Economic Recovery & Development Coordinator Job in Nairobi, Kenya

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Economic Recovery & Development (ERD) Coordinator- Nairobi
 
Sector: Livelihoods 

Location: Kenya 

Employee Type: Regular 

Employee Category: Full Time 
 
Background: The International Rescue Committee (IRC), one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries. 

The IRC is committed to bold leadership, innovation and creative partnerships. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, women's empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.

Since 1992, the IRC has provided life-saving services to refugees and vulnerable local communities in Kenya. 

Currently, the IRC works in two refugee camps, Dadaab and Kakuma, in northern Kenya, and serves vulnerable local populations in the Turkana region and Nairobi. 

In Kenya, the IRC implements programs in the areas of integrated primary health care (including nutrition and HIV/AIDS); economic recovery and livelihoods; protection of rights; and women’s protection and empowerment.  

In its focus on economic recovery and development, the IRC in Kenya is addressing two outcomes: people generate income and assets and women and girls are equal to men and boys in the extent to which their basic needs are met, they are food secure, and they use, generate and control income and assets.

 IRC is focused on encouraging the ability to become self-sufficient, particularly where livelihoods are concerned for survivors of SGBV, youth, refugees preparing for repatriation, and other key marginalized or minority groups. 

IRC supports skills development and training in a variety of areas that gives both refugee and host community beneficiaries the economic and livelihoods skills that will potentially help them avoid negative coping strategies during time of crisis or environmental/economic hardship. 

Because economic empowerment of women and girls is a key component of ensuring gender equality IRC will focus on economic empowerment programs that foster gender equity and equality especially given that women and girls are even more vulnerable in situations of crisis and where marginalization happens.
 
Scope of Work: The Economic Recovery & Development (ERD) Coordinator will coordinate and oversee the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of livelihoods programs focused on beneficiary income and asset generation for IRC Kenya, to include the BILLY urban livelihoods project funded by IKEA Foundation, programming in the refugee camps,  and other current and future economic recovery programs. 

The ERD Coordinator will liaise with other technical coordinators within IRC (particularly on integrated protection components and women’s empowerment); fellow agency, government, private sector, and community partners, as well as the Livelihoods Working Group within the interagency coordination structure; and with IRC’s headquarter-based Economic Recovery and Development Technical Advisor and Officers to ensure coordination and complementarily of programming, as well as appropriate technical rigor in project design and implementation. 

The ERD Coordinator is responsible for overall management of the livelihoods portfolio, providing any and all support necessary to ensure successful implementation of ERD livelihoods assistance programming and proposal development/project design for prospective projects, which includes/may include enterprise development and employment initiatives, cash/voucher programming, financial inclusion, microfranchising, agro-pastoralism, vocational training/certification programs, and other activities.

Specific Responsibilities

Technical Quality and Program Development
  • Provide direction and monitor staff in their implementation of project work plans and quality of technical activities, including program budget oversight
  • Ensure appropriate methodologies and technical approaches are developed for all program activities – working with IRC’s ERD Technical Advisors to ensure global best practices are applied to programming
  • Ensure alignment of livelihoods programming with IRC global strategy plan and relevant theories of change
  • Identify opportunities for growth of livelihoods programming portfolio including existing gaps/beneficiary needs and areas for innovation and expansion, including through market assessments
  • Contribute to development of country office’s sector-relevant strategic direction and plans including ongoing development of livelihoods programming staffing and management structures
  • Along with program staff and the Technical Unit/Advisors, support the development of Standard Operating Procedures and Guidance Notes for program activities
  • Ensure regular monitoring and modification of ongoing programming as required.
Grant Planning & Monitoring
  • Support proposal development process for livelihoods-related programming as needed
  • Prepare relevant and quality IRC and donor reports as per agreed-upon schedules (monthly, quarterly and/or annually) on grant activities, indicators and achievements
  • Work closely and coordinate with IRC logistics, finance and grant staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures; including active participation in procurement, supply chain, grant and other meetings. Has budget authority to pre-approved limits and responsibility for budget development and compliance under the direction of the DDP
  • Together with the Deputy Director for Grants and Accountability and the M&E Coordinator, develop and implement a full monitoring and evaluation framework for all livelihoods activities as well as learning strategies, and adapt them to the different program methodologies
Human Resources Management
  • Provide technical direction and managerial oversight of livelihoods staff to include ERD Manager and project staff, and provide advising and guidance to staff across other sectors (e.g., women’s empowerment, protection and governance , etc.) on integrated programming inclusive of ERD activities
  • Set specific goals and expectations and provide regular, positive and constructive feedback to direct reports
  • Build capacity of the team under his/her supervision in basic assistance and livelihoods support methodologies, as well as management capacity, both individually and through conducting/coordinating staff training exercises
  • Help to recruit and screen livelihoods project staff as team grows
  • Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions
  • Ensure timely completion and submission of interim and annual employee performance reviews
  • If/as required, identify staff performance issues and works with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies
  • Responsible for adhering to IRC’s Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures
Coordination & Representation
  • Develop and maintain effective coordination and long-term relationships with external stakeholders including fellow agencies/NGOS, government departments and ministries, community-based organizations and partners, donors, and others in accurately and professionally representing IRC positions, promoting long-term strategies and resolving problems/conflicts
  • Actively advance IRC’s connections to economic actors/private sector at a local, regional and national level, seeking avenues for partnership, collaboration and coordination of activities to ensure sustainability of interventions
  • Oversee the IRC’s relationship with consortia implementing partners and support the identification of new partners as it relates to new programming
  • Regularly engage with the ERD Technical Advisor and other Technical Unit Advisors and Specialists to benchmark programming to IRC standards and ensure application of best practices
  • Participate in IRC and external working groups and communities of practice around livelihoods to advance livelihoods strategies, disseminate research and program successes, discuss implementation challenges, and share best practices
  • Support the sharing of information and learning across livelihoods-related programs based in Kenya and throughout the Horn and East Africa region
Other
  • Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs
Qualifications:
  • BA/BS Degree in international development, economics, business administration, law, and/or related certification required; MA/MS/MBA a plus
  • Minimum of 5 years professional experience in humanitarian response, with specific experience in livelihoods and enterprise development approaches
  • Demonstrated private sector experience, or experience supporting business and skill development
  • Prior experience working in emergency settings or insecure environments preferred
  • Strong program/technical and budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation skills
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties
  • INGO experience required; experience with coordination systems or advocacy preferable
  • Must be capable of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training and the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others
  • Personal qualities: works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well, has a strong sense of humor
  • Fluency in English and Kiswahili required.
Kenyan nationals are encouraged to apply.

International allowances are not available for this position. 

Salary and employee benefits are compliant to the Kenyan NGO Sector.  

How to Apply

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 to apply online 

IRC leading the way from harm to home.
 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you need assistance in the application or hiring process to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time. Please contact Talent Acquisitions at IRC.Recruitment@rescue.org. As required by law, the IRC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with a known disability.

Disclaimer: Please take note that International Rescue Committee (IRC) does not ask for any fees in connection with its recruitment processes. In the event that you receive any request  for payment of any sort, please get in touch with us on Tel: +(254-020) 2727730, Email: IRCKenya@rescue.org or report to the nearest police.