Economic Recovery Manager at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

The Economic Recovery Manager is responsible for the implementation and delivery of DRC’s Economic Recovery programming (food security, business development and livelihoods, and financial inclusion). This programming, funded through BHA and ECHO, seeks to additionally grow into agricultural programming and climate-friendly pursuits. The programme targets IDPs, refugees, returnees, and vulnerable local populations. Activities include cash-for-work programming, provision of vocational training and apprenticeships, business training and business grants, facilitation of savings and loans groups, and cash assistance to support vulnerable populations to cover their basic food needs.

To this end, the Economic Recovery Manager will ensure compliance with Economic Recovery SOPs and the maintenance of records. Additionally, the role of the Economic Recovery Manager is to ensure the successful implementation of an efficient, accountable, and measurable Economic Recovery programme, to represent DRC to the appropriate government ministries, private sector actors, and other external stakeholders, and to support the growth and development of the Economy Recovery Department.

Responsibilities

Programming

• Provide leadership, management, and technical direction of the Economic Recovery teams, in coordination with and as agreed with Area Manager and Economic Recovery Coordinator.
• Supervise and ensure implementation of Economic Recovery activities in the field, ensuring quality and timeliness of response
• Plan and implement Economic Recovery activities, including but not limited to: market assessments and periodic checks, provision of food assistance, vocational skills training, establishment and facilitation of savings and loans groups, job referrals and/or business training and grants.
• Uphold the professional standards related to Economic Recovery programming in humanitarian assistance.
• Serve as the area-level custodian of DRC's Economic Recovery procedures and standards, including the right to decent work.
• Provide inputs for the development of DRC Nigeria and Adamawa Area strategy, theories of change, and operational research initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of concept notes and proposals, as needed.
• Assist in the identification of strong local partners and potential Programme synergies to develop for future opportunities.
• Ensure regular market price monitoring in the areas of DRC intervention, and subsequently provide analysis on the market trends, price inflation, market functionality and commodities availability, amongst others.
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise project assessments and studies including feasibility studies, needs assessments, market assessments, and others.
• Manage the CVA projects and ensure the distribution of multipurpose cash assistance are conducted in a safe and accountable manner.
• Uphold the highest standard of confidentiality when managing records to ensure beneficiary protection and privacy.
• Work with the Area Manager and technical coordinators to lead the design of evidence-based pilot activities, that are responsive and relevant to the target population.
• Ensure quality monitoring and evaluation of activities, working with relevant MEAL staff to coordinate and roll out MEAL systems, ensuring adequate monitoring, documentation and reporting of activities against relevant indicators.
• Ensure that the Financial Service Provider platform is up to date and operational including maintenance of beneficiaries’ data, distribution requests in timely manner etc.

Reporting

• Contribute to the production of high quality, timely reports on program activities.
• Provide weekly/monthly reports to the Area Manager, including accurate figures of distributions/referrals done and challenges encountered, in the agreed format.
• Support external reports and documents to be used for DRC Success Stories and other materials for Economy Recovery programming.

Representation and coordination

• Take the lead in building partnerships with private sector actors to link to broader markets and facilitate employment opportunities for the targeted populations.
• Facilitate ongoing communications with relevant partners throughout the project cycle.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with potential local partner stakeholders and communities, to further increase trust in DRC’s professional standard and quality of work among all stakeholders.
• Represent DRC at field-level coordination forums (i.e. Food Security Sector, Cash Working Group and/or Livelihoods Working Group) as agreed with the Area Manager.
• Regularly update mapping of stakeholders implementing Economic Recovery project in area of responsibility.
• Ensure coordination with other departments (i.e. Protection, MEAL, Supply Chain, Finance, etc).

Operations

• Contribute to the effective implementation of support activities, including related to administration, finances and logistics, to ensure smooth project implementation. In all matters, comply with internal directive and policies as communicated by the Area Manager, Head of Programme and/or the relevant support departments.

Budget Management

• Effectively manage the Economic Recovery budget and flag under- or over- spent to the Area Manager in a timely manner.
• Provide inputs to budgets to ensure efficient utilization of Economic Recovery program resources through monitoring and tracking of expenditures against budgets.
• Check expenditure and flag forecasting within DRC project management tools on monthly basis.

Staff management, training & Capacity development

• Manage Economic Recovery staff and support respectful and positive working relationships. This is to be achieved through leadership, team building, day-to-day support, and capacity-building.
• Ensure objectives for staff are set and that evaluations and performance reviews are conducted on a regular basis for all staff under the manager’s jurisdiction.
• Take responsibility for leave planning and management for all staff managed.
• Identify training and capacity building opportunities for staff and ensure they are well versed in key Economic Recovery and protection concepts relevant to the context, DRC's code of conduct, accountability, respectful dialogue with the populations, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Other

• Conduct other tasks as requested by the Area Manager for the effective implementation of DRC’s projects, including support to capacity-building activities and other duties.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC's vision and values

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least two years of people, budget, and programme management in Economic Recovery, financial inclusion, or cash and voucher programs.
• Experience working for an international organization is preferred.
• Experience in working with employability promotion programmes, labor market studies and business development is an asset.
• Experience in project management including project monitoring, reporting, data management and budgeting.
• Experience in the field of social work, humanitarian intervention, community development, business, support/microfinance or any other relevant field is desirable.
• Programming experience in displacement contexts, including in protracted situations.
• High-level of computer literacy, including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and online Microsoft Suite such as Sharepoint.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain good communication channels with relevant stakeholders.