The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a prominent humanitarian organization dedicated to protecting the rights and improving the lives of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host communities. Founded in 1956, DRC operates in over 35 countries, including Kenya, where it has become a leading actor in humanitarian assistance and durable solutions. With a strong presence in Mandera County, DRC implements integrated protection, economic recovery, peacebuilding, and displacement-focused programming.
DRC is now seeking a skilled and dynamic Economic Recovery Officer to support its innovative and community-centered economic recovery interventions in Mandera County. This role presents an exciting opportunity for development professionals with a passion for market-based livelihoods, community empowerment, and cross-border economic linkages. The position is anchored in a consortium framework and involves coordination with multiple stakeholders, including government bodies, implementing partners, and local communities.
Position Title: Economic Recovery Officer
Location: Mandera, Kenya
Contract Type: National Contract
Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension based on performance and funding)
Application Deadline: 9th July 2025
Starting Date: July 2025
Reference Number: 174016
About the Role
The Economic Recovery Officer will work under the supervision of the Project Manager and will take the lead in implementing economic recovery activities under the BORESHA programme. The officer will coordinate project implementation with technical teams, partners, and relevant government and non-government stakeholders. The successful candidate will be instrumental in promoting inclusive market development, enhancing livelihoods for vulnerable populations, and integrating market systems development (MSD) approaches across the project cycle.
The role has a special focus on increasing resilience and income-generating capabilities of youth and women in cross-border regions connecting Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. The officer will be based at DRC’s Mandera field office and will undertake regular field visits to monitor and guide project activities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Programme Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation
- Conduct participatory community-based needs assessments to identify economic vulnerabilities and inform appropriate intervention strategies.
- Apply an in-depth understanding of market systems and facilitation-based development approaches to design effective, sustainable economic recovery activities.
- Promote inclusive market opportunities, especially for women, youth, and smallholder farmers.
- Lead the preparation of quarterly work plans and procurement requisitions aligned with the project workplan and funding timeline.
- Contribute to and participate in periodic review and planning meetings, including consortium-led technical meetings and DRC internal programme reviews.
- Coordinate lesson documentation, analysis, and dissemination to improve project design and effectiveness.
- Provide technical inputs to internal and external reporting processes, including EU-compliant reporting formats.
- Collaborate with the MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) team to implement and monitor M&E plans.
- Conduct post-implementation monitoring to ensure sustainability and community impact of interventions.
- Identify and register beneficiaries for project support, including those participating in financial inclusion initiatives such as savings groups or vocational training.
- Design and develop customized training manuals for beneficiaries and deliver relevant training sessions across economic sectors.
- Offer technical support and continuous mentoring to beneficiaries to improve livelihood outcomes.
- Compile, organize, and store project documentation to maintain compliance with donor and DRC internal standards.
- Collect and process community feedback to inform project adaptations and fill the monthly accountability report templates.
- Uphold and implement the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) principles during all phases of project execution.
- Draft technical inputs for future concept notes and project proposals aimed at funding continuation or expansion.
2. Coordination and Partnership
- Foster coordination and partnership among BORESHA consortium members, DRC Kenya teams, implementing partners, local authorities, and relevant non-governmental actors.
- Engage with diverse market actors, including private sector players and cooperatives, to strengthen local economic ecosystems.
- Maintain effective liaison with local government departments across both location and divisional levels to ensure smooth project implementation and regulatory alignment.
- Represent the project in external meetings with government officials, donor agencies, and humanitarian coordination platforms.
- Support the preparation of Project Management Meetings (PMM) and provide progress updates.
- Facilitate information sharing and coordination with project partners to ensure timely updates on weekly and monthly project implementation.
3. Budget and Financial Management
- Assist in the development and adjustment of project budgets in response to evolving needs and priorities.
- Monitor budget utilization and support the Project Manager in identifying and addressing under- or over-spending.
- Develop accurate and timely quarterly budget forecasts for relevant economic recovery activities.
- Participate in monthly Budget Follow-Up (BFU) meetings to assess financial performance and advise on spending plans.
Experience and Technical Competence
- A minimum of three years of progressive experience in livelihoods, microenterprise development, income generation, or agricultural economics within the NGO or humanitarian sector.
- Practical experience with Market Systems Development (MSD), value chain development, Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA), disaster risk reduction (DRR), and livestock health interventions.
- Prior experience working in Mandera County or cross-border programming contexts is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated capacity to design and facilitate training sessions and community engagement forums.
- Proficiency in financial literacy programming, business mentoring, or other integrated economic development approaches is an added advantage.
- Strong coordination skills with proven experience working with government and non-government actors at the grassroots level.
- Excellent time management, multitasking, and prioritization abilities.
- Technological competence, particularly with MS Office and relevant digital tools used for field-level data collection and analysis.
- Willingness and flexibility to adapt to changing field conditions and operational priorities.
Educational Requirements
Applicants must hold a university degree in one of the following fields:
- Agribusiness Management
- Agricultural Economics
- Business Administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Other disciplines relevant to livelihoods and economic recovery
Key Stakeholder Engagement
The Economic Recovery Officer will be expected to collaborate with the following stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle:
- DRC programme and MEAL teams (field and country offices)
- Government officials at the national and county levels
- Consortium partners and implementing organizations
- Community-based groups and local market actors
- Donor representatives and INGOs working in Mandera or across the Kenya-Ethiopia-Somalia border
Core Competencies Expected
In line with DRC’s operational values, the successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following core competencies:
- Striving for excellence: Committed to achieving high-quality results through efficient and effective methods.
- Collaborating: Engages constructively with others and encourages mutual feedback.
- Taking the lead: Demonstrates initiative, leadership, and the ability to innovate for positive change.
- Communicating: Practices active listening and transparent communication.
- Demonstrating integrity: Acts consistently with DRC’s vision, mission, and values.
Conditions of Employment
- Duration: Initial six-month contract, subject to extension based on performance and availability of funding.
- Duty Station: Mandera Base Office, Kenya
- Start Date: July 2025
- Employment Terms: As per DRC Kenya’s national employment policy and salary structure
Application Process
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications via the DRC online recruitment platform. All applicants must submit:
- A detailed cover letter addressing their suitability for the role
- A comprehensive CV in English
Only applications submitted through the official DRC portal at www.drc.ngo under the Vacancies section will be considered. Please refrain from attaching recommendation letters. The deadline for submission is 9th July 2025.
Gender and Diversity Considerations
DRC is dedicated to achieving gender balance across its staffing and ensuring equal opportunity for individuals from all backgrounds. Women and individuals from minority communities are especially encouraged to apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer
DRC is committed to creating a respectful and inclusive working environment for all. We do not discriminate based on age, gender, religion, ethnic origin, disability status, marital status, or any other protected characteristics. We uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation and abuse. Background checks and reference verification will form part of the recruitment process.
Safeguarding Commitment
DRC maintains robust systems to ensure the safety and dignity of all persons of concern, especially vulnerable groups. All staff are expected to abide by DRC’s Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies at all times.
For further information or to report difficulties with the application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.
