Project Assistant – Financial Inclusion Full Time NEW

DanChurchAid (DCA) is seeking for a highly talented and dynamic individual for the position of Project Assistant – Financial Inclusion to support the implementation of youth resilience and livelihoods interventions in Kilifi County. The position will be based in Mombasa, and reports to the Nairobi-based Head of Programme, with day-to-day oversight and collaboration with DCA’s partner, Coastal and Marine Resource Development (COMRED). The Project Assistant will play a hands-on delivery, coordination and support role, working closely with stakeholders, implementing partner/s, community institutions, and youth groups to facilitate project activities, support financial inclusion and livelihoods components, monitor progress, and ensure timely reporting. The role will contribute to strengthening youth skills, access to markets and finance, and participation in local governance structures as part of a broader effort to reduce drivers of youth radicalisation along the coast.

Background: DCA is implementing a youth-focused resilience and livelihoods programme in Kilifi County in partnership with COMRED and other local stakeholders. The project aims to reduce the risk of youth radicalisation by strengthening inclusive livelihood pathways, improving access to skills and finance, and reinforcing community-based institutions such as Beach Management Units (BMUs) and youth groups. Within this partnership, COMRED leads day-to-day community implementation, while DCA provides strategic oversight, technical guidance, quality assurance, and donor stewardship, ensuring alignment with agreed objectives, compliance with donor requirements, and integration of financial inclusion, livelihoods, and social cohesion approaches.

The main responsibilities of the Project Assistant – Financial Inclusion are:

Project Implementation and Partner Support

• Support implementing partners and community institutions (including Beach Management Units, youth and special interest groups) in the roll-out of project activities in line with approved workplans.
• Assist in mobilising and engaging vulnerable youth, with particular attention to inclusion of young women and marginalised groups.
• Support coordination of trainings, mentorship sessions, apprenticeships, innovation challenges, and community forums.
• Provide day-to-day follow-up on agreed activities, flagging implementation challenges and risks to the Head of Programme.

Livelihoods, Skills and Financial Inclusion Support

• Implement the delivery of youth skills development, life skills, and livelihoods activities linked to fisheries, tourism, and Blue Economy value chains.
• Assist in linking youth groups and enterprises to savings mechanisms, SACCOs, microfinance institutions, and market actors.
• Facilitate implementation of innovation challenges, seed grant processes, and early-stage enterprise mentoring, in collaboration with partners.
• Promote good practice in financial literacy, transparent group governance, and responsible use of grants or revolving funds.

Social Cohesion and Community Engagement

• Support implementation of social cohesion, peacebuilding, and behaviour-change activities, including arts-based initiatives, youth dialogues, and community events.
• Assist in engagement with religious leaders, local authorities, and community influencers to strengthen positive youth narratives and counter extremist messaging.
• Support youth-led initiatives that combine conservation, livelihoods, and peacebuilding.

Monitoring, Learning and Reporting

• Support routine data collection, activity documentation, and tracking of outputs and outcomes.
• Assist in preparing narrative inputs for donor reports, learning briefs, and internal updates.
• Participate in reflection meetings and learning sessions to strengthen adaptive management and evidence-based programming.

Coordination and Representation

• Liaise with county government departments, TVET institutions, private sector actors, and other stakeholders in pursuit of achieving project objectives.
• Represent DCA in community-level meetings as required and ensure clear communication of DCA’s role within the partnership.

Key Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma or degree in social sciences, development studies, business, natural resource management, or a related field. A diploma with relevant experience is also acceptable.
• A minimum of three years proven experience working with youth-focused livelihoods, skills development, or community-based programmes.
• Familiarity with coastal or Blue Economy contexts (fisheries, tourism, conservation) is a strong advantage.
• Experience working through or with local partners and community institutions.
• Strong coordination, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work sensitively with vulnerable youth in complex social environments.
• Experience in providing financial advice, financial education, business mentorship and coaching to young entrepreneurs.
• Excellent relationship management skills in a multi-stakeholder context.
• Good interpersonal skills and a proven team player.
• Self-driven and results-oriented in challenging refugee/rural working environments.

About DCA

DanChurchAid (DCA) is working in Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Kilifi and Nairobi counties with refugees and local communities to enhance peace, livelihoods, and resilience. DCA implements projects directly as well as through local partner organizations. For more information on DCA, please visit https://www.danchurchaid.org/

The position is for ­­­­18 months (renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds), with a three-month probation period. DCA offers a competitive salary package (salary, insurance, and benefits) in accordance to experience and DCA Kenya HR Manual.

Tagged as: DanChurchAid, Kenya