The BDS Coordinator will lead the design and delivery of business development interventions that strengthen refugee community participation in local and regional markets. This role requires strong experience in Market Systems Development (MSD), entrepreneurship, agri-business, refugee economic inclusion, and market linkages, with a focus on value chains enabling micro, small, and growing enterprises (MSMEs) to access finance, services, and sustainable commercial opportunities that will intentionally contribute to refugee self-reliance and upward transition from one Differentiated Assistance Category to the next category. The Coordinator will support the implementation of a differentiated approach framework, ensuring tailored support that meets the varied needs of refugee’s transition pathways through growth-oriented enterprises, market linkages, access to finance and strong collaboration with other key government, private sector and market actors in Kakuma and Kalobeyei.
Responsibilities
Market Systems Development
- Conduct market system assessments to identify constraints, opportunities, and leverage points for refugee and host entrepreneurs.
- Design and implement MSD interventions that improve enterprise performance, inclusivity, and competitiveness.
- Facilitate systemic change by strengthening market relationships, service markets, and support functions (e.g., information, financial services, skills).
- Support private-sector engagement strategies, ensuring market actors sustainably integrate refugee and host populations.
Business Development Services
- Provide or facilitate tailored BDS services for different segments of entrepreneurs (start-ups, micro-enterprises, growth-oriented businesses).
- Strengthen local producer groups, associations and SMEs to deliver quality services sustainably.
- Support entrepreneurship training, business planning, financial literacy, and tailored business model refinement.
Market Linkages
- Facilitate trade and linkages between refugees/hosts and private sector buyers, suppliers, aggregators, processors, value addition and service providers.
- Support participation in trade fairs, business networking events, and supply chain integration initiatives.
- Strengthen value chain relationships and improve market access for refugee-led enterprises.
Access to Finance
- Identify financial constraints and develop strategies to improve access to formal and informal finance.
- Facilitate partnerships with financial institutions (MFIs, banks, SACCOs, digital lenders) to design inclusive and refugee-friendly products.
- Support savings groups, grants-to-loans pathways, credit readiness, and financial capability strengthening.
- Track financial access outcomes and ensure interventions are commercially viable.
Differentiated Approach & Inclusion
- Apply differentiated assistance support frameworks to tailor transition interventions based on capacities, economic profiles, and vulnerability levels.
- Ensure gender, youth, disability inclusion, and protection principles are integrated in all BDS and market activity design.
- Work closely with community structures to ensure strong participation and feedback loops.
Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement
- Coordinate with UNHCR, WFP, NGOs, county government, and private-sector actors involved in livelihoods and economic inclusion.
- Participate in technical working groups related to economic inclusion, private sector engagement, and protection.
- Strengthen partnerships for apprenticeships, TVET collaboration, job placement, and enterprise growth opportunities.
Monitoring, Learning, and Reporting
- Collaborate with MEAL teams to collect market data, document learning, and analyze intervention outcomes.
- Capture case studies, success stories, and evidence for adaptive management.
- Contribute to donor reports, work plans, budgets, and technical documentation.
Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Livestock Production, Agribusiness, Economics, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, Entrepreneurship, or a related field.
- Master’s degree in a relevant field is an added advantage.
- Training or certification in Program/Project Management is desirable.
Minimum Required Experience
- Minimum 3–5 years of experience in livestock and agri-realted value chains, development or humanitarian programming.
- Demonstrated experience in refugee livelihoods, agriculture/livestock, youth employment, or enterprise development.
- Experience working with refugees, women, youth, and vulnerable populations is a strong advantage.
