Overall purpose of the role:

The holder of this position within the Supporting Displacement Affected Communities in Kenya with Entrepreneurship Development (SDACKED) project will manage a team of Economic Recovery Officer and Economic Recovery Assistants to effectively implement the financial inclusion project. The overall responsibility of the Economic Recovery Coordinator is to provide sound technical expertise to the financial inclusion project funded by Sweden and led by DRC in collaboration with KCB Bank, KCB Foundation and Chamasoft Ltd. The role will directly report to the Project Manager and support the day-to-day implementation of the economic recovery related activities in the project as well as contribute to the recruitment and management of the Economic Recovery Officer and Assistants. In addition, the position holder will undertake other duties as assigned by the Project Manager. He/she will be responsible for the overall design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of DRC’s financial inclusion/enterprise development programme in the specified area. The Economic Recovery Coordinator will provide oversight, technical support, and leadership within the DRC Economic Recovery unit around activities related to financial inclusion.

Responsibilities:

R1. Technical Expertise in Financial Inclusion:

• Provide technical guidance on financial inclusion activities, including technical design of connecting entrepreneurs to formal financial institutions.
• Provide technical guidance on the training and establishment of Community Savings & Loans Associations (CSLAs), their running and managing their growth.
• Liaise with formal financial institutions to support access to finance for hard-to-reach customers, building trust and setting up dialogue with target communities.
• Support small businesses to access finance and repay credit facilities; providing mentorship where necessary to support growth and repayment.
• Develop a pipeline of businesses in target areas that can access formal finance and support the connection of these businesses to financial institutions.
• Provide technical guidance around KYC (Know-Your-Customer) requirements for access to formal finance.
• Lead the development of a Revolving Fund to support financial inclusion in Mandera.

R2. Program Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• In collaboration with the Project Manager, provide technical leadership related to project design, development, planning, implementation, reporting and overall project management of the financial inclusion portfolio.
• Develop technically sound work plans consistent with programme goals and objectives in coordination with the Economic Recovery staff & the MEAL team.
• Develop high-quality concept notes, proposals, strategies, monitoring and evaluation plans and ensure their appropriate and timely implementation.
• Closely monitor the implementation of financial inclusion activities to timely identify any problems that may affect the achievement of intended outputs and results.
• Submit timely weekly, monthly, quarterly & annual reports to the Project Manager.
• With support from field staff and the MEAL team, ensure robust monitoring & evaluation of all Economic Recovery activities.
• Ensure timely and quality procurement of sector items and services in liaison with the Supply Chain department.
• Ensure harmonious working of the team members with other consortium partners and stakeholders.
• Lead in private sector partner engagement.

R3. Training & Capacity development:

• Organize and manage workshops, trainings and meetings that are hosted by the sector with relevant stakeholders.
• Provide ongoing technical support and mentorship to the Economic Recovery Officer and Assistants to develop professional and technical competencies.
• Support field teams to participate in and provide leadership within coordination working groups and other sectorial meetings.
• Provide technical feedback on narrative reports and ensuring that established project targets and objectives are met.

R4. Coordination & Partnership:

• Ensure that DRC is effectively represented and fully participates in all the relevant thematic and inter-agency working groups, particularly in the areas of business/entrepreneurship and finance.
• Promote a positive profile of DRC and the project by ensuring DRC’s role is well understood within and without the sector, and among other partners and communities.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with consortium partners and all other stakeholders.
• Provide higher level guidance to the market systems with private sector engagement.
• Provide guidance in mapping and engagement strategy.

R5. Budget Management:

• Manage the Economic Recovery budget in Mandera in order to maintain sound project expenditure within the set parameters; ensuring adherence to DRC financial procedures and donor requirements.
• Support the Economic Recovery team members to utilize financial planning tools, such as spending, procurement, and work plans based on activities and budgets.
• Prepare spending plans, procurement plans, and work plans based on activities and budgets.

R6. Staff Management:

• Timely support in the recruitment of competent Economic Recovery staff in case of vacancies and holding regular staff meetings for planning and feedback sharing;
• Monitoring and providing objective feedback related to staff performance, including objective setting, probation and performance evaluations to promote growth and professional development.
• Providing leadership and support to ensure proper staff well-being.

Requirements

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least five years’ experience working in banking, financial inclusion, access to finance programmes, sustainable and alternative livelihoods resilience, economic recovery and self-reliance programming.
• Good working knowledge of the Village Savings & Loans Association methodology, with excellent understanding of market systems development (MSD) approach and the Graduation model.
• Must have substantial previous experience in implementing financial inclusion and MSD programmes with good understanding of access to finance.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills; cultural sensitivity and have respect for diversity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local partners and other stakeholders.
• Experience and willingness to work in the field with proficient programme management skills.

Education: 

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Development, Economic Development, Community Development from a recognized university.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant field will be a plus.
• Knowledge of English, Kiswahili and the Somali language is an advantage.