Economic Recovery Team Leader

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Economic Recovery Team Leader for our operations in Sheraro North Tigray Field Office.

Overall purpose of the role

The Economic Recovery (EcRec) Team Leader will supervise 2 EcRec Assistants and 2 Community Workers, facilitating the implementation of Economic Recovery activities. The role ensures effective communication between the Economic Recovery team, communities, and stakeholders at field and camp levels. The Team Leader is responsible for overseeing project implementation, supported by the Economic Recovery Manager and Coordinator who provide technical guidance. Key responsibilities include managing livelihood activities related to crop and livestock production, off-farm income-generating activities, VSLAs, and self-help groups. The role also involves conducting livelihood assessments in coordination with DRC staff and government partners, and supporting the monitoring of project implementation, budgets, and other project cycle management tools.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Technical Program Implementation & Management

• Oversee the verification of beneficiaries for goat and pullet distribution using criteria-based assessments to identify vulnerable households
• Conduct Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) surveys to track livestock usage, assess productivity, and measure livelihood impact
• Manage the establishment and maintenance of demonstration plots (0.5 ha each) showcasing climate-smart agricultural practices
• Supervise the installation and operation of solar irrigation pumps to enhance water management and climate resilience
• Oversee the cleaning and maintenance of demonstration farms for replication and learning by other farmers
• Coordinate the distribution of chickens and goats to vulnerable households along with necessary veterinary inputs
• Deploy and manage Kobo Collect for real-time activity tracking, reporting, and cloud-based data storage
• Support the monitoring of project implementation, budgets, and project cycle management tools in accordance with DRC and donor regulations
• Ensure quality control of all program deliverables before distribution to beneficiaries
• Lead logistics processes including timely procurement, quality checks of procured items, and organization of appropriate distribution in the field

Market Systems Development (MSD) & Private Sector Engagement

• Establish partnerships with microfinance institutions (MFIs) to promote access to financial services for community groups
• Provide guidance on business plan development and financial management for small enterprises
• Develop and facilitate market linkage agreements with input suppliers and buyers to strengthen value chains
• Link farmer groups to agro-dealers for agricultural inputs, product sales, and continuous technical support
• Support mature VSLA and farmer groups to join cooperatives for improved market access, shared resources, and long-term sustainability
• Facilitate connections between communities and private sector actors for sustainable economic integration

Stakeholder Engagement, Partnership & Coordination

• Conduct community mobilization and awareness campaigns to promote participation and ownership
• Strengthen and establish Community Feedback & Response Mechanisms (CFRM) through accessible channels such as hotlines, suggestion boxes, and community meetings
• Ensure community participation in decision-making and follow-up on issues raised through feedback mechanisms
• Coordinate with DRC staff, government partners, and Agricultural Extension Workers in conducting livelihood assessments
• Mobilize government and other relevant stakeholders in overall project implementation
• Attend relevant cluster/working group meetings hosted by other NGOs and UN agencies addressing economic recovery issues
• Facilitate dialogue between economic recovery teams, communities, and stakeholders at field and camp levels
• Ensure accountability and transparency through enhanced community engagement structures

 Capacity Building & Team Supervision

• Directly supervise 2 Economic Recovery Assistants and 2 Community Workers, providing technical support and direction in the field
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities to appropriate personnel and motivate the team to work together efficiently
• Facilitate the formation of Farmer Groups (20 persons per group) to encourage cooperative learning and joint activities
• Establish Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) with 20-25 members, training them on financial literacy, credit management, and investment in agriculture
• Coordinate training of Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) who support lead farmers in cascading knowledge to farmer families
• Oversee the training of women on livestock management, including poultry and small ruminant management, feeding, breeding, and disease prevention
• Develop and distribute training manuals on crop production, livestock management, financial literacy, and climate-smart agriculture for standardized technical guidance
• Provide financial literacy training for VSLA members on budgeting, savings, credit use, and investment strategies
• Organize field days at demonstration plots to promote peer-to-peer learning and adoption of innovations
• Build local capacity for knowledge transfer through cascading training systems
• Provide on-the-job training and capacity building for team members

 Collaboration, Learning & Adaptation

• Identify means of enhancing program strengths and opportunities while addressing weaknesses and threats, formulating actionable recommendations
• Proactively manage changes in program scope, identify potential needs for adjustment, and communicate them to stakeholders
• Document lessons learned and best practices from project implementation
• Adapt programming based on community feedback, monitoring data, and field observations
• Prepare progress reports of the program at regular intervals to relevant managers
• Monitor program activities in line with the activity plan, in collaboration with DRC policies and procedures
• Facilitate the exchange of experiences and learning through field days and farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing
• Ensure service quality and overall integrity of the program through continuous learning and improvement
• Support collaboration between different project components to achieve integrated outcomes for conflict-affected communities

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in agriculture and livelihood development programming
• 1-2 years experience on supervisory and management level.
• Proven experience in implementing economic recovery or livelihood projects in humanitarian or development contexts
• Experience in establishing and managing Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) or similar community-based financial inclusion initiatives
• Demonstrated experience in Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) development and business development support
• Experience working with conflict-affected or displaced communities
• Experience in team supervision and staff management.

 EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Agribusiness, Development Studies, Economics, or related field

Desirable

• Master’s degree in agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Livelihoods, Business Administration, or related field

LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)

• English (fluent, spoken and written)
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) and Tigrinya and Amharic

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: 6 Months

Contract Type: National Contract

Band: G – Management

Designation of Duty Station: Sheraro, Tigray

Start date:  January 1, 2026

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National employees

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: December 19, 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 gendergap.
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.