Economic Recovery Specialist – (Employment & Labour Market Engagement)

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, dedicated to helping displaced people and communities affected by conflict and disaster. Established in 1956, DRC operates in multiple countries across the globe, providing assistance in areas such as protection, livelihoods, and economic recovery. The organization employs thousands of staff members and collaborates with various partners to deliver effective humanitarian aid and development programs. DRC's mission is to ensure that displaced people can rebuild their lives and regain their dignity, focusing on long-term solutions and sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The Economic Recovery Specialist will serve as the technical lead for the economic recovery component of the Mixed Migration Programme. This role emphasizes the development of employment pathways, market-oriented apprenticeships, and employer engagement, with a focus on integrating vulnerable populations, including migrants, returnees, and at-risk youth, into the labor market. The Specialist will design and implement strategies that address the barriers preventing these groups from accessing decent employment and income-generating opportunities. By applying a Market Systems Development approach, the Specialist will tailor program support to the unique skills, experiences, and aspirations of participants, ensuring alignment with actual labor market demands. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including Economic Recovery Officers and other program management teams, to ensure comprehensive support for participants across different employment pathways.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Labour Market Engagement, Employment Pathways & Private Sector Partnerships: Conduct thorough analyses of high-demand sectors and skills gaps, design employment pathways that align with labor market needs, and build strategic relationships with employers and industry associations. Identify barriers to recruitment and develop practical solutions in collaboration with market actors. Facilitate connections between participants and employers through authorized services and ensure continuous improvement through tracking placement and retention outcomes.
• Market Oriented Paid Apprenticeships & Employer Incentives: Lead the design and management of paid apprenticeship models that provide realistic pathways into employment. Establish criteria for employer selection and ensure that apprenticeships promote decent work and safety. Work with employers to address recruitment and retention challenges while documenting lessons learned to refine models continuously.
• Skills Recognition, Participant Placement & Employability: Strengthen pathways for skills recognition and certification, ensuring alignment with labor market demands. Develop systems for matching participants with apprenticeships and employment opportunities while providing technical guidance on workplace readiness. Ensure that all processes are protection-sensitive and free from exploitation.
• Integration with Labour Mobility Pathways & Market Systems Approaches: Establish clear connections between local employment pathways and formal labor mobility options. Contribute to labor market analysis to determine the most appropriate pathways for participants and apply Market Systems Development principles to address underlying constraints.
• Partnerships, Monitoring, Learning & Technical Quality Assurance: Build and maintain partnerships with various stakeholders, including employers and government counterparts. Work with MEAL to track key indicators and analyze feedback for continuous improvement. Provide ongoing technical mentoring to Economic Recovery Officers and ensure that all interventions adhere to protection and safeguarding principles.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least 3 years of progressive experience in livelihoods, economic recovery, employment promotion, or related fields. Experience in Market Systems Development and private sector engagement is highly advantageous. Demonstrated ability to design and implement market-oriented economic pathways and employment programs is essential. Familiarity with the dynamics of mixed migration and experience working with vulnerable populations in Ethiopia is strongly preferred. Knowledge of green and climate-resilient livelihoods is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree (BA) or Master’s degree (MA) in economics, business management, entrepreneurship, labor studies, development studies, migration studies, sociology, social work, public administration, or a related field is required. Relevant certifications or licenses may also be considered.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in fields such as livelihoods, economic recovery, employment promotion, or Market Systems Development. Experience working with displaced communities, vulnerable youth, and understanding the economic drivers of migration in Ethiopia is strongly preferred. Practical experience with skills assessments and case management is also important.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while knowledge of local languages is considered an advantage. Proficiency in local languages can enhance communication with participants and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The contract length for this position is 12 months, with a national contract type and a designation of duty station in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. The expected start date is October 15, 202

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National employees. The application process requires candidates to submit a cover letter and an updated CV in English, with a strict limit of three pages for the CV. Applications sent via email will not be considered, and the closing date for applications is September 24, 202
• DRC is committed to gender equality and encourages women candidates to apply, as well as ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants.