Posted by the organisation on ReliefWeb · Verified employer
Scoping Additional Capacity Building and Finance-Alternative Financing Consultancy
Danish Refugee Council
Job at a glance
- Employer
- Danish Refugee Council
- Position
- Scoping Additional Capacity Building and Finance-Alternative Financing Consultancy
- Location
- Turkana County, Kenya
- Possible duty stations
- Turkana County and Nairobi
- Job type
- Contract
- Contract
- 8-week consultancy
- Experience
- Minimum 5 years in MSME financing/enterprise development
- Education
- Master’s degree or Bachelor’s + 5 years experience
- Salary
- Not stated in the advert
- Application deadline
- 25 October 2026
- Start date
- October 2026
- Posted on VacancyKE
- 16 October 2026
VacancyKE summary
DRC is hiring a consultant to conduct a gap analysis and co-design new financing models for entrepreneurs in Kakuma. The role involves mapping investors and developing an actionable roadmap for alternative finance within the Pathways to Prosperity project.
What stands out about this opportunity
- Focuses on designing new financing models rather than just reviewing existing ones.
- Requires self-funded travel and logistics for Turkana County assignments.
- Deliverables include a co-designed ecosystem model and actionable roadmap.
What’s offered
- Consultancy lasting 8 weeks, starting October 2026.
- Payments split: 20% inception, 20% mid-term, 30% pre-final, 30% final approval.
Key responsibilities
- Conduct primary data collection via surveys and interviews with entrepreneurs in Kakuma.
- Identify gaps in access to finance and validate why past funding models failed.
- Map potential investors and funders interested in climate, livestock, and MSMEs.
- Develop a strategy for connecting entrepreneurs with identified potential funders.
- Facilitate a co-design workshop with stakeholders in Nairobi and Kakuma.
- Lead the design of new, innovative financing models based on findings.
- Produce a final comprehensive report serving as an actionable implementation roadmap.
Who should apply?
This role suits experienced consultants in development finance and enterprise support who can operate independently in fragile contexts like Kakuma. Candidates with prior exposure to refugee economies and alternative financing mechanisms are ideal.
Key requirements
- 5+ years in MSME financing or enterprise development
- Degree in Finance, Business, or Development Economics
- Knowledge of challenge funds and accelerators
- Ability to travel to Turkana County
- Professional report writing skills
Nice to have
- Completion certificates from similar assignments by recognised institutions.
- At least three references for similar work undertaken in the last three years.
What you should know
- The engagement requires travel to Turkana County (Kakuma).
- You must arrange and cover costs for transport, accommodation, insurance, and meals.
- Adherence to DRC’s Code of Conduct and context security guidelines is mandatory.
- Weekly and monthly progress updates are required to the Project Manager.
- Financial proposals must include all associated costs.
How to apply
Official source: Posted by the organisation on ReliefWeb · reliefweb.int. VacancyKE never charges job seekers.
Original employer advertisement
Published by Danish Refugee Council on reliefweb.int. Shown for reference; the employer’s version is the official one.
The employer’s advert
DRC has been operational in Kenya since 2005 and has been working with refugee and host communities. DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities. It provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence. DRC is present in Garissa (Dadaab & Garissa), Turkana (Kakuma, Kalobeyei & Lodwar), Nairobi and Mandera counties.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Grundfos Foundation have granted funding to a consortium led by DRC, comprising Dan Church Aid (DCA) and Turkana Pastoralists Development Organization (TUPADO) to implement the Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) project. The project intends to promote self-reliance and resilience interventions in Turkana West Sub-County targeting both refugees and the host community population. The project targets both refugees and host community populations. Under financial inclusion, the project seeks to explore alternative financing mechanisms and broader business development services that are more flexible, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs of entrepreneurs as they scale and sustain their ventures.
