Project Assistant – Financial Inclusion & Livelihoods – Maternity Cover at DanChurchAid (DCA)

Project Planning and Implementation:

• Manage the day-to-day implementation of assigned DCA projects at the field level. This entails the development of detailed implementation plans, having a teaching and facilitative role, staff supervision as well as monitoring and evaluation of the project.
• Assist in the design and development of financial inclusion initiatives.
• Supervise the Financial Inclusion team to implement project activities per the project plan.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure project activities are aligned with community needs and organizational goals.
• Support in the implementation of the project livelihoods initiatives.

Community Engagement:

• Lead the FI & Livelihood team in conducting needs assessments to identify programming gaps within the community.
• Facilitate community meetings, workshops, and focus groups to gather input and feedback.
• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, local organizations, and beneficiaries.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Develop and deliver training programs on livelihoods, financial literacy, digital financial services, and other relevant topics.
• Support community members in understanding and accessing financial products and services.
• Provide ongoing support and mentorship to community members and local partners.
• Facilitate/support collaboration and cross-learning among DCA & partner staff through information sharing, and exposure visits including active partner engagements.

Partnership Development:

• Manage and facilitate DCA partnership-building initiatives relevant to DCA’s livelihoods & financial inclusion objectives at the field level in close consultation with the Programme Coordinator. This includes operational partnerships with other operational I/NGOs, SPREAD Consortia partners, UN Agencies, Local Government Agencies, and the Private Sector.
• Identify and engage with potential partners, including financial institutions, NGOs, the private sector, and government agencies.
• Foster collaborative relationships to enhance project impact and sustainability.
• Represent the organization at meetings, conferences, and other events.

Monitoring and adaptive management:

• Monitor project progress and ensure adherence to timelines and budgets.
• Collect and analyze data to assess project outcomes and impact.
• Prepare regular reports and updates for the Programme Coordinator and other stakeholders.
• Identify and update the management on programming areas that require adaptive management.

Advocacy and Policy:

• Advocate for policies and practices that support financial inclusion and livelihoods at local and national levels.
• Stay informed about trends, best practices, and regulatory changes in the field of financial inclusion.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field. 
• Strong understanding of financial products, services, and digital financial technologies.
• Proven experience in community development work with at least 3 years’ experience in social entrepreneurship in general and financial inclusion in particular, preferably working with refugees and refugee-hosting communities. 
• Proven technical skills and hands-on experience in digital learning contexts, teaching/facilitating adult learners, and financial and digital literacy skills development for youth.
• Hands-on experience in cash-based interventions will be an added advantage. 
• A working knowledge of Turkana County or pastoral & agro-pastoralist settings is an added advantage.
• Proven project cycle management and monitoring & evaluation skills.
• Knowledge of the rights-based approach and the international standards for working with humanitarian response such as SPHERE, Code of Conduct & Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) is an added advantage.
• Good interpersonal skills and a proven team player. Self-driven and results-orientated in challenging rural working environments.