Project Officer: VSLA & MEDS at Danish Refugee Council

PURPOSE
The incumbent will implement and supervise all DRC’s livelihood activities including micro-enterprise, income generation, group savings and loans, revolving funds, business/saving skills training and strengthening of small scale businesses as well as the vocational skill within the refugee camps and the Host community living Dadaab Refugee camps.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Livelihoods Project Management

• Implement livelihoods activities in local communities with emphasis on promoting group development through support, coaching, mentoring, regular feedback and identification of investment needs and opportunities.
• Supervise the micro enterprise development and VSLA component activities under the livelihoods project Including facilitation of baseline surveys, needs assessment and conduct consultative meetings with the project stakeholders
• Supervise the implementation of the self-fund mobilization initiatives, group savings and loans, revolving funds as well as funds utilization
• Train project beneficiaries on business management, entrepreneurship, market linkages as well as financial literacy and value chain development skills training.
• Promotion of market and financial linkages for the project beneficiaries
• Prepare weekly, monthly narrative, Quarterly, Mid-year and annual progress reports
• Take lead in conducting Training Needs Assessments for different groups in order to identify areas of training in Business Development
• Enhance the linkages between the livelihoods groups and other related players in the respective value-chains
• Assist in the documentation of Human Interest Stories, Case studies

Programme Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Carry out participatory needs assessments and identify appropriate livelihood interventions to increase incomes for the local community and reduce poverty in the target areas
• Participate in periodic program review and planning meetings; and external meetings as often as requested by the Livelihoods Team Leader.
• Ensure project staff adhere to HAP Principles in day to day project implementation; participate in HAP audits; support M&E plan.
• Assist in developing livelihoods concept notes and proposals.
• Coordinate field reporting: prepare technical internal and external reporting.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Activity reporting and documentation

Coordination & Partnership

• Serve as the liaison with stakeholders and relevant Government of Kenya departments from the location to divisional levels
• Promote collaboration and synergy between the DRC host community project and the similar projects/groups in the Dadaab refugee camps.
• In the absence of the Team Leader – Livelihoods, represent DRC in coordination meetings.

Budget Management

• Supervise the budget expenditures, ensuring adherence to DRC financial procedures and donor requirements
• Draft spending plans, procurement plans, and work plans based on activities and budgets.
• Help to the draft livelihoods interventions budgets.
• Liaise closely with finances officer.

Staff Management

• Hold regular meetings with staff to plan and address any concerns and share feedback
• Monitor and provide objective feedback related to staff performance, including completing staff performance evaluations to promote growth and professional development
• Provide leadership and support to ensure staff well-being, i.e. monitor and manage stress management by providing regular opportunities for staff debriefing to address secondary trauma.
• Other duties assigned by the supervisor and/or management

DRC CORE COMPETENCIES

• Striving for excellence; Focus on reaching results while ensuring efficiency. Strive to produce accurate, thorough and professional work with optimal use of time and effort.
• Collaborating; cooperate with and involve relevant parties, actively seeking their opinion and sharing key information with them. Support and trust others while encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead; Take ownership and prioritize job according to DRC’s overall vision and goals. Take the initiative when confronted with a challenge or an opportunity and aim for innovative solutions.
• Communicating; Write and speak effectively and honestly while adjusting style and tone to the situation. Listen actively to others and involve them in the dialogue.
• Demonstrating integrity; Act in line with DRC’s vison, values and collaboration standards. Encourage inclusion and diversity to ensure sustainable solutions. Actively involve, respect and empower our stakeholders.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Essential Skills & Qualifications:
• Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, Entrepreneurship or Sociology
• Minimum 4 years’ experience setting up and implementing livelihoods or income generating projects preferably with an NGO in a refugee/IDP setting
• Skills or training in basic book keeping or administration is desirable
• Prior experience working with local governments and stakeholders in implementation of projects
• Knowledge of the key issues and trends in Food Security and Livelihoods intervention
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; well organized, and able to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Working knowledge of MS Office and other relevant computer applications,
• A keen understanding of business/enterprise development and development issues including Groups Savings and Loan approaches
• Understanding of Value Chains analysis
• Able to adapt to changing program priorities and emergency priorities that may arise
• Strong self-starter, able to take initiatives.
• Good planning and organizational skills coupled with problem solving capabilities
• Hands-on community mobilization skills
• Experience in working in harsh climatic conditions and ability to communicate fluently in the Somali language will be an added advantage.

Preferable:

• Experience in a refugee setting and knowledge of refugee issues.

REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS
Reporting To: Livelihoods Team Leader
Staff Reporting: Livelihoods Assistants; VSLA assistants & lead Technical instructor

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title : Project Officer: VSLA & MEDS Location : Dadaab
Duration:5 Months with the possibility of Extension