refugee impact via DRC networks and refer them to the RIF/iGravity Investment Officers.
- Screen companies for alignment with refugee community needs.
- Assess enterprise impact within displacement-affected communities.
Post-Investment Technical Assistance
- Design technical assistance strategies per company in collaboration with DRC teams and RIF partners.
- Pinpoint business capacity needs and identify community engagement pathways.
- Define customized refugee impact metrics for each investee.
- Submit technical assistance proposals for RIF Investment Committee approval.
- Provide strategic advisory support to investees on:
- Impact management systems
- Community engagement strategies
- Refugee-inclusive business practices
- Market and ecosystem analysis
- Lead impact monitoring through annual reports, management consultations, and field visits.
- Facilitate linkages between RIF investees and other DRC economic recovery initiatives.
2. Coordination and MEAL Activities
- Coordinate Kenya-based RIF activities with DRC HQ and iGravity leads.
- Collaborate with Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) teams for baseline assessments, community feedback, and evaluation processes.
- Gather, analyze, and report data on community-level outcomes from RIF investments.
3. Private Sector Partnerships and Innovative Finance Concept Development
- Identify and explore partnerships with companies offering potential for refugee-positive outcomes, such as job creation and access to services.
- Support DRC’s global innovation team in conceptualizing new financing mechanisms for refugee and host communities.
- Engage in proposal writing, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising strategies to support innovative financing streams.
- Contribute to organizational business development through external representation and strategic communications.
4. Finance and Administration
- Ensure compliance with DRC and donor financial procedures in all project components.
- Monitor project expenditures to align with approved budgets.
- Participate in monthly budget review meetings to ensure financial health of projects.
- Make decisions guided by value-for-money principles.
Experience and Technical Competencies
To succeed in this role, you should have a solid understanding of both humanitarian contexts and market-based solutions:
- Minimum 5 years’ experience engaging businesses in refugee or marginalized contexts.
- Proven ability in:
- Social impact financing
- Market systems development
- Private sector partnerships
- Business development with a social focus
- Demonstrated expertise in:
- Private sector development
- Economic recovery in humanitarian settings
- Designing and implementing impact frameworks
- Deep understanding of the refugee and host community context in Kenya.
- Strong network and connections with relevant private sector actors in Kenya.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
- Familiarity with humanitarian accountability standards such as the Core Humanitarian Standards.
Education Requirements
- Master’s Degree in International Development, MBA/Finance, or International Relations.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English (written and verbal).
- Excellent verbal communication skills in Swahili.
Key Internal and External Stakeholders
Internal:
- DRC Regional and Global Innovative Finance Specialists
- DRC Economic Recovery Technical Unit
- DRC Country Program Teams
- MEAL Teams
- Support Units
External:
- Displacement-affected communities
- iGravity (RIF focal points)
- UNHCR and other INGOs/NNGOs
- Office of the Prime Minister
- Private sector actors
About You
At DRC, we value integrity, collaboration, innovation, and excellence. In this position, you are expected to exhibit DRC’s five core competencies:
- Striving for excellence: Set high goals and consistently deliver quality results.
- Collaborating: Work effectively across teams and embrace feedback.
- Taking the lead: Show initiative and innovate to solve complex challenges.
- Communicating: Listen actively and speak with honesty and clarity.
- Demonstrating integrity: Align with DRC’s values in all actions.
Working at DRC
- Contract Duration: 6 months (extension possible based on performance and funding)
- Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
- Start Date: July 2025
Why Work with DRC?
Joining DRC means becoming part of a globally recognized humanitarian organization committed to excellence, innovation, and impact. You will work with dedicated professionals and communities on cutting-edge initiatives that change lives.
We offer an inclusive and respectful working environment, opportunities for professional development, and a chance to contribute to meaningful change in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Gender and Inclusion Statement
DRC is committed to achieving gender equality and increasing representation from marginalized groups. We strongly encourage female candidates and persons from minority backgrounds to apply.
Equal Opportunities Employer
DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to building an inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, religion, race, ethnicity, disability status, or marital status.
Safeguarding and Code of Conduct
DRC is committed to the highest ethical standards, including the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. All selected candidates undergo rigorous background checks.
To learn more about DRC’s safeguarding and ethical standards, please visit our official website: www.drc.ngo
How to Apply
If you are excited about this opportunity and meet the requirements, we encourage you to apply through our online recruitment system.
Please apply no later than 4th June 2025.
Applications should include both your CV and motivational letter. Do not include written recommendations at this stage.
For all applications, visit:
