Background

The Government of Kenya is implementing the Shirika Plan to promote refugee inclusion, socio-economic integration, and the transition from humanitarian-led service delivery to integrated government systems. The Plan supports Kenya's commitments under the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and the 2023 Global Refugee Forum (GRF), with Kakuma Municipality expected to play a key role in delivering inclusive services, strengthening local development, and coordinating stakeholders.

The Refugee Inclusion Accelerator (RISE) Programme, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ, supports governments and local institutions to advance refugee inclusion through technical assistance, innovation, learning, and partnerships. To support Kakuma Municipality, RISE seeks to recruit a GCR Advisor to strengthen institutional capacity, stakeholder coordination, and evidence-based planning for refugee inclusion and integrated local development.

Objective

Strengthen Kakuma Municipality's capacity to advance refugee inclusion and support the transition to inclusive, government-led service delivery and local development in line with the Shirika Plan.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical advice to Kakuma Municipality on refugee inclusion, institutional readiness, and transition planning.
  
• Support alignment of municipal plans with the Shirika Plan, KISEDP, and relevant national and county policies.
  
• Support development and review of local strategies, action plans, and implementation roadmaps in collaboration with UN-Habitat and the World Bank.
  
• Strengthen coordination among County Government, DRS, UNHCR, development partners, humanitarian agencies, the private sector, and refugee representatives.
  
• Coordinate assessments, mapping exercises, and studies to generate evidence for planning and decision-making.
  
• Identify institutional capacity gaps and provide technical support to strengthen local governance systems.
  
• Support preparation of concept notes, investment cases, and partnership proposals.
  
• Promote participation of refugee-led organizations, community groups, women, youth, and host communities in local planning and consultation processes.
  
• Identify opportunities for RISE Innovation Labs and support implementation and scaling of innovative solutions.
  
• Document and share lessons learned with national and global GCR Advisor networks.
  
• Contribute to GIZ Kenya's forced displacement portfolio through technical expertise, local representation, and partnership development.
  

Required Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in Development Studies, Public Policy, Governance, Economics, Social Sciences, Refugee Studies, or a related field.
  
• Minimum seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in governance, refugee response, development cooperation, public sector reform, or local development.
  
• Demonstrated experience working with government institutions and multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms.
  
• Strong understanding of refugee inclusion, displacement, the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus, and refugee policy frameworks.
  
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  
• Experience in Kenya's refugee-hosting contexts is highly desirable.
  

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Swahili is required.
  
• Knowledge of Turkana or other languages commonly spoken in Kakuma is an added advantage.
  

Assignment Details

Duty Station: Kakuma Municipality, Turkana County, Kenya.

The Advisor will be embedded within Kakuma Municipality, working closely with the Municipality, Turkana County Government, DRS, UNHCR, development and humanitarian partners, and refugee and host communities.

Reporting: Joint technical oversight by Kakuma Municipality Management and the RISE Programme.

Duration: Seven (7) months.

Vacancy Reference Number: GIZ/FDM/03/07/2026

Equal Employment Opportunity

GIZ Kenya is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all and do not tolerate discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, disability, marital status, or any other protected status.

Ethics

GIZ is committed to safeguarding the safety, dignity, and well-being of staff, partners, community members, and programme participants. Sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, child abuse, and all forms of misconduct are strictly prohibited. Staff are expected to uphold high ethical standards, comply with local laws, and complete mandatory ethics training upon engagement.

Data Confidentiality

Candidate applications will be retained for six (6) months in accordance with GIZ's data protection policy and deleted thereafter.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.