Project Officer - NYOTA Refugee Business Development Services Mentor at Danish Refugee Council

Overall purpose of the role: 
DRC has submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) for The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, supported by the World Bank and implemented by the Government of Kenya through the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), that aims to expand employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for vulnerable youth. In anticipation of being shortlisted and invited to submit a full proposal, DRC is launching this recruitment process to identify suitably qualified candidates for the proposed key positions. Any subsequent engagement will be conditional on DRC progressing to the proposal stage and ultimately being awarded the assignment.

Within this anticipated assignment, the BDS Mentor will guide and support refugee youth entrepreneurs through structured mentorship, drawing on practical business experience to strengthen their decision-making, resilience and capacity to develop viable and sustainable enterprises. The role will provide ongoing advice and encouragement, support participants to address business challenges, and help strengthen market linkages and progress towards their entrepreneurial goals.

Duties & Responsibilities:
Structured mentorship

• Provide regular one-to-one and/or small-group mentorship to refugee youth entrepreneurs, including scheduled check-ins and progress reviews.
• Reinforce BDS training content, help participants troubleshoot business challenges, refine plans and remain accountable to agreed business goals.
• Share practical lessons from real business experience and help participants avoid common mistakes in their entrepreneurial journey

Business guidance and market linkages

• Advise mentees on relevant areas including strategic planning, financial management, marketing, operations and day-to-day business decision-making.
• Support linkages to local entrepreneurs, business groups, markets, finance and other BDS or complementary services where appropriate.
• Contribute to community business forums, peer-learning spaces and other networking opportunities intended to expand market access and social cohesion.

Motivation, inclusion and safe support

• Act as an excellent listener and provide a respectful space for mentees to discuss challenges, ideas and progress.
• Provide encouragement and emotional support that helps mentees remain motivated and resilient while respecting professional boundaries and referral procedures.
• Support inclusive mentorship approaches for women and persons with disabilities and demonstrate cultural competence in refugee and displacement-affected settings.

Documentation and coordination

• Document mentorship contacts, content and progress in the formats required by the project and support verification of sessions delivered.
• Coordinate with the Team Leader, BDS Delivery Specialists and DRC project staff to identify follow-up needs and relevant referrals.
• Participate in mentor training, supervision and reporting arrangements established for the assignment

Experience and Technical Competence 

• Extensive practical experience in the business world, including successful experience running a business.
• Strong knowledge of core business areas such as strategic planning, financial management, marketing and operations.
• Strong listening, coaching and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide practical guidance and constructive support.
• Ability to conduct regular progress reviews and help entrepreneurs adjust plans and stay on track with their goals.
• Knowledge of the realities of doing business in refugee/camp or displacement-affected settings is highly relevant to the assignment.
• The mentor cohort must include demonstrated competence in supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities and meaningful representation of female mentors; DRC therefore particularly welcomes applications from women and candidates with relevant disability-inclusion experience.

Education

• Minimum secondary school education or equivalent.
• Certificate, diploma or other vocational/professional training in business, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, management or a related field is an advantage.
• Practical business and mentoring experience is central to the role

Language

• Ability to mentor participants in relevant languages used in refugee settings.
• Proficiency in Somali is highly desirable, particularly for work with refugee communities in Dadaab