Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Organization: Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
Deadline: 27 August 2025
Job Description
Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Economic Recovery Coordinator for our operations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with Frequent Travel to Field.
Overall purpose of the role
DRC Ethiopia is looking for an experienced Economic Recovery Coordinator who will provide high-quality strategic guidance, capacity strengthening and technical leadership to DRC Ethiopia’s Economic Recovery portfolio across DRC’s operational areas in the country, and provide expertise in strengthening DRC’s programmatic leadership in supporting the self-reliance and resilience for conflict-, climate change- and displacement-affected populations in Ethiopia, including through financial inclusion, climate-smart economic recovery and innovative livelihoods solutions. The role demands demonstrated expertise in developing and executing innovative financing mechanisms, along with a proven ability to engage and collaborate with public sector stakeholders to achieve sustainable impact.
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, and in collaboration with DRC country and field office operational teams, the Economic Recovery Coordinator will provide strategic leadership and technical guidance to DRC Ethiopia’s economic recovery programming to strengthen the resilience of conflict and emergency-affected communities. Whilst the primary focus will seek to support economic recovery objectives around income-generation, financial inclusion and business development, a secondary focus for the role will be to support the development of integrated programming across DRC’s core sectors, acknowledging that working within systems will require a cross-sectoral approach in many instances.
The role holder leads the development of economic recovery strategy and related programmatic guidelines and tools, provides strategic leadership in the development and implementation of DRC’s EcRec interventions, monitoring quality and coordinating with other sector leads ensure integration, and represent DRC in relevant external working groups and forums.
Your main duties and responsibilities will be:
Strategy
- Lead the development and implementation of DRC’s Economic Recovery Sector Strategy, spanning across DRC’s Response Framework and its programmatic platforms (Responding to Emergencies and Solutions to Displacement). This includes further defining DRC’s strategic niche in building the self-reliance of conflict- and displacement-affected populations in fragile contexts through advanced and integrated livelihoods, climate-smart opportunities and financial inclusion interventions
- Continuously monitor the context in Ethiopia and identify new opportunities for enhancing economic recovery opportunities for conflict and disaster affected populations, including through exploring ways for innovative programming opportunities and partnerships
- Design and implement strategies to expand access to affordable and appropriate financial services for underserved populations, including women, youth, and displaced communities.
- Develop and implement strategies to engage private sector actors in advancing program objectives and fostering inclusive economic growth.
- Identify, cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with businesses, industry associations and investors to leverage resources, expertise, and market access.
- Support the use of market assessment and analysis and the uptake of market systems approaches to achieve Economic Recovery outcomes
- Provide technical advice and quality assurance to the DRC Ethiopia team on application of Market Systems Approaches methodology and principles across the programme lifecycle including proposal design, sector selection, market systems analysis, intervention design and planning (sequencing, layering, integrating), partner identification and engagement strategy, facilitation, MEAL using theories of change and results chains, and adaptive management techniques.
- Collaborate with other sector leads (e.g. Protection, WASH, Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding) and DRC’s partners to explore opportunities for integrated programming.
Programme delivery and technical support
- Building on experience from implementation in the field and aligning to global good practice, lead the development, adaptation, and standardization of operating procedures and tools for Economic Recovery programs
- Lead Ec-Rec technical assessments, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of DRC Ethiopia’s Economic Recovery programming across DRC operational areas by ensuring the required standard and quality in line with DRC’s Economic Recovery guidelines
- Develop and manage partnerships with financial service providers, government agencies, and private sector actors to promote inclusive financial ecosystems.
- Lead the design and roll-out of innovative financial products, such as digital finance solutions, savings groups linkages, microinsurance, and blended financing model
- Support recruitment of technical staff involved in delivering DRC’s Economic Recovery programming at Area Office level
- Identify technical and/or programmatic gaps and provide training, mentoring and capacity building as required, and specifically for technical line reports.
- Complete regular field visits to deliver training, technical oversight, identify needs, provide support, trouble shoot, strengthen capacity, and ensure quality programming.
- Build capacity of DRC’s operations in the use of Market Systems Approaches, including the design of advanced and modern marked-based program models for livelihoods, financial inclusion and food security interventions.
- Lead Food Security & Livelihood response & Recovery programmes undertaking robust modality selection in collaboration with the country and Area program & support teams.
- Support the DRC field office Economic Recovery team during project work plans and ensure timely and proper implementation progress and monitor achievements (quantitatively and qualitatively) through remote assistance and field visits.
