National Programme Officer (Community Stabilization)

Context:

IOM’s Transition and Recovery Pillar (TRP) encompasses IOM Somalia’s Community Stabilization Unit (CSU) and Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration and Reconciliation (DDRR) program and addresses the multifaceted drivers of instability to support the Somali Government and communities to build peace and lay the foundations for longer term, sustainable recovery through activities that restore trust horizontally between communities and vertically between communities and government authorities in newly recovered and fragile areas. Within this mandate, TRP works with marginalized and at-risk youth on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) and to promote social cohesion and supports the Federal Government of Somalia's (FGS) National Programme for the Treatment and Handling of Disengaged Combatants in South West State and Jubaland. TRP also supports the FGS’s and Federal Member State (FMS) -level stabilization strategies through the Daryeel program that works in Galmudug (GM), Hirshabelle (HS), South West State (SWS), and Jubaland (JSS).

Under its Community Stabilization portfolio, IOM is implementing several programs/projects across the 4 states. These include the EU/USAID Daryeel program, USAID’s Stabilization for Education Program (STEP), EU Breaking the Climate-Conflict Cycle Project in Galmudug, and the UN Peacebuilding Fund Promoting Inclusive Action in Peacebuilding. Daryeel aims to contribute to stabilization efforts in Somalia (4 FMS) through creating conditions for restoring trust among communities, and between communities and local leadership, thereby re-building the social contract between Somali citizens and state institutions and providing a bridge to longer-term development interventions. STEP aims to strengthen the government-led, community-driven expansion of access to quality education for out-of-school children and youth to build local institutions and reduce the vulnerability of young people to violent extremism in SWS and JSS. The PIAP program, jointly implemented by IOM and FAO, aims to reduce inter-communal conflict over natural resources in Marka District (Buufow and Shalanbood) through supporting young people and women from the various sub-clans to lead the development of inclusive and participatory resource management mechanism and governance systems mainly within the canal zones. Breaking the Climate-Conflict Cycle project focuses solely on GM State and is jointly implemented by four units within IOM including Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH); Migration, Environment, and Climate Change (MECC); Displacement, Tracking Matrix (DTM); and the Community Stabilization Unit. The project seeks to contribute to reducing environmentally induced displacement and conflict in Galmudug State, and support communities to sustain climate-conscious conflict mitigation strategies.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator (TRP), and under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager (Community Stabilization), Community Stabilization Unit (CSU) seeks to recruit a National Programme Officer to support the Unit in overseeing operations and programs implementation functions of all the ongoing stabilization projects (primarily STEP) in close coordination with the Programme Officers. He/she will be based in Nairobi, with frequent travel to the field.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Support the Programme Officer and the field-based Stabilization for Education (STEP) staff in the implementation of the program and ensuring the team meets target implementation deadlines;




2. Coordinate with the M&E and Communications team in reporting and communications to the donor in relation to STEP;




3. Support the management of overall operations (finance and procurement) for STEP and other ongoing stabilization projects;




4. Support in the management of the other ongoing community stabilization projects in close coordination with the Programme Manager (CS) and Programme Officers (CS) based in Mogadishu);




5. Oversee the tracking of finance and procurement CSU related matters. This requires providing oversight to ensure timely payment of vendors, timely procurements (and central team administration and weekly reporting and documentation of all programs financial reporting;




6. Supervise staff and work to build their capacity in budget management and operations;




7. Support CS management to liaise, establish and/or maintain cordial working relationships with relevant Government focal points for the effective implementation of CS activities in the Federal Member State;




8. Identify new project opportunities in line with donor and governmental priorities and IOM’s mandate and strategy and coordinate with the project management team in formulating new project proposals;




9. Coordinate preparation and timely submission of internal and external monthly and quarterly reports;




10. Provide linkages between CSU and other IOM units during the implementation of the ongoing projects and potential new proposals;




11. Coordinate research and analysis to inform the refinement of program implementation strategies;




12. Draft implementing partner or service agreement scopes of work/TORs for stabilization activities when needed;




13. Plan, organize and execute CS coordinating meetings, forums, workshops as well as represent CS in coordination meetings with Government, UN agencies and NGOs in Nairobi;




14. When needed, represent CSU in meetings in Nairobi or the field with relevant government entities and partners and ensure collaborative cooperation with all stakeholders for effective implementation of stabilization activities;




15. Provide operational guidance and support to the CS field offices in remote areas where there are no procurement and finance staff, in close coordination with RMU in Nairobi and Mogadishu and regional sub-offices;




16. Manage the submission of implementing partner financial and narrative reports;




17. Ensure timely submission of purchase requests for all activities and closely coordinate with the mission Resource Management Unit to make sure purchase requests, purchase orders and contracts are issued in a timely manner;




18. Document best practices, covering concepts, strategies and implementation approaches and support the management in streaming financial, program policies and practices;




19. Make periodic visits the field (security permitting) to assess programme administration and implementation, as well as support and capacity building of field staff in operations;




20. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

· Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, International Relations, Business Administration or related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience

· Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

· Strong knowledge of the socio-economic and political dynamics of Somalia; working experience in the region an advantage.

· Experience in the field of operations, program implementation and budget management.

· Experience in project design, implementation, and management.

· Experience in liaising with government and local authorities in Somalia.

· Experience working on community projects in hard to reach areas.

Skills

· Demonstrated proficiency and knowledge of information technology in Microsoft Office applications especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

· Thorough knowledge and understanding of Marka local context and dynamics.

· Strong skills in analysis and problem solving.

· Thorough knowledge and understanding of government structures and current development planning in Somalia in coordinating with local and state government authorities and civil society organizations.

· Strong communication skills, including verbal and written.

Languages

Fluency in English and Swahili (oral and written). Working knowledge of Somali is an advantage.

Required Competencies

Values

· Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

· Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.

· Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

· Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.

· Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

· Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.

· Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.

· Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2*

· Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.

· Empowering others and building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

· Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

Other

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment and verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.

Only candidates residing in either the country of the duty station or from a location in a neighbouring country that is within commuting distance of the duty station will be considered. In all cases, a prerequisite for taking up the position is legal residency in the country of the duty station, or in the neighbouring country located within commuting distance, and work permit, as applicable.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit CV and a cover letter indicating the Vacancy Notice Number (VN No.), Position Title and the Duty Station with three professional referees and their contacts (both email and telephone) to: recruitmentsomalia@iom.int