Livelihood Assistant – Market Mapping

We are looking for a highly qualified Livelihood Assistant (Market Mapping) for our program Livelihood (Market Mapping and Analysis Unit) in Antakya- Hatay, Turkey.

Who are we?

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 has been operating in Turkey since early 2013, working with by and large with non-camp Syrian refugees and affected host communities. DRC is committed to basic humanitarian principles; including impartiality and neutrality, and offers the highest standards of accountability to the people it serves. The overall objective for DRC in Turkey is the protection and promotion of durable solutions to displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights with more immediate objectives focusing both on the immediate subsistence needs, protection and self-reliance support as well as a more long term focus on capacity building. In Turkey, DRC works partially through partners, also providing intensive capacity building support, while also conducting direct implementation.

About the job

The overall objective for DRC in Turkey is the protection and promotion of durable solutions to displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights with more immediate objectives focusing both on the immediate subsistence needs, protection and self-reliance support as well as a more long-term focus on social cohesion and resilience building. DRC works with beneficiary communities and individuals to prevent and reduce protection threats, and build resilience.

The objective of the Livelihood Program is to develop and strengthen capacities and self-reliance of vulnerable Syrian refugees and host community to reduce their socio-economic vulnerabilities. The activities include: 1) Counselling, transferrable-skills training and one-to-one coaching to provide beneficiaries with the information, skills, and resources needed to develop more resilient livelihood strategies; 2) Vocational skills training to improve and/or diversify vulnerable peoples’ skill sets so they can pursue livelihood opportunities that increase their ability to adapt and cope with shocks.; 3) Productive asset support and small business grants to motivated beneficiaries to start income-generating activities. Small business management training will be carried out in view of building the capacity of local entrepreneurs in developing their networks, skills and business plans. Selected business plans showing an economic viability and profitability will be provided in/kind support on a matching basis to support the startup and/or expansion of the home-based business or middle size enterprises.

The position will be based mainly in the DRC Hatay Field Office with a frequent visitor to companies and SMEs working in Hatay Field Office

Duties and Responsibilities

The Livelihood Assistant (Market Mapping) will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Overall Responsibilities

• Conduct regular/ongoing market research to contribute to the design and implementation of market-based livelihoods programming
• Work in close cooperation with all departments to ensure all livelihoods activities (e.g. skills development, business start-ups, etc.) respond to identified market demand and needs
• Collect and disseminate up-to-date information on the regulations relating to employment and self-employment applicable to target beneficiaries
• Support the identification of suitable service providers (private companies and institutes, vocational training centers, schools, etc.) for livelihoods activities
• Maintain and improve relations with relevant stakeholders in support to Livelihoods and private companies to inform the market research

  Access to employment

• Advise on relevance of trainings based on an analysis of marketable skills
• Review training curricula to ensure they enable the development of marketable skills
• Conduct outreach with private sector actors to identify and map internship and job vacancies and maintain a database easily accessible by all relevant Livelihoods staff
• Facilitate the participation of beneficiaries and private companies in job fairs

  Business development/self-employment

• Work in close cooperation with the Productive Asset Assistants during business skills development trainings and business plan development to increase beneficiaries’ access to relevant market information
• Work in close coordination with DRC Procurement Department to procure Productive Asset materials
• Facilitate the participation of beneficiaries in product fairs
• Provide market integration support, linking beneficiaries to end-markets (including through the platform Buy4Impact) where they can sell their production

  General Programming and Operations

• Engage in outreach activities related to the project (with community members, local NGOs, and private sector contacts)
• Identify and discuss with supervisor/team new approaches related to skills trainings and entrepreneurship to ensure a flexible and relevant implementation based on the needs of beneficiaries
• Identify and discuss with supervisor/team the need for relevant assessments and focus group discussions to improve programming
• Promote strong link between livelihood beneficiaries, protection activities/community centers
• Support the organization of trainings and other events related to the project

  Monitoring & Evaluation

• Field visits to monitor the business well-being (clients of the business, income generate - along with the M&E team -) and regular reporting to supervisor
• Participate in the internal evaluation of the program

  Other

• Complete any additional tasks identified by Supervisor
• Incorporate technical feedback provided by the Funding Partner to ensure quality market mapping, analysis, and support

  About you

  Essential Qualifications:

• University degree or advanced in business administration, economics, marketing, trade, and related field.

Essential Experiences:

• Experience in market research and analysis
• Experience in business administration and business development.

  Preferred Qualification:

• High-level of knowledge and practice with Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.

  Preferred Experience:

• Experience with the private business sector
• Relevant professional experience with a humanitarian aid organization
• An understanding of humanitarian/civil society issues in Turkey and the region

  Required Skills and Competencies

• Very strong market research skills
• Capacity to work independently
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment
• Ability to create linkages between different departments including between programmes and support functions
• Strong initiative and self-motivation, with a strong commitment to teamwork and humanitarian principles
• Flexibility, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn from others

  Language Skills:

• Fluency in Turkish is essential, Arabic is a strong asset, and good knowledge of English is highly preferred.

  Characteristics:

• Strong link to market systems
• Strong focus on market research and analysis
• Strong collaboration with other Livelihood Assistants and trainers/facilitators

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 act in line with our vision and values.

We offer

DRC will offer the successful applicant a 6 months contract, renewable dependent on both funding and performance. You must be available to start work from 15.01.2018 and be willing and able to work in Antakya-Hatay.

We offer a fair compensation package depending on your qualification and experiences as well as additional allowances such as relocation allowance and living allowances, if applicable. DRC Turkey is income tax exempted.

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button. 

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact recruitment@drc-turkey.org  

Applications close 21.01.2018. The interviews are expected to take place within 2 weeks after the application close date.

Need further information?

For more details on this position please contact HR Team at recruitment@drc-turkey.org.

Please note that applications sent directly to HR Team will not be considered.

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.ngo