Title: Project Manager Economic Recovery

Location:  Aba’ala (Afar Ethiopia).

Employment Category:  F2

Salary Range: USD 1,445.00 – 1,757.00 per month which specific amount will be determined up on candidates experience and educational relevancy

Reporting To:  Area Manager

Contract Duration:  December 31, 2024

Posting date: December 18, 2023

Required Employee: 1       

INTRODUCTION 

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. The organization has offices across the region and has been operational in Ethiopia since 2009.  With funding from bilateral and multilateral donors, DRC is currently implementing a range of activities across Ethiopia, including WASH and shelter provision, child and youth protection, gender-based violence response, awareness-raising of migration risks, protection monitoring of migration routes, and livelihoods support for returning migrants or those at-risk of migration.

Project Background

The Economic Recovery for Conflict-Affected Population Project (ER-CAP) is a four-and-half year project aiming to improve the economic adaptation, protection, and recovery of populations affected by conflict in Ethiopia. The programme, jointly implemented by Mercy Corps, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and First Consult, uses an integrated conflict-sensitive, systems-strengthening, climate-smart and inclusive approach to enhancing systems that support the economic recovery of communities in three regions: Afar (Aba’ala), Tigray (Mekele) and Woldiya (Amhara).

ER-CAP will support conflict-affected communities and improve their livelihoods by strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) including women and youth-led MSMEs, improving crop and livestock value chains, and providing access to income-generating opportunities. The project covers assessing of relevant market systems, facilitating short-term skills training, and improving employment opportunities through input-output market linkages, targeted protection interventions and advocacy.

The programme will also facilitate access to affordable financial products and technology for conflict-affected communities and MSMEs Through strategic partnerships with financial services providers and layering on existing government initiatives, the aim is to facilitate Know-Your-Costumer requirements, integrated financial literacy training, and expand mobile and agent banking.

 OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The post-holder will provide leadership and day-to-day management, technical support and oversight for the DRC-led Economic Recovery interventions in Afar and Tigray Regions. The project manager will be responsible to develop different ToR’s for assessments of market system and potential, financial service providers, potential private sectors having opportunities for skilled youth employment. In coordination with the broader consortium team, the Economic Recovery Manager leads the development of project detailed implementation plan (DIP) and oversees its implementation. The post holder is expected to support implementation of project activities in Agricultural sector, Medium small and micro enterprises and alternative financial service options such as Challenge fund, Revolving fund and loan guarantee approaches. The role holder will also support the establishment and functionality of innovative VSLAs supported through revolving fund approaches, follow up of the impact of the Digital financial literacy activities are also among the major purpose of the role.

The Economic Recovery Manager will follow up on the day-to-day implementation of the activities, monitoring of progress and quality, and tracking of intervention outcomes. Systematic management of the budget versus actual together with achievement of the physical activities, conducting of periodic project monitoring’s, providing feedback and direction in every step of the project and producing of project progress reports are among the other responsibility of the post holder.

The role holder will work closely with the broader DRC, MercyCorps and First Consult team to ensure sectoral and consortium integration, effective coordination and synergies among the consortium and other stakeholders, facilitation of dialogue forum and advocacy session with respective consortium members and government authorities.

Main Responsibilities:

Project Management, Development, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensure the project is implemented in ways responsive to the beneficiary communities, donor compliance procedures and vision/mission of each of the partner organizations. This includes working closely with consortium members, national/local government, relevant stakeholders and community structures to successfully implement and strengthen local capacity.

• Ensure that the project has appropriate monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning systems established (including impact evaluation), and that the project reporting is delivered

• Ensure project activities are delivered according to the agreed project proposal and implementation plan, and that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timeframe and budget, reports are submitted as per the agreed schedule and formats are fulfilled as specified in signed agreements.

• Ensure work plans are regularly updated in collaboration with the project team, ensure project plans and project tracking tools are used by the project team, and monitor project activity implementation.

• Ensure community participatory planning and targeting in line with project design and needs, and following donor compliance procedures.

• Provide on-site support through frequent visits to all project sites.

• Engage with the various technical staff from DRC and partners to facilitate support to the team.

• Serves as the primary contact with respect to project implementation for the donor and strategic stakeholders.

Training & Capacity development

• Identify training needs of team and explore options for meeting them.

• Build internal team capacity especially in the field of sustainable financial inclusion for target population to be supported.

• Provide continuous technical support and mentorship for all project staff in order to develop their professional and technical competencies.

• Participate in all relevant trainings offered by all project partners and/or externally to become technically equipped for project implementation and monitoring. 