**Purpose**
DRC Kenya is looking to explore wider entrepreneurship services that would be useful beyond formal finance access to support further business development activities. While access to formal financial services such as bank loans and participation in business training programs have supported many entrepreneurs, these services often remain insufficient for certain businesses, particularly those with high-growth potential, non-traditional models or operating in informal or fragile settings. The purpose of this consultancy is to go beyond a traditional review of financing options and instead conduct a targeted gap analysis, followed by a collaborative design process, to create new, innovative financing programs for businesses in the Kakuma context. This will provide DRC with a strong position to advocate for more relevant and effective financing strategies with partners.
**Objectives**
The consultant will be responsible for the following key objectives:
1\. **Conduct a comprehensive gap analysis:** Identify what financing and business services are available to entrepreneurs, what is not available, and most importantly, why existing options are not suitable or accessible to them. This will include an analysis of business models, affordability, and the stage and industry of businesses, with a specific focus on sectors like climate, livestock, agriculture, and small businesses.
2\. **Analyse past funding initiatives:** Conduct a stock-taking exercise to understand what happened to businesses that received funding from previous grant or challenge funds, such
as KKCF and Spark Fund. The goal is to understand the challenges they faced in continuing their business and securing further investment.
3\. **Integrate a climate focus:** Include an analysis of businesses with a positive climate impact, such as those in the clean cooking and renewable energy sectors, to understand their specific financing needs for expansion.
4\. **Facilitate a co-design session:** Organize and lead a workshop with key stakeholders, including investors, financiers, implementing partners, and refugee entrepreneurs, to present the findings and collectively design new, more suitable financing models. This will ensure the final output is an actionable, unified ecosystem model.
**Scope of Work**
The consultant will undertake a phased approach with the following specific tasks:
**● Phase 1: Gap and Needs Analysis**
○ Conduct primary data collection through surveys, focus groups discussion, and interviews with a diverse group of entrepreneurs in Kakuma, categorized by business size and sector.
○ Identify specific gaps in access to finance and business support that are not being met by formal loans or existing training programs.
○ Validate assumptions about why past funding models have not been widely effective or sustainable for businesses.
**● Phase 2: Investor and Stakeholder Mapping**
○ Map out potential investors and funders who may be interested in financing structures relevant to the Kakuma context, particularly for businesses in the identified priority sectors.
○ Identify and document which investors could be interested in supporting businesses with a climate angle.
○ Develop a tool or a strategy for connecting entrepreneurs with these potential funders.
**● Phase 3: Co-Design and Reporting**
○ Facilitate a workshop/roundtable session with a diverse group of stakeholders in Nairobi and Kakuma.
○ Lead the stakeholders in a co-design process to develop new financing models based on the findings of the gap and needs analysis.
○ Develop a final, comprehensive report that is not just a study, but an actionable roadmap. The report should include the needs analysis, an evaluation of mechanisms, and a clear implementation strategy for the newly designed financing model
**Expected Outputs**
The expected deliverables are summarized as below: **Phase**
**Expected deliverables**
**Indicative description of deliverables**
**Timelines**
Component 1: Inception
• Detailed Inception Report outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and overall approach.
• Develop an Inception report that outlines the general approach to the assignment, schedule of activities and their deliverables.
**Week 1**
Component 2: Gap and Needs Analysis
• Conduct validation sessions are based on the report submitted. • **Analysis and synthesis** of stakeholder feedback, identifying gaps and opportunities.
• A summary report of the identified gaps and needs in finance and business support
**Week 2 & 3**
Component 3: Investor and Stakeholder Mapping
**a. Mapping of Investors and funders**, including non-traditional financiers, financial and non-financial service providers, Ecosystem actors
**b.** Analyse specific investors interested in supporting interventions in **climate, livestock production, skills development, MSMEs.**
**c.** Develop strategy for connecting entrepreneurs with potential funders
• A written summary of key findings and analysis from stakeholder consultations, data analysis, and service mapping, identifying relevant themes and insights to inform the financing strategy.
