Economic Recovery & Development Coordinator at International Rescue Committee

Job Description

The Economic Recovery & Development (ERD) Coordinator will coordinate and oversee the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of livelihoods programs for IRC Kenya focused on beneficiary income and asset generation. This includes the Re:Build urban livelihoods project funded by IKEA Foundation, programming in the refugee camps and other current and future economic recovery programs. The ERD Coordinator will liaise with other technical coordinators within IRC to advance a cohesive, integrated country programme. The ERD Coordinator plays a vital role in advancing IRCs ambitions, strategies and priorities amongst fellow agency, government, private sector, and community partners, as well as the Livelihoods Working Group within the interagency coordination structure. Internally, the role is a primary interlocutor with IRC’s headquarter-based Economic Recovery and Development Technical Advisor and Officers to ensure coordination and complementarily of programming, as well as appropriate technical rigor in project design and implementation. The ERD Coordinator is responsible for overall management of the livelihood’s portfolio, providing any and all support necessary to ensure successful implementation of ERD livelihoods assistance programming and proposal development/project design for prospective projects. This includes/may include enterprise development and employment initiatives, cash/voucher programming, financial inclusion, value chain development, agro-pastoralism/rural livelihoods, vocational training/certification programs, and other activities. In line with IRC SAP 100 ambitions and as part of the scope of work, the ERD Coordinator will drive the ambition to scale up IRC cash-based programming, integration within all sectors of IRCs programming and ensuring also IRC involvement in the relevant cash coordination forums at national and county level.
This position reports to the Deputy Director for Programs and is based in Nairobi with regular travel to program sites across the Country.

Specific Responsibilities

 Technical Quality and Program Development

• Provide direction and monitor staff in their implementation of project workplans and quality of technical activities, including program budget oversight.
• Ensure appropriate methodologies and technical approaches are developed for all program activities – working with IRC’s ERD Technical Advisors to ensure global best practices are applied to programming.
• Ensure alignment of livelihoods programming with IRC global strategic plan and relevant theories of change.
• Identify opportunities for growth of livelihoods programming portfolio including existing gaps/beneficiary needs and areas for innovation and expansion, including through market assessments.
• Contribute to development of country office’s sector-relevant strategic direction and plans including ongoing development of livelihoods programming staffing and management structures.
• Along with program staff and the Technical Unit/Advisors, support the development of Standard Operating Procedures and Guidance Notes for program activities.
• Ensure regular monitoring and modification of ongoing programming as required.

Grant Planning & Monitoring

• Support proposal development process for livelihoods-related programming as needed.
• Prepare relevant and quality IRC and donor reports as per agreed-upon schedules (monthly, quarterly and/or annually) on grant activities, indicators and achievements.
• Work closely and coordinate with IRC logistics, finance and grant staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures; including active participation in procurement, supply chain, grant and other meetings. Has budget authority to pre-approved limits and responsibility for budget development and compliance under the direction of the DDP.
• Together with the Deputy Director for Grants and Accountability and the M&E Coordinator, develop and implement a full monitoring and evaluation framework for all livelihoods activities (including development of livelihood indicators) as well as learning strategies, and adapt them to the different program methodologies.

Human Resources Management

• Provide technical direction and managerial oversight of livelihoods staff to include ERD Manager and project staff, and provide advising and guidance to staff across other sectors (e.g., women’s empowerment, protection, governance, and system strengthening etc.) on integrated programming inclusive of ERD activities.
• Set specific goals and expectations and provide regular, positive and constructive feedback to direct reports.
• Build capacity of the team under his/her supervision in basic assistance and livelihoods support methodologies, as well as management capacity, both individually and through conducting/coordinating staff training exercises.
• Help to recruit and screen livelihoods project staff as team grows.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Ensure timely completion and submission of interim and annual employee performance reviews.
• If/as required, identify staff performance issues and works with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Responsible for adhering to IRC’s Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures

Coordination & Representation

• Develop and maintain effective coordination and long-term relationships with external stakeholders including fellow agencies/NGOS, government departments and ministries, community-based organizations and partners, donors, and others in accurately and professionally representing IRC positions, promoting long-term strategies, and resolving problems/conflicts.
• Actively advance IRC’s connections to economic actors/private sector at a local, regional and national level, seeking avenues for partnership, collaboration and coordination of activities to ensure sustainability of interventions.
• Oversee the IRC’s relationship with consortia implementing partners and support the identification of new partners as it relates to new programming.
• Regularly engage with the ERD Technical Advisor and other Technical Unit Advisors and Specialists to benchmark programming to IRC standards and ensure application of best practices.
• Participate in IRC and external working groups and communities of practice around livelihoods to advance livelihoods strategies, disseminate research and program successes, discuss implementation challenges, and share best practices.
• Support the sharing of information and learning across livelihoods-related programs based in Kenya and throughout the Horn and East Africa region.

Other

• Undertake ERD program administrative roles that includes coordination of field activities.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

Qualifications

• BA/BS Degree in international development, economics, humanitarian assistance or other field that provides a  and/or related certification required; MA/MS/MBA a plus
• Minimum of 5 years professional experience in humanitarian assistance (emergency settings) and development programming, with specific experience in food security, sustainable livelihoods and enterprise development approaches.
• Proven practical experience in food security assessments, cash-based interventions, market analysis.
• Demonstrated private sector experience, or experience supporting business, small business / micro-credit interventions and skill development.
• Community development skills, including participatory community assessment and planning techniques, with skills in capacity building of communities and experience of working with livelihoods groups/community-based structures
• Strong program/technical and budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation skills
• INGO experience required; experience with coordination systems or advocacy preferable
• Must be capable of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training and the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili required

COMPETENCIES

• Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties
• Strong cross-cultural communication skills and comfortable working as part of a diverse team. Sensitive to interpersonal differences and a range of viewpoints.
• Highly diplomatic with excellent political awareness and advanced negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated advance planning and organizational skills. Able to effectively prioritize and follow multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Flexible and innovative. Able to adapt plans and pivot approaches in response to changes in context.
• Proactive, reliable, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• A sound understanding of the importance of gender in programme work.