Team Leader, Financial Inclusion, Job in Kenya

Job Title: Team Leader – Financial Inclusion

Hiring Organization: Danish Refugee Council
Location – Locality: Nairobi
Location – Region: Kenya
Industry: NGO
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: KES
Date Posted: 06/13/2024

About DRC

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental and non-profit organization, founded in 1956, that works in more than 35 countries around the world. DRC is one of the largest protection actors in Kenya, actively coordinating and advocating for improving the protective environment for refugees and host communities. DRC implements Protection monitoring, Child Protection and GBV prevention and response programmes in its areas of operation to address protection issues faced by displaced and non-displaced at-risk groups and individuals. The programme also aims to identify and build synergies with DRC´s Economic Recovery sector to facilitate durable solutions and Humanitarian Disarmament & Peace Building activities to enhance to respond to the needs of communities affected by acute crisis as well as those in protracted displacement situations.

Overall purpose of the role:

The holder of this position will manage a team of Economic Recovery Officers and Assistants to effectively implement a Livelihoods and Self-Reliance project in Dadaab Refugee Camp and the surrounding host communities with a specific focus on financial inclusion activities. He/she will be responsible for the overall design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of DRC’s Economic Recovery Programme in the specific areas and the wider Garissa County. The Team Leader will provide oversight, technical support, and leadership within the DRC Economic Recovery unit around activities related to financial inclusion and should have expertise in financial inclusion approaches.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Technical Expertise in Financial Inclusion

Provide technical guidance on financial inclusion activities, including technical design of connecting entrepreneurs to formal financial institutions
Lead the development of revolving funds to support financial inclusion
Provide technical guidance on the training and establishment of VSLAs, their running and managing growth in their capacity
Liaise with formal financial institutions to support access for hard-to-reach customers, building trust and setting up dialogues with target communities
Support small businesses to access finance and repay safely, providing mentorship where necessary to support growth and repayment of loans
Develop a pipeline of businesses in target areas that can access formal finance and support the connection of these businesses to financial institutions.
Provide technical guidance around KYC requirements and ID requirements for access to formal finance.

Program Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation

In collaboration with Project Manager, provide technical leadership related to project design and development, planning, implementation, and overall project management.
Develop technically sound work plans consistent with program goals and objectives in coordination with Economic recovery staff & M&E team.
Develop high-quality concept notes, proposals, strategies, and monitoring and evaluation plans and ensure appropriate and timely implementation of these plans.
Closely monitor the implementation of Financial Inclusion activities to timely, identify any problems that may affect the achievement of intended outputs and results.
Submit timely weekly, monthly, quarterly & annual reports to the Program Manager.
Organize and manage workshops, trainings and meetings that are hosted by the sector with relevant stakeholders.
With support from field staff and M&E team, ensure robust monitoring & evaluation of all Economic recovery activities.
Ensure timely and quality procurement of sector items and services in liaison with the Logistics department
Ensure harmonious working of team with other consortium partners.
Lead in private sector partner engagement in Financial Inclusion.

Training & Capacity development:

Provide ongoing technical support and mentorship for Economic Recovery Officers and Assistants to develop professional and technical competency.
Support field teams to participate in and provide leadership within coordination working groups and other sectorial meetings.
Provide technical feedback on narrative reports and ensuring that established program targets and objectives are being met.

Coordination & Partnership

Ensure that DRC is effectively represented and fully participates in all the relevant Thematic and Inter-Agency Working Groups, particularly in the areas of Agriculture, Livestock, Natural Resource Management, Business/Entrepreneurship and Private Sector.
Promote a positive profile of DRC and the Economic Recovery Program and ensuring DRC’s role is well understood within the sector, and among other sectors, partners and the communities.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with consortium partners and all other stakeholders.
Higher level guidance to the Market Systems with private sector engagement when scaping for partnerships for the program. Guidance in mapping and engagement strategy.

Budget Management:

Manage the Economic Recovery budgets in order to maintain program expenditure within budget parameters, ensuring adherence to DRC financial procedures and donor requirements
Support the Economic Recovery team members to utilize financial planning tools, such as spending plans, procurement plans, and work plans based on activities and budgets.
Prepare spending plans, procurement plans, and work plans based on activities and budgets.

Staff Management:

Timely recruitment of competent Economic Recovery staff in case of vacancies and holding regular staff meetings for planning and feedback sharing;
Monitoring and providing objective feedback related to staff performance, including objective setting, probation and performance evaluations to promote growth and professional development.
Providing leadership and support to ensure staff well-being.

Experience and technical competencies:

At least five years of experience working in access to finance programs, sustainable and alternative livelihoods, resilience, economic recovery and self-reliance programming in displacement contexts;
Must have a substantial previous experience in implementing financial inclusion and MSD programs with good understanding on access to finance.
Excellent analytical and writing skills; cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective and working relations with local partners and other stakeholders
Experience and willingness to work in the field and proficient program management skills.

Education

At least a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University in Agri-business, Business Development, Natural Resource Management, Agricultural Economics, Economic Development, Community/International development). Master’s Degree in relevant field preferred

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