• Submitted strategy for connecting entrepreneurs with potential funders
**Week 4 & 5**
Component 4: Co-Design and Reporting
Based on the findings from data collection and consultations, the consultant will conduct workshop/round table sessions with diverse stakeholders in co-designing new financing models/approaches.
Submission of actionable roadmap on new financial approaches, to be validated by the various actors.
• A professionally written, well-structured final report (max 25–30 pages excluding
**Week 6, 7 & 8**
**Duration, Timeline and Payment**
The consultancy is expected to last for 8 weeks, with final report to be submitted by the 8th week of consultancy work.
**1st Instalment 20%**
**2nd Instalment 20%**
**3rd Instalment 30%**
**Final payment 30 %**
Upon signing the contract, delivery of an agreed Implementation Plan and Inception Report.
Within the 1st week of the engagement.
Upon submission of a summary report of the identified gaps in finance and business support
Expected to take place by 3rd week of engagement
- A written summary of key findings and analysis from stakeholder consultations, data analysis, and service mapping, identifying relevant themes and insights to inform the financing strategy.
- Submitted strategy for connecting entrepreneurs with potential funders
Expected to take place by 5th week of engagement
Upon DRC approval of the final report and actionable roadmap on new financial processes
To be submitted by the 8th Week of engagement.
**Eligibility Criteria**
For this assignment, the Consultant should have extensive experience and knowledge in strengthening systems for BDS/FSP in Kenya that supports refugees and vulnerable host communities’ initiatives.
Among the desirable qualifications for a lead consultant are:
- Master’s degree, or a bachelor's degree with over five years of substantial experience in Finance, Business, Development Economics, or related field
- The consultant should have a Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience working in enterprise development, MSME financing, or inclusive financial systems.
- Proven understanding of the innovation ecosystem in particular innovative alternative financing, challenge funds and accelerators.
- Completion Certificates for similar works from recognized and reputable institutions are an added advantage and/or provide at least 3 references of similar assignments s/he has successfully undertaken in the last 3 years.
- Demonstrated experience in small business development and management, experience with small business financing, market analysis, and market research.
- Strong networking capabilities, with the ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships.
- Proven ability to demonstrate innovative thinking and previous experience working in innovative alternative financing for SMEs and start-ups.
- Experience in designing or working with challenge funds.
- Substantive knowledge of community micro-entrepreneurs and alternative financing modalities to support refugee entrepreneurs.
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity and contextual knowledge of Entrepreneurship Development as a thematic area.
- Proven experience in professional report writing, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and insightful documentation.
**Conditions**
The engagement calls for adherence to the context security guidelines. On the same breadth, DRC does not guarantee security in relation to this engagement, and it will therefore not be liable for any eventuality. Nevertheless, any relevant security updates will be shared when necessary.
- The tasks must be completed within the stipulated time frame.
- This engagement is set to begin in October 2026 with assignment spreading within a period of 2 months. The operations must be within the agreed terms of engagement.
- The engagement calls for adherence to and signing of DRC’s Code of Conduct
- The offer for this engagement should be inclusive of all associated and agreed costs.
- For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit [www.drc.dk](https://www.drc.dk/).
**Reporting lines**
Reporting will be to the Project Manager with provision of regular updates to Economic Recovery Team Leader on the progress of the project as per the agreed-upon schedule.
For the duration of the engagement, progress update is expected on a weekly and monthly basis to the Project Manager.
**Travel**
The engagement necessitates the consultant to be based or travel to Turkana County during the exercise in understanding the context, markets and establishing possible linkages. As such, the consultant is responsible for making their own arrangements for transportation, accommodation, insurance, and meals, and should include these provisions in the Financial Proposal.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Grundfos Foundation have granted funding to a consortium led by DRC, comprising Dan Church Aid (DCA) and Turkana Pastoralists Development Organization (TUPADO) to implement the Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) project. The project intends to promote self-reliance and resilience interventions in Turkana West Sub-County targeting both refugees and the host community population. The project targets both refugees and host community populations. Under financial inclusion, the project seeks to explore alternative financing mechanisms and broader business development services that are more flexible, inclusive, and responsive to the diverse needs of entrepreneurs as they scale and sustain their ventures.
