Strengthening Economic Opportunities for Refugees (SEOR) Manager at World University Service of Canada

Job Role

Under the supervision of the Nairobi-based DREEM Senior Project Manager, the Program Manager will work closely in collaboration with the WUSC teams in Kenya and Canada, the DREEM Youth Advisory Committee, and the Mastercard Foundation team to manage the Strengthening Economic Opportunities for Refugees pillar.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the implementation of the Strengthening Economic Opportunities for Refugees pillar of the DREEM project including facilitation of financial inclusion, MSME business development and integration of international strategies into the local refugee context that will ultimately improve their economic strength;
• Financial management of the Innovation Fund, including management of the grant disbursements and contract payments to partners;
• Overseeing and managing the partner organization contracted to implement the Business Development Support;
• Lead the selection and capacity building of a Refugee Led Organization to undertake BDS support of local businesses;
• Coordinate with the crosscutting team to ensure effective integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL) in project design and implementation;
• Manage relationship with partners and ensure positive relations with donors as well as with other local development organizations, local governments, and the business community;
• Submit reports and work plans, in coordination with partners, Senior Program Manager and the crosscutting support team;
• Represent the SEOR pillar of the DREEM project and actively participate in coordination of program reviews, technical discussions, regular and planned field visits;
• Ensure strict budgetary adherence and monitoring and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Finance, Trade, Business, Agribusiness, Markets Development or other equivalent academic background is preferred.

Experience & Competencies

The ideal applicant will combine experience and technical expertise in the higher education and/or forced migration sectors with a familiarity of the East African refugee context, a strategic and analytical mindset, excellent listening and interpersonal skills, and an ability to get things done.

Specific competencies:

• Previous experience in the development arena working with marginalized and vulnerable communities;
• A minimum of five (5) years working experience in the above areas;
• Experience in programmes/projects design, implementation results based performance monitoring;
• A strong understanding of market systems development, inclusive economies, and systems change-oriented interventions and projects;
• Demonstrated commitment to gender and social inclusion and knowledge of the specific constraints and realities of challenges faced by refugee and displaced groups;
• Diplomatic skills and experience with representation with a wide range of key stakeholders;
• Experience working on a Mastercard Foundation project will be an added advantage;
• Complete fluency in English is essential, ability to write articulately and cogently, and to edit at a similarly high level;
• Experience in project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and quality control;
• Previous experience working with innovative financing instruments, such a challenge funds, guarantees or similar is preferred but not required;
• Ability to adjust to changing priorities and undertake multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Self-motivated with ability to take initiatives and work unsupervised;
• Commitment to WUSC’s mission of building a better world for all young people, particularly displaced and refugee youth.

Other requirements

• The role will require regular national and occasional international travel to refugee communities, conferences, workshops and meetings;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.