- Support the economic recovery team in developing DIP, PMT, Procurement plans and budgets for Economic Recovery – Cash & Market components implementation with timeframes and activities;
- Develop beneficiary identification guidelines and manuals for a variety of livelihood opportunities by establishing and maintaining partnerships with various organizations, the private sector, and institutions and linkage to protection.
- Ensure that the DRC livelihood and economic recovery program meets overall program quality and learning in accordance with DRC country, regional as well as global standards, and best practices across DRC Ethiopia.
Programme Monitoring and Reporting:
- Act as Project Focal Point for dedicated Economic Recovery projects and ensure the projects meet outcomes, indicators and budgetary targets in a timely manner through monthly project review coordination meetings with Area Offices.
- Ensure quality assurance & compliance through follow up on the implementation of DRC’s minimum standards for Economic Recovery programming and lead the development, harmonization, rolling out of and training in core programme tools, guidance and standard operating procedures (SOPs) as required.
- Assure compliance with DRC standards and procedures, and alignment with global and regional strategies, including through regular coordination with colleagues in support services at Regional and HQ levels.
- Support organisational risk management related to Economic Recovery activities.
- Ensure conflict-sensitivity and protection principles are mainstreamed throughout the program strategy and implementation, including land dispute issues, safety and dignity, and gender dynamics.
Coordination and representation:
- Facilitate co-creation of market-based solutions that address community needs while aligning with private sector incentives and sustainability goals.
- Support the design and negotiation of public–private partnerships (PPPs), joint ventures, and blended finance mechanisms.
- Build and maintain effective relationships among the team members, partners, and stakeholders.
- In coordination with other DRC Ethiopia Technical Staff, develop together a holistic and inclusive approach to respond to the essential needs of populations affected by a crises.
- Ensure effective coordination with and representation at Food Security and Agriculture clusters, and other relevant sub-clusters & working groups relevant to Ec-Rec programming.
- Support fostering a culture of learning alongside DRC’s MEAL teams, gathering data and feedback from communities.
- Closely coordinate with DRC’s other sectors for all relevant activities to ensure the implementation of DRC’s integrated approach and to make sure Protection is mainstreamed in all project activities,
Other
- Actively participate in the day-to-day management of DRC Ethiopia as part of the ESMT.
- Any other duties as agreed with HoP
Experience and technical competencies:
- Minimum 4 years of experience in livelihoods, economic recovery, and cash assistance in fragile, conflict and disaster affected environments.
- Masters/bachelor’s degree in relevant field (e.g. Economics, Agribusiness, Business Management, Marketing, Livelihoods, or other related technical field).
- Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing innovative financing mechanisms (e.g., blended finance, impact-linked loans, guarantees, concessional lending, results-based financing) in humanitarian or displacement-affected contexts.
- Strong understanding of Ethiopia’s regulatory environment for financial services, SME development, and refugee economic inclusion, including policies governing the right to work, business registration, and access to finance for displaced populations.
- Hands-on experience linking financial institutions (banks, MFIs, fintechs) with displaced and host communities through tailored products such as microfinance, digital payments, insurance, and savings group linkages.
- Strong understanding on Market System Development (MSD) approach and experienced in Market system analysis,
- Significant experience and demonstrated expertise in market-based programming (including CVA) and experience conducting detailed market, and livelihood needs assessments.
- Familiarity with self-reliance programming, including safety net programmes and the Graduation Approach, will be a plus.
- Substantial experience in both a technical advisory role and with hands-on programme management and implementation across the project/programme cycle.
- Experience with conflict-related displacement issues and working in security-sensitive environments and enforcement of team security protocols is an asset.
- Confident and effective representation and communication skills
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
- Strong proposal development skills
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to determine priorities and attention to detail
- Excellent interpersonal and coordination skills, including working with different groups, partners and nationalities, and experience in coordination mechanisms
- Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance and supervision.
EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)
- Masters/bachelor’s degree with relevant, progressive experience in Food Security, Financial Inclusion, Market System Development, Decent Livelihoods, Agriculture, Agroeconomics, Economics, or related technical field.
LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)
- Full professional proficiency in English.
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five 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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
We offer
Contract length: 12 Months
Contract Type: National Contract
Band: G1 – Non-Management
Designation of Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with Frequent Travel to Field.
Start date: 15 October, 2025
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National employees
HOW TO APPLY
Application process
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English through this link: https://drc.ngo/job?id=174263. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
Closing date for applications: August 27, 2025
For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website 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 strongly encourage female candidates to apply for the position!
We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nations to apply.
DRC considers all applicants based on merit.