**Purpose**
DRC Kenya is looking to explore wider entrepreneurship services that would be useful beyond formal finance access to support further business development activities. While access to formal financial services such as bank loans and participation in business training programs have supported many entrepreneurs, these services often remain insufficient for certain businesses, particularly those with high-growth potential, non-traditional models or operating in informal or fragile settings. The purpose of this consultancy is to go beyond a traditional review of financing options and instead conduct a targeted gap analysis, followed by a collaborative design process, to create new, innovative financing programs for businesses in the Kakuma context. This will provide DRC with a strong position to advocate for more relevant and effective financing strategies with partners.
**Objectives**
The consultant will be responsible for the following key objectives:
1\. **Conduct a comprehensive gap analysis:** Identify what financing and business services are available to entrepreneurs, what is not available, and most importantly, why existing options are not suitable or accessible to them. This will include an analysis of business models, affordability, and the stage and industry of businesses, with a specific focus on sectors like climate, livestock, agriculture, and small businesses.
2\. **Analyse past funding initiatives:** Conduct a stock-taking exercise to understand what happened to businesses that received funding from previous grant or challenge funds, such
as KKCF and Spark Fund. The goal is to understand the challenges they faced in continuing their business and securing further investment.
3\. **Integrate a climate focus:** Include an analysis of businesses with a positive climate impact, such as those in the clean cooking and renewable energy sectors, to understand their specific financing needs for expansion.
4\. **Facilitate a co-design session:** Organize and lead a workshop with key stakeholders, including investors, financiers, implementing partners, and refugee entrepreneurs, to present the findings and collectively design new, more suitable financing models. This will ensure the final output is an actionable, unified ecosystem model.
**Scope of Work**
The consultant will undertake a phased approach with the following specific tasks:
**● Phase 1: Gap and Needs Analysis**
○ Conduct primary data collection through surveys, focus groups discussion, and interviews with a diverse group of entrepreneurs in Kakuma, categorized by business size and sector.
○ Identify specific gaps in access to finance and business support that are not being met by formal loans or existing training programs.
○ Validate assumptions about why past funding models have not been widely effective or sustainable for businesses.
**● Phase 2: Investor and Stakeholder Mapping**
○ Map out potential investors and funders who may be interested in financing structures relevant to the Kakuma context, particularly for businesses in the identified priority sectors.
○ Identify and document which investors could be interested in supporting businesses with a climate angle.
○ Develop a tool or a strategy for connecting entrepreneurs with these potential funders.
**● Phase 3: Co-Design and Reporting**
○ Facilitate a workshop/roundtable session with a diverse group of stakeholders in Nairobi and Kakuma.
○ Lead the stakeholders in a co-design process to develop new financing models based on the findings of the gap and needs analysis.
○ Develop a final, comprehensive report that is not just a study, but an actionable roadmap. The report should include the needs analysis, an evaluation of mechanisms, and a clear implementation strategy for the newly designed financing model
**Expected Outputs**
The expected deliverables are summarized as below: **Phase**
**Expected deliverables**
**Indicative description of deliverables**
**Timelines**
Component 1: Inception
• Detailed Inception Report outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and overall approach.
• Develop an Inception report that outlines the general approach to the assignment, schedule of activities and their deliverables.
**Week 1**
Component 2: Gap and Needs Analysis
• Conduct validation sessions are based on the report submitted. • **Analysis and synthesis** of stakeholder feedback, identifying gaps and opportunities.
• A summary report of the identified gaps and needs in finance and business support
**Week 2 & 3**
Component 3: Investor and Stakeholder Mapping
**a. Mapping of Investors and funders**, including non-traditional financiers, financial and non-financial service providers, Ecosystem actors
**b.** Analyse specific investors interested in supporting interventions in **climate, livestock production, skills development, MSMEs.**
**c.** Develop strategy for connecting entrepreneurs with potential funders
• A written summary of key findings and analysis from stakeholder consultations, data analysis, and service mapping, identifying relevant themes and insights to inform the financing strategy.