• Ensure that minimum standards for project management and accountability are met.

Coordination & Partnership

• Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the project and ensure effective integration among the consortium members, with special attention for the specific needs and expectations of the project objectives/aims.

• Ensure proper communication mechanisms are in place to guarantee effective and timely communication between project staff and the consortium members and management.  

• Participate in regular external stakeholder meetings, and maintain external relations with the relevant government agencies, and stakeholders across the project areas.

• Ensure there is a system for networking and communication with relevant local government line departments, relevant UN and NGO partners, and community representation in the project areas.

• Promote collaboration and synergy between the consortium member project activities and similar projects, businesses and activities in the project areas.

• Promote a positive profile of the project and good understanding among other actors and communities about the project.

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders.

• Represent the project at interagency coordination meetings as well as other key stakeholder forums related to the sector.

Budget Management

• The post holder will oversee DRC’s ERCAP project budget for Economic Recovery activities, and is responsible for budget monitoring, cash forecasting and BFU reviews while working closely with key DRC AO and CO staff. He/she will oversee the project budget in order to maintain project expenditure within budget parameters, ensuring adherence to DRC financial procedures and SIDA requirements.

• Track budget spending and ensure timely reviews of financial transactions and budget utilization every month.

• Support team members to utilize financial planning tools, such as spending plans, procurement plans, and work-plans based on activities and budgets.

• Work closely with the respective Area Programme and the Country Office team in budget drafting and revision processes as per identified/prioritized needs of the project.

Staff Management

• Directly lead, manage and motivate the Project Officers, Project Assistant and Community Engagement Facilitators. Ensure that they have clear objectives and receive regular supervision and reviews. Develop a plan, and oversee management, of all project staff.

• Ensure appropriate participation of staff in project management, day to day implementation and decision making, and escalating issues as per the consortium governance structure.

• Ensure project staff members attend and participate in weekly and monthly office management meetings as per schedule.

• Ensure timely recruitment and replacement if the need arises of highly competent project staffs.

• Monitor and provide objective feedback related to staff performance, including objective-setting, probation & performance evaluations to promote growth and development.

Financial Inclusion Expertise

• Provide technical assistance to implementing teams in areas of financial inclusion, working alongside project partners, Regional Office technical coordinators and DRC Kenya colleagues

• Support the strengthening of VSLAs through experience in formal financial inclusion, including training on financial literacy

• Provide assistance in the roll out of sharia compliant finance structures at the community level as well as understanding of the wider entrepreneurship ecosystem

• Support in the development of a revolving fund, a challenge fund and wider entrepreneurship support structures

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master

DRC’s 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.

Job Requirements

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

Professional technical experience evidencing and demonstrating ability to deliver against the above-mentioned responsibilities:

·       5+ years of experience working in multi-donor-funded and/or multi-stakeholder projects or programmes managing financial inclusion and community empowerment projects.

·       Experience in leading and managing projects aimed at creating employment, social security and market development, aligning to the thematic focus of financial inclusion and developing the small business climate under private sector development agenda.

·       Experience working in and deep understanding of Village Savings Loans Associations (VSLAs) and private sector engagement and/or implementing livelihoods/self-reliance, gender mainstreaming, peacebuilding/social cohesion, protection or advocacy interventions within financial inclusion programming context.

·       Experienced and excellent demonstratable understanding of project cycle management.

·       Able to navigate between consortium members, their workstyles, and their agenda’s.

·       Experienced working with and implementing projects aimed at addressing challenges faced by displacement affected entrepreneurs to maintain and grow their businesses.

·       Experience in capacity-building staff, and in convening and facilitating trainings and workshops

·       Excellent analytical and report-writing skills

·       Has excellent communication (spoken and written) and presentation skills

·       Excellent planning and organizational skills coupled with conflict management skills

·       Experience with remote management of staff

·       Possess a sense of cultural awareness, sensitivity and respect for diversity

·       Strong organizational, team spirit and team work skills

·       Knowledge of the key issues and current trends in refugee affairs and MSE/financial inclusion.

·       Experience in managing projects with digital elements including working with technology companies

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

·       Master’s or BA in Development Economics; Development management, Agriculture, International Development, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, or other relevant fields, or Bachelors with relevant work experience.

LANGUAGE: (indicate fluency level)

• Full professional proficiency in English.

How to Apply

• Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post.

• We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on THIS LINK  under Vacancies. 

• Please forward the application and CV, in English through the stated website no later than December 28, 2023.

• For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.ngo

• Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.

• Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics

• We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nationals to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.