Project Officer - Mentor, NYOTA Refugee Business Development Services

About the Position

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, and non-profit organization, founded in 1956, that works in more than 35 countries around the world. DRC is one of the largest protection actors in Kenya, actively coordinating and advocating for improving the protective environment for refugees and host communities.

DRC has submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) for The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, supported by the World Bank and implemented by the Government of Kenya through the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA). This project aims to expand employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for vulnerable youth. In anticipation of being shortlisted and invited to submit a full proposal, DRC is launching this recruitment process to identify suitably qualified candidates for the proposed key positions. Any subsequent engagement will be conditional on DRC progressing to the proposal stage and ultimately being awarded the assignment.

Within this anticipated assignment, the BDS Mentor will guide and support refugee youth entrepreneurs through structured mentorship, drawing on practical business experience to strengthen their decision-making, resilience, and capacity to develop viable and sustainable enterprises. The role will provide ongoing advice and encouragement, support participants to address business challenges, and help strengthen market linkages and progress towards their entrepreneurial goals.

Responsibilities

• Structured Mentorship

  • Provide regular one-to-one and/or small-group mentorship to refugee youth entrepreneurs, including scheduled check-ins and progress reviews.
  • Reinforce BDS training content, help participants troubleshoot business challenges, refine plans, and remain accountable to agreed business goals.
  • Share practical lessons from real business experience and help participants avoid common mistakes in their entrepreneurial journey.

• Business Guidance and Market Linkages

  • Advise mentees on relevant areas including strategic planning, financial management, marketing, operations, and day-to-day business decision-making.
  • Support linkages to local entrepreneurs, business groups, markets, finance, and other BDS or complementary services where appropriate.
  • Contribute to community business forums, peer-learning spaces, and other networking opportunities intended to expand market access and social cohesion.

• Motivation, Inclusion, and Safe Support

  • Act as an excellent listener and provide a respectful space for mentees to discuss challenges, ideas, and progress.
  • Provide encouragement and emotional support that helps mentees remain motivated and resilient while respecting professional boundaries and referral procedures.
  • Support inclusive mentorship approaches for women and persons with disabilities and demonstrate cultural competence in refugee and displacement-affected settings.

• Documentation and Coordination

  • Document mentorship contacts, content, and progress in the formats required by the project and support verification of sessions delivered.
  • Coordinate with the Team Leader, BDS Delivery Specialists, and DRC project staff to identify follow-up needs and relevant referrals.
  • Participate in mentor training, supervision, and reporting arrangements established for the assignment.

Requirements

• Experience and Technical Competence

  • Extensive practical experience in the business world, including successful experience running a business.
  • Strong knowledge of core business areas such as strategic planning, financial management, marketing, and operations.
  • Strong listening, coaching, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide practical guidance and constructive support.
  • Ability to conduct regular progress reviews and help entrepreneurs adjust plans and stay on track with their goals.
  • Knowledge of the realities of doing business in refugee/camp or displacement-affected settings is highly relevant to the assignment.
  • The mentor cohort must include demonstrated competence in supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities and meaningful representation of female mentors; DRC therefore particularly welcomes applications from women and candidates with relevant disability-inclusion experience.

• Education

  • Minimum secondary school education or equivalent.
  • Certificate, diploma, or other vocational/professional training in business, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, management, or a related field is an advantage.
  • Practical business and mentoring experience is central to the role.

• Language

  • Ability to mentor participants in relevant languages used in refugee settings.
  • Proficiency in Somali is highly desirable, particularly for work with refugee communities in Dadaab.

Key Stakeholders

• Refugee youth mentees and peer mentors.
• Team Leader, BDS Delivery Specialists, and DRC project team.
• Local entrepreneurs, business groups, service providers, and community/refugee-serving actors.

About You

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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 act in line with our vision and values.

Conditions

• Contract: One-year contract with the possibility of extension. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment.
• Availability: November 2026
• Duty station: Roving within various DRC duty stations: (Kakuma/Kalobeyei (Turkana) and Dadaab (Garissa))

Application and CV

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered. DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. Please remember to upload both a letter of application and your CV and do not attach any written recommendations. Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 1st October, 2026.

Gender Equality

DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, female candidates and those from minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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, color, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics.

About the Company

Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world - and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 30 countries, we protect, advocate, and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.

By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of over 6,000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s, and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.