Project Officer (NYOTA) Kenya Dadaab
Grade: Professional · Schedule: Full time
Background
The NYOTA Business Development Services (BDS) package provides tailored entrepreneurship support to refugee and host-community youth in Kakuma/Kalobeyei and Dadaab. Mentorship is a structured post-training component designed to reinforce BDS learning, support business development and problem-solving, facilitate market and service linkages, and strengthen the confidence and resilience of young entrepreneurs. The BDS ToR requires at least four mentorship sessions over four months, beginning after the first grant disbursement and continuing across the two grant tranches.
What you will do:
The BSD Officer will provide practical, structured and supportive guidance to NYOTA youth to help them apply BDS learning, address business challenges, strengthen their businesses and pursue viable market opportunities. The Mentor will use their own business experience and knowledge to provide strategic advice, facilitate learning and networking, encourage accountability and resilience, and refer mentees to appropriate BDS, market, financial or other support when needs fall outside the scope of mentorship.
Provide business development and entrepreneurship support within the assigned area of responsibility, in accordance with NRC programme standards, tools and approaches.
Support participants to strengthen their knowledge and capacity in business development, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Facilitate access to relevant business development opportunities, including markets, value chains, financial services, business networks and other relevant support services.
Promote inclusive, safe and accountable programme delivery, ensuring appropriate consideration of gender, disability and other barriers to participation.
Contribute to programme monitoring, learning and quality improvement by identifying and sharing achievements, challenges, lessons learned and good practices.
Coordinate and collaborate effectively with relevant NRC teams, partners and stakeholders to support quality programme implementation.
Provide technical support, guidance, coaching and capacity building to colleagues with business development and mentorship responsibilities, including contributing to the induction and development of new staff.
Ensure accurate and timely documentation and reporting of assigned programme activities in accordance with NRC requirements.
Represent NRC professionally and ensure compliance with NRC policies, guidance, procedures, Code of Conduct and relevant programme standards.
Compliance and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures, and a specific responsibility for the functions policies and procedures
Specific responsibilities:
Conduct at least four mentorship sessions over four months for assigned participants, in accordance with the approved Mentorship Guide, work plans and programme objectives.
Create a professional, respectful and safe mentorship environment where participants can openly discuss business ideas, challenges and progress.
Provide practical guidance on business planning, financial management, marketing, customer relations, operations, pricing and record keeping.
Reinforce Business Development Services (BDS) training and support mentees to apply acquired knowledge and skills to their businesses or business ideas.
Support mentees to establish realistic business goals, monitor progress, identify challenges and develop practical action plans.
Maintain regular follow-up and coaching with assigned mentees and identify needs for additional technical assistance or referral.
Support mentees to identify business opportunities, address business challenges and connect with relevant markets, value chains, financial services, cooperatives, business networks and entrepreneurship support services.
Encourage resilience, initiative, confidence, teamwork and problem-solving skills that support sustainable entrepreneurship.
Apply safeguarding, PSEA, confidentiality, non-discrimination, gender-responsive and disability-inclusive approaches throughout mentorship activities.
Maintain accurate records of mentorship sessions, beneficiary confirmations, business progress and participant feedback, and submit required reports within agreed timelines.
Coordinate closely with the relevant NYOTA project team, trainers, facilitators, instructors, MSEA and other stakeholders to ensure mentorship activities are aligned with the wider BDS intervention and complementary support services.
Participate in programme review, monitoring and learning activities and contribute feedback and lessons from mentorship implementation to improve programme quality.
Any other tasks as delegated by the line manager.
What you will bring
Professional competencies
Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Commerce, Economics, Development Studies, Livelihoods or a related field, with at least 2 years’ relevant experience in business mentorship, enterprise coaching or advisory services.
Practical entrepreneurship and business management experience.
Experience supporting entrepreneurs through business challenges and growth decisions.
Knowledge of the local micro and small enterprise and market context.
Ability to provide mentorship and practical coaching to youth.
Understanding of inclusive, gender-responsive and culturally sensitive approaches.
Knowledge of the refugee and host-community context in Kakuma/Kalobeyei and/or Dadaab is an advantage.