Economic Recovery Coordinator At Danish Refugee Council

Overall purpose of the role

DRC requires an experienced and innovative Economic and Recovery Coordinator to design programming to mitigate the effects of a devastating social transformation Somalia. Prior to the current drought, Somalia had some of the fastest rates of urbanization in the world. This has only accelerated and rural communities are facing a complete reordering of their way of life. IDPs express fear of returning home for lack of resources, and a belief that widespread drought is now the new norm, with their traditional ways of life becoming untenable. Thus, DRC faces the challenges of ensuring these IDP sites do not become slums, that economic recovery can begin, and that rural communities can build new livelihoods. For that, we have a host of tools and models such as VSLAs, financial inclusion activities, cash for work, household farms, and MPCA, that have shown impact in improving standards of living, access to financial services, and wealth generation. However, building a responsive and adaptable strategy that is well suited to the new environment poses a complex new challenge for a driven and innovative Economic Recovery Coordinator.

A specific focus for the Economic Recovery Coordinator will be related to the use of Market Systems Approaches (MSA) in support of developing DRC’s portfolio of modern, decent and sustainable (waged and self-employed) livelihoods programs, along with climate adaptation programming. In particular, they will promote the use of MSA to develop market-based programming models for employment and business support interventions, as well as more advanced program models such as market systems, value chains or business environment support and development interventions, including through the development of strategic partnerships with civil society actors and the private sector.

A secondary focus for the Economic Recovery Coordinator will be to support the development of integrated programming across DRC’s core sectors of intervention (including with Protection and with Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding (HDP)).

The Economic Recovery Coordinator reports to the Head of Program and works in close collaboration with the CO Coordinators within the Technical Team and Area Managers, including across DRC’s core sectors, such as Environment and Climate Adaptation, Protection and HDP, as well as DRC’s platforms Emergency, Root Causes and Durable Solutions

Responsibilities:

Strategy

• Contribute to the further strategic and programmatic development of DRC’s Economic Recovery portfolio in SOM, across DRC’s Response Framework and its three programmatic platforms (Responding to Emergency; Solutions to Displacement; Addressing Root Causes). This includes further defining DRC’s strategic niche in building the self-reliance of conflict- and displacement-affected populations in fragile contexts through advanced and integrated livelihoods and financial inclusion interventions.
• Review and refine the strategic uses, planning and design of Market Systems Approaches (including in support to basic needs, in close collaboration with the Emergency Coordinator) including via facilitating strategic workshops and based upon relevant assessments and stakeholder consultations.
• Design Economic Recovery strategy development and associated resource mobilisation. This includes providing technical review of relevant proposals and reports and support to sector-specific donor communications.
• Liaise with Global Economic Recovery Team on global initiatives (e.g. programme, policy, advocacy, research) and represent DRC externally at regional level in relevant technical, policy and advocacy forums and communities of practice.
• Collaborate with other sector leads (e.g. Protection, Humanitarian Disarmament, CCCM and Peacebuilding, Environment, etc.) at country level to explore options for integrated programming.

Capacity Strengthening

• Support recruitment of technical staff involved in delivering DRC’s Economic Recovery programming.
• Identify technical and/or programmatic gaps and provide training, mentoring and capacity building as required, and specifically for technical line reports.
• Complete regular field visits to deliver training, technical oversight, identify needs, provide support, trouble shoot, strengthen capacity, and ensure quality programming.
• Build capacity of DRC’s operations in the use of Market Systems Approaches. In particular, build capacity of Economic Recovery staff on the use of MSA to design advanced and modern marked-based program models for livelihoods, financial inclusion and food security interventions.

Specific areas of focus:

1. Market assessments: support uptake/better use of targeted market assessment and analysis, including labour market assessments, in support of market systems programming across DRC’s Response Framework.
2. Modality selection/due diligence: deepen DRC Economic Recovery staff’s ability to undertake robust modality selection (across cash, vouchers, or in-kind – alone, or in combination with other assistance modalities such as service provision or infrastructure); systematically further embed and build capacity for the use of DRC’s Modality Due Diligence (MDD) tool in the design of Economic Recovery programs.
3. Monitoring and evaluation: support outcome monitoring to measure programme quality, and evaluate impact, cost-effectiveness and relevance.
4. Participation and accountability: support DRC operations to increase the participation of and their accountability to populations of concern.
5. MSA preparedness: support organisational preparedness for market systems programming (including CVA and uptake of digital payments in country operations).

Technical & Operational Support

• Technical support: provide technical advice and support to Economic Recovery teams on assessment, design, set-up, implementation, monitoring, learning and reporting of higher quality, more timely and more accountable needs, preferences and market-based Economic Recovery programming on behalf of IDPs or refugees, and their host communities.
• Act as Project Focal Point for dedicated EC Rec projects and ensure the projects meet outcomes, indicators and budgetary targets in a timely manner through monthly project review coordination meetings with AMs.
• Quality assurance & compliance: follow up on the implementation of DRC’s minimum standards for Economic Recovery programming and lead the development, harmonization, rolling out of and training in core programme tools, guidance and standard operating procedures (SOPs) as required, with a particular focus on early recovery interventions. Assure compliance with DRC standards and procedures, and alignment with global and regional strategies, including through regular coordination with colleagues in support services at Regional and HQ levels.
• Risk management: support organisational risk management related to MSA and for core Economic Recovery activities.

Other

• Provide regular updates to Country Director and Program Team.
• Any other duties as agreed with HoP

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 5 years international field experience with international humanitarian and/or development organisations, and demonstrable experience working on Economic Recovery programming in contexts of forced displacement.
• Masters in Social Sciences, Economics, Development Studies or other relevant field
• Significant experience and demonstrated expertise in market systems programming in fragile contexts.
• Strong knowledge of modern Livelihoods Programming (including urban livelihoods, SME start-up and scale-up, and modern agriculture-based livelihoods)
• Strong knowledge of Market-based programming (including Cash and Voucher Assistance)
• Experience in climate resilience and adaptation programming.
• Relevant practitioner knowledge of and experience with relevant financial inclusion and food security support. Familiarity with self-reliance programming, including safety net programmes and the Graduation Approach, will be a plus.
• Experience in East Africa and Great Lakes, and strong knowledge of livelihoods zones across Somalia is expected.
• Familiarity with DRC’s other core sector of intervention, in particular Protection and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) will be a plus.
• Experience delivering targeted and high-quality technical training and capacity building, including in settings with remote technical management.
• Substantial experience in both a technical advisory role and with hands-on programme management and implementation across the project/programme cycle.
• Confident and effective representation and communication skills
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Proposal development skills
• Excellent organisational skills, ability to determine priorities and attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal and coordination skills, including working with different groups, partners and nationalities, and experience in coordination mechanisms

Conditions

Contract: 12 months with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered by DRC’s Terms of Employment, Employment band non-management G1

Availability: 15th December 2024

Direct Manager: Head of Programme

Duty station: This position is based in Mogadishu with up 50% travel to other locations across Somalia

Providing equal opportunities, we are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards: DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP, and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct about DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. DRC conducts thorough background checks as part of the recruitment process