Economic Recovery Coordinator

Contract

This is a DRC - Expatriate contract. More about DRC - Expatriate contracts.

WHO ARE WE?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home. The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

ABOUT THE JOB

The overall purpose of the Economic Recovery Coordinator is to ensure a streamlined, fit-for-context Economic Recovery programme for DRC Afghanistan, including elements of food security (agriculture), decent livelihoods and financial inclusion programme. Working closely with colleagues from the area offices and country office, the Coordinator will be responsible for maintaining an updated and integrated Economic Recovery Strategy, including a core set of activities for the country and the technical tools and standards to support implementation. The Coordinator will also provide technical guidance and support on a day to day basis to Economic Recovery activities across DRC Afghanistan, including supporting works implemented under other sectoral umbrellas, especially Emergency, Protection, Shelter & Infrastructure and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding, ensuring multi-sectorial integration, technical quality, harmonization and consistency. Working closely with the Economic Recovery Specialists in Kabul and the Economic Recovery Managers in the area offices, the Coordinator will also have a strong focus on capacity-building of DRC staff through trainings and on-the-job coaching. The role reports to the Head of Programme (HoP) and it is based in Kabul with frequent travel to the field.

Responsibilities:

1. Technical Oversight

• Develop program strategy and priorities based on consultations with area office teams, thorough understanding of needs and context, alignment with the Afghanistan Strategy 2025, and ensuring that the sector strategy is well integrated with other DRC sectors
• Lead on sector-specific research and assessments to inform DRC strategy, advocacy, programme development and implementation, and ensure timely sharing and circulation of relevant information to other DRC departments and external stakeholders
• Lead on the update, development, harmonization, and roll out of SOPs, tools and guidelines
• Provide regular technical support and guidance to relevant implementing staff in both a structured manner and on a case-by-case basis.
• Assure compliance with Cluster/WG and DRC standards and procedures and alignment with global strategy
• Coordinate with sector colleagues at RO and HQ levels as appropriate about relevant issues
• Complete regular field visits (minimum 30% of field travel) to ensure technical oversight and support, identify needs, and ensure quality programming
• Remain abreast of research, trends and innovation within the sector and transfer this into programme design and implementation, when relevant to the context

2. Technical Line Management and Capacity-Building

• Development of harmonized job descriptions and structures in all area offices
• Participate in the recruitment of technical staff in the same field
• Identify technical gaps and support capacity building for the Economic Recovery Specialists and Economic Recovery Officer (Information Management in country office)
• Working closely with the Economic Recovery Specialist, assess capacity gaps amongst DRC Economic Recovery teams in the area and field offices and develop and deliver training (dedicated and on-the-job) through regular field visits as well as through the organization of regular capacity building opportunities in Kabul
• Contribute to setting performance objectives and performance appraisals of technical staff in the same field

3. Programme Development, Coordination, and Oversight

• Lead design, finalisation and oversight and coordination of Economic Recovery components of proposals and projects
• Map donor priorities within given sector and identify new opportunities for strategic fundraising
• Provide inputs on Economic Recovery proposals to ensure high technical standards and alignment with technical standards, research, trends and innovation
• Lead on the drafting of donor reports and other relevant sector-specific donor communications by collecting inputs from field teams
• Participate in program review meetings as relevant (Grant Opening, Grant Review, & Close Out Meetings)
• Maintain oversight of overall program implementation, including budgets and indicators, in close coordination with Sector Managers, Area Programme Managers and Area Managers, monitoring for progress against targets and timely sector-level spending, and recommend corrective actions

4. Quality Assurance

• Oversight of overall program implementation progress; identification, resolution and/or escalation of issues;
• Work with Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team to develop harmonized tools and databases to monitor and track efficiency and quality of programming and improve information management within the sector focal points
• Work closely with MEAL in design, implementation, and evaluation of sector-level programming
• Liaise with the MEAL team to ensure that learnings from monitoring and evaluation exercises are integrated in the sector’s strategy, SOPs and activities’ implementation
• Coordinate with MEAL to ensure accountability mechanisms are established for programming across all area offices

5. Coordination and Donor Engagement

• Ensure active participation in relevant clusters and working group, including participation at national level, support area-level Economic Recovery Managers with representation at sub-national level, and identify opportunities to take a leadership role in technical working groups and strategic advisory groups
• Ensure that DRC inputs are taken into account for the development of cluster strategies and DRC positioning in sectorial coordination mechanisms
• Promote coordination with other DRC sectors’ and departments to foster opportunities for integration and cross-learning
• In close coordination with the HoP, act as the main sector-level point of contact with donors; support donor visits to the field
• Provide technical input and support strategic direction of the sector-level response within the humanitarian community
• Report issues and challenges to the donor in a timely manner, in coordination with the HoP.

6. Other

• Raise any issues of non-compliance and assure compliance with DRC standards and procedures
• Coordinate with Comms/Advocacy for success story content, communication tools, etc.
• Any other duties as agreed with HoP

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies:

• Proven experience of at least 5 years in international field economic recovery, livelihoods and cash programs; experience in agriculture programming – including regenerative practices in local agricultural production, natural resource management, and Climate Smart Agriculture – is a strong asset
• Proven communication, interpersonal, representation, negotiation, promotion and diplomacy skills;
• Proven strong analytical, writing and communication skills;
• Strategic thinker with the ability to quickly develop good insight and understanding of the conflict and the economic environment of the program country;
• Sound understanding of humanitarian architecture;
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability;
• Experience in international humanitarian work, advocacy and policy development, and cluster coordination mechanisms;
• Experience with managing teams and providing technical guidance and training
• Able to manage high work load and deadlines in an efficient and timely manner
• Able to manage stress and be flexible

Education/qualifications:

• Master degree in Social Sciences, Rural Development, Agriculture, Sociology, international development or other relevant higher education relevant

Languages:

• Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential.
• Dari/Pashto is an asset

We Offer:

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the DRC salary scale.

Application process:

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking the Apply button below. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages), Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV-only applications will not be considered.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.