Team Leader - NYOTA Refugee Business Development Services

About the Position

Team Leader - NYOTA Refugee Business Development Services

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.

Responsibilities

Project Leadership and Coordination

• Lead overall planning and implementation of the BDS assignment and coordinate delivery across Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kalobeyei Settlement, and Dadaab Refugee Complex.
• Coordinate and supervise BDS Delivery Specialists, trainers, mentors, and other implementation personnel across participating counties.
• Maintain availability for the full duration of the assignment and support timely mobilization, sequencing, and delivery of all required activities.

Technical Design and Quality

• Lead the contextual assessment and the review, selection, adaptation, and finalization of BDS, socio-emotional skills, and mentorship curricula for refugee youth.
• Oversee piloting and refinement of training materials, trainers manuals, participant materials, and mentorship guidance, including gender-responsive and disability-inclusive adaptations.
• Ensure delivery is practical, experiential, trauma-informed, accessible to participants with different literacy and ability levels, and relevant to micro and small enterprise realities in refugee settings.

Implementation Oversight

• Oversee Training of Trainers, training of mentors, classroom BDS delivery, structured mentorship, business networking, and market-linkage activities.
• Ensure women, girls, and persons with disabilities can participate safely and meaningfully, including through appropriate accessibility, facilitation, and referral arrangements.
• Promote linkages with local value chains, business associations, financial services, digital marketplaces, and complementary service providers where relevant.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Stakeholder Coordination

• Ensure accurate, verifiable, and auditable documentation of training and mentorship delivery, including attendance, completion, session content, progress, and outcomes.
• Lead quality assurance and preparation of inception, progress, and final reporting required under the assignment.
• Coordinate closely with DRC management, MSEA, and other relevant government, humanitarian, UN, and private-sector stakeholders.

Requirements

Experience and Technical Competence

• At least eight (8) years of experience in entrepreneurship programmes.
• At least five (5) years of experience in business/entrepreneurship training and/or livelihoods programmes involving refugee communities.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Kenyan micro and small enterprise context, particularly in refugee settings.
• Demonstrated understanding of gender-responsive and disability-inclusive programme design in humanitarian or displacement-affected contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and supervise multi-disciplinary teams across participating counties.

Education

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.

Language

• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili.

We Offer

• One-year contract with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.
• Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment.
• Roving within various DRC duty stations: Kakuma/Kalobeyei (Turkana) and Dadaab (Garissa).

About the Company

Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) 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.

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.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.