Job Title: Economic Recovery Assistant – VSLA
Organization: Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
Location: Aba’ala, Afar, Ethiopia
Contract Type: National Contract, 6 Months
Band: I2 – Non-Management
Start Date: ASAP
Application Deadline: 5 November 2025
About the Job:
The Economic Recovery Assistant plays a key role in facilitating field-level implementation of livelihood and financial inclusion activities under the Food Security and Climate Resiliency project. The position involves conducting community awareness sessions, trainings, assessments, beneficiary targeting, and building partnerships with local administrators, elders, clan leaders, women’s and youth representatives, and other community groups.
The role includes data collection, community mobilization, beneficiary profiling, and technical support for project implementation. The Assistant will provide regular follow-up and door-to-door support to targeted beneficiaries, ensuring proper tracking of inputs, outputs, and outcomes, while inspiring beneficiaries to strengthen and sustain their business activities.
The Assistant is responsible for the sustainability and functionality of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) through coaching, facilitation of meetings, monitoring savings and loans, business management support, and oversight of recordkeeping and group bylaws. The role also supports Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), providing business coaching, identifying challenges, monitoring progress, and coordinating with the Economic Recovery Officer.
The Assistant will also support early recovery and livelihood interventions, including on-farm activities (vegetables, crops, livestock, poultry, fattening) and off-farm activities (petty trade, service-based enterprises), applying project frameworks such as Resilience Building, Market System Development, Climate-Smart and Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture, Livelihood Diversification, NRM, Social and Behavior Change, DRR, and VSLAs.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Project Implementation, Monitoring, and Documentation:
- Implement field-level project activities according to project guidelines.
- Facilitate beneficiary orientation, targeting, and documentation.
- Organize kebele-level trainings, awareness sessions, and assessments.
- Provide technical support to VSLA groups to ensure sustainability.
- Monitor SMEs’ progress, operations, and financial linkages.
- Document field visits, best practices, and community events.
- Track early recovery interventions and report to the Economic Recovery Manager.
VSLA Formation and Capacity Building:
- Conduct awareness campaigns for potential VSLA members.
- Establish, organize, and train VSLA groups on operational principles.
- Support new VSLAs with seed money and tailored coaching.
- Strengthen functional management committees and compliance with bylaws.
Skills Development and Market Linkages:
- Train VSLA members in technical, entrepreneurship, job-seeking, and non-cognitive skills.
- Conduct training on bookkeeping, digital literacy, financial management, and entrepreneurship.
- Facilitate linkages with formal financial institutions (MFIs, banks).
- Conduct market assessments and support Market System Development (MSD) interventions.
Digital and Financial Inclusion:
- Provide access to digital financial tools and numeracy training.
- Offer support for comprehensive development of VSLA group capacities.
Coordination & Partnership:
- Coordinate with government offices and kebele-level stakeholders.
- Promote DRC’s mission and vision within communities.
- Engage influential community members to showcase project achievements.
- Serve as a liaison between government structures and DRC.
Experience and Technical Competencies:
- Minimum of 1-year professional experience in Agriculture, Livelihood Development, VSLAs, financial inclusion, SME development, or business development.
- Practical knowledge of VSLAs, private sector engagement, livelihoods/self-reliance, gender mainstreaming, social cohesion, protection, or advocacy interventions.
- Experience in early recovery projects, particularly in conflict- and climate-affected areas.
- Strong team leadership, coordination, and technical implementation skills.
- Experience supporting displacement-affected entrepreneurs, ideally in Afar.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated cultural awareness, sensitivity, and respect for diversity.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work collaboratively.
Education:
- Minimum of a Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Development Economics, Development Management, Accounting and Finance, Agriculture, Rural Development, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, Cooperative and SME Development, or other relevant fields.
Languages:
- Fluent English (spoken and written).
- Knowledge of local languages (Afar and Amharic) is mandatory.
Core Competencies:
- Striving for excellence, Collaborating, Taking the lead, Communicating, Demonstrating integrity.
We Offer:
- Contract Length: 6 Months
- Contract Type: National Contract
- Band: I2 – Non-Management
- Duty Station: Aba’ala, Afar
- Salary and Conditions: In accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for National Employees
Application Process:
- Applicants must upload a cover letter and CV (max 4 pages) in English.
- Applications sent by email will not be considered.
- Previous applicants from earlier rounds do not need to re-apply; their applications will be reviewed.
- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Closing Date: 5 November 2025