• Submitted strategy for connecting entrepreneurs with potential funders
**Week 4 & 5**
Component 4: Co-Design and Reporting
Based on the findings from data collection and consultations, the consultant will conduct workshop/round table sessions with diverse stakeholders in co-designing new financing models/approaches.
Submission of actionable roadmap on new financial approaches, to be validated by the various actors.
• A professionally written, well-structured final report (max 25–30 pages excluding
**Week 6, 7 & 8**
**Duration, Timeline and Payment**
The consultancy is expected to last for 8 weeks, with final report to be submitted by the 8th week of consultancy work.
**1st Instalment 20%**
**2nd Instalment 20%**
**3rd Instalment 30%**
**Final payment 30 %**
Upon signing the contract, delivery of an agreed Implementation Plan and Inception Report.
Within the 1st week of the engagement.
Upon submission of a summary report of the identified gaps in finance and business support
Expected to take place by 3rd week of engagement
- A written summary of key findings and analysis from stakeholder consultations, data analysis, and service mapping, identifying relevant themes and insights to inform the financing strategy.
- Submitted strategy for connecting entrepreneurs with potential funders
Expected to take place by 5th week of engagement
Upon DRC approval of the final report and actionable roadmap on new financial processes
To be submitted by the 8th Week of engagement.
**Eligibility Criteria**
For this assignment, the Consultant should have extensive experience and knowledge in strengthening systems for BDS/FSP in Kenya that supports refugees and vulnerable host communities’ initiatives.
Among the desirable qualifications for a lead consultant are:
- Master’s degree, or a bachelor's degree with over five years of substantial experience in Finance, Business, Development Economics, or related field
- The consultant should have a Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience working in enterprise development, MSME financing, or inclusive financial systems.
- Proven understanding of the innovation ecosystem in particular innovative alternative financing, challenge funds and accelerators.
- Completion Certificates for similar works from recognized and reputable institutions are an added advantage and/or provide at least 3 references of similar assignments s/he has successfully undertaken in the last 3 years.
- Demonstrated experience in small business development and management, experience with small business financing, market analysis, and market research.
- Strong networking capabilities, with the ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships.
- Proven ability to demonstrate innovative thinking and previous experience working in innovative alternative financing for SMEs and start-ups.
- Experience in designing or working with challenge funds.
- Substantive knowledge of community micro-entrepreneurs and alternative financing modalities to support refugee entrepreneurs.
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity and contextual knowledge of Entrepreneurship Development as a thematic area.
- Proven experience in professional report writing, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and insightful documentation.
**Conditions**
The engagement calls for adherence to the context security guidelines. On the same breadth, DRC does not guarantee security in relation to this engagement, and it will therefore not be liable for any eventuality. Nevertheless, any relevant security updates will be shared when necessary.
- The tasks must be completed within the stipulated time frame.
- This engagement is set to begin in October 2026 with assignment spreading within a period of 2 months. The operations must be within the agreed terms of engagement.
- The engagement calls for adherence to and signing of DRC’s Code of Conduct
- The offer for this engagement should be inclusive of all associated and agreed costs.
- For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit [www.drc.dk](https://www.drc.dk/).
**Reporting lines**
Reporting will be to the Project Manager with provision of regular updates to Economic Recovery Team Leader on the progress of the project as per the agreed-upon schedule.
For the duration of the engagement, progress update is expected on a weekly and monthly basis to the Project Manager.
**Travel**
The engagement necessitates the consultant to be based or travel to Turkana County during the exercise in understanding the context, markets and establishing possible linkages. As such, the consultant is responsible for making their own arrangements for transportation, accommodation, insurance, and meals, and should include these provisions in the Financial Proposal.