Livelihoods Assistant (Micro Enterprise Development

Background:
DRC has been operating in the Horn of Africa and Yemen for over a decade, running a combination of livelihood, protection, advocacy and relief programmes. In Kenya, DRC has programme offices in Nairobi, Dadaab, Kakuma, Mombasa, Lamu, Mandera, Alale and Lodwar. While much of the work done by the organization focuses on displaced populations and asylum seekers, DRC also implements programmes in support of the refugee hosting populations.

Job Summary:
The Livelihoods Assistant (Micro Enterprise Development) will support both vocational (tailoring, handloom, ICT, Income Generating Groups (IGAs) and Village Saving and Loan (VS&L).

Tasks & Responsibilities:

• Implementation of the livelihoods project in accordance with DRC and donor requirements
• Train and implement livestock value chains such as milk, meat, hide and skin and bones
• Prepare activity plans and budget for activity implementation.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
• Facilitate financial access including revolving fund loans and grants to target beneficiaries
• Ensure all the revolving fund loan & grants beneficiaries are properly mentored and have all the right documentation in place before they are engaged by the organization
• Carry out participatory needs assessments and identify appropriate livelihood interventions to increase incomes for the refugee population and the local community and reduce poverty in the target areas.
• Collect data on income generation, revolving funds, life skills training and strengthening of small scale businesses to establish trend across clients (groups) in order to develop best practices.
• Use questionnaires and surveys in consultation with Livelihoods Officer and beneficiaries to analyze training needs as they relate to the goals of the organization, beneficiaries and donors.
• Identify existing gaps in the community, suitable sustainable innovative projects for co-financing and assist with preparation of proposal and reports to donors
• Supervise the day to day work of the livelihoods Incentive workers in the respective operational sites and provide support where necessary.
• Implement DRCs livelihoods activities specifically: income generation, business development services, revolving funds & grants, life skills training and strengthening of small scale businesses.
• Assist in managing expenditure of livelihood activities to ensure accountability and transparency
• Assist in compiling of all monitoring information on a regular basis and documentation of lessons learnt from field visits and project activities.
• Report regularly to Livelihoods Officer on general progress in terms of livelihood aspects including learning, participation in project activities and other relevant matters.
• Assist in identifying resources and documenting key lessons learned in the Livelihood program.
• Organize and coordinate livelihood related stakeholders meetings/workshops/forums to enable the active, free and meaningful participation of project beneficiaries in the design and implementation of project activities within refugee and host communities
• Ensure and maintain mutual linkages with the County and Sub-county offices especially with any related line ministries to enhance their understanding of program needs in the assigned area of operation.
• Promote collaboration and synergy between refugee focused interventions and the host communities
• Prepare and conduct community sensitization forums/meetings with community leaders and beneficiaries in the refugee and host community set up
• Document lessons learned from training activities, community meeting and assist in preparing training reports
• Train revolving loan/grants clients on small business management skills.
• Support the respective livestock value chains

Skills and Qualifications:

• Degree level education in the Animal production (highly desirable), social sciences, business administration or any other development related fields.
• Minimum of 2 years working experience with INGOs in the field of sustainable livelihoods and income generating projects preferably with an NGO in a refugee/IDP setting
• Knowledge of the key issues and trends in livelihoods interventions
• Demostrate understanding of business and development issues including modern livelihood approaches with skills or training in basic small business management or administration is crucial to this position.
• Prior experience working with local governments and stakeholders in implementation of projects
• Working knowledge of MS Office and other relevant computer applications,
• Able to adapt to changing program priorities and emergency priorities that may arise
• Good planning and organizational skills coupled with problem solving capabilities
• Hands-on community mobilization skills
• Experience in working in harsh climatic conditions and ability to communicate in the Somali language will be an added advantage

Reporting: The Livelihoods Assistant reports to Livelihoods Officer.

Conditions:
Commencement: September, 2016.
Duty Station: This position is field based duty station. Dadaab lies at SL 5. Accommodation is not
Provided
Contract: 4 months contract renewable dependent on both funding and performance. The terms of employment are in accordance with DRC terms for National Staff.

General:
Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework

HOW TO APPLY:

Application Process
Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications which should include a 1-page cover letter clearly stating their motivation and qualifications and a CV. Applications should include contact details of three professional referees who have supervised the candidate in the last five years. One referee must be the applicant’s most recent manager. Only applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.dk under Vacancies. Applications should be sent no later than: 1st August, 2016.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contactjob@drc.dk