The Reconciliation and Federalism Support Project (REFS) is designed to support the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Federal Member States (FMS) to implement their chosen method of State Administration and Federalism process through need-based political settlement, boundary delimitation and multipronged reconciliation processes. The project is aimed to consolidate State-formation efforts towards building and harmonizing the emerging federal system in the FGS and the FMSs, ensuring alignment with the objectives of the NDP CDP 2021-25, UNSDCF ans UNDP Startgeic Plan (2018-21). More importantly, the Project is aimed to support the different levels of government to establish requisite administrative machinery geared towards the improved service delivery to the Somali people.
To achieve above-mentioned objectives, the REFS is engaging and facilitating the relevant line ministries and departments of both Federal and Federal Member State governments, civil society and think thanks in developing and operationalizing appropriate programmatic interventions, institutional and regulatory mechanisms, technical tools, and executive instruments to effectively translate the political/policy decisions/directions on federalism and reconciliation into demonstrable and functional governance framework(s). The specific areas where the project will provide technical assistance, financial, human resources and logistical support will be provided are set out in three outputs:
- Output 1: Reconciliation mechanisms established in support of Administrative Arrangements in the Federal context (regional outreach and inclusiveness, boundaries).
- Output 2: Federalism is Organized, Consistent and Coherent in all Federal Member States (organization, roles, responsibilities, powers) with the FGS
- Output 3: Federal administration is enabled to improve effectiveness and efficiency (operational support, small scale works to support infrastructure, transport, essential equipment).
The Project also strives to cement effective harmonization with other public administration related programmes, specifically those of partner UN organizations working in the political and service delivery fields, the IMF, AfDB, and World Bank and other development partners supporting public administration at all levels of the administrative hierarchy.
The National Project Officer (NPO) will assist in the overall management and coordination of REFS Project Implementation activities across Federal Member States and Federal Government Institutions in Mogadishu (MOIFAR, IBFC and OPM). Within agreed upon delegation concerning the implementation of the work plan, the NPO is fully accountable for the delivery and the coordination of project activities and the achievement of project outputs in her / his area:
1. Effective Project Management to improve the delivery and coordination of the REFS Project:
- Responsible for the follow-up of the annual work plans and ensuring their timely implementation.
- Coordinates all tasks between UNDP and Federal Member States (Jubbaland, South West, Galmudug and Hirshabelle) and Federal Government of Somalia institutions (MOIFAR, IBFC and OPM); leads the support to Project team (counterparts’ project consultants) and works closely with Project Officers and Consultants at area level for the implementation of the project planned activities;
- Provides leadership and an overall strategic vision with a view to the building of FGS Civil Servants’ capacities, for strategic planning to support the overarching objectives of the AWP.
- Remain abreast of the solid relationships with key national partners supported by the project.
- Ensures systematic and effective analysis, monitoring and evaluation, including the preparation and participation in Project Board and/or other related meetings.
- Monitor and remain abreast of the project risks initially identified, submit new risks to the project Manager for consideration, provide advice on mitigation strategies if required and update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log.
- Support and provide inputs to the preparations of all required project reports (monthly, quarterly, annual, and other specific requested reports).
- Support Project Monitoring and Evaluation/ any TPM exercises
- Coordinate and follow up with deferent departments within UNDP Somalia to guarantee the synergy of all administrative processes relevant to the project.
- Coordinate and follow up with local, regional, international, and other UN agencies relevant to the project’s activities.
- Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as gender, HIV/AIDS, peace building, human rights, and ICT, into the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of Programme/projects; and
- Ensure that all programming is founded on Rights Based approach and that project resources are used in a balanced way and are “conflict sensitive”, ensures adherence to the Do-No-Harm principle and any joint UN operating principles in Somalia relevant to the Programme area.
Effective and efficient Financial and Administrative management of the project
- In close consultation with the CTS and Operations Specialist of the project and other relevant units of the UNDP, contribute to the elaboration of budgets for all activities in the Project portfolio and the continuous monitoring of project work plans, recruitments of National Consultants, Procurement of goods and services for national counterparts and ensures TOTs/handover/ documentations are signed upon delivery and performs ad-hoc assets verifications exercises;
- Ensure integrity of financial and administrative operations in the project through oversight of financial and budgetary aspects of the projects.
- Ensure strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations and the implementation of clear accountability mechanisms throughout the project portfolio.
- Mobilize personnel, goods and services, training, and initiate activities, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications and facilitating all contractors’ work.
- Coordinate the recruitment and selection of the project consultants.
- Monitor and synergize the performance of the project’s national consultants; and
- Assist the implementing partner in fulfilling the responsibilities of the project and budget monitoring, using best practices.
Effective capacity and knowledge building and management are ensured at the area level:
- Assess the capacity development needs and priorities of the project counterparts’ staff and consultants and Develop and support the implementation of a capacity building plan to address those needs.
- Act as a recourse person for building the capacity of the designated relevant counterpart team members on project management, monitoring and evaluation with effective training in line with UNDP procedures and regulations.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing activities within UNDP’s REFS project staff and between project and other relevant counterparts.
- Monitor the counterparts’ staff/consultants’ capacity building plans’ development, implementation, and reporting.
- Ensure the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the project at Output level; and
- Actively participates in UNDP knowledge networks and takes advantage of best practices and lessons learned that are available in the region and globally for the benefit of the project and the national counterparts.
Resource mobilization and efficient procurement and logistical services are effectively supported at the area level:
- Contribute to the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the Project for organizational sharing and learning.
- Actively participate in the knowledge networks and take advantage of best practices and lessons learned that are available at the zonal, national, regional and global levels;
- Support capacity-building of national counterparts;
- Promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the Country Office
Specific support to project activities is provided at the area level:
- Remain abreast of conceptual basis and technical advancements for programming, more specifically in the conceptual areas related to reconciliation, peace building and state development;
- Actively participate in the strategy meetings, giving expert level technical guidance where and when required;
- Support the international and national consultants (where applicable) with technical and logistical guidance;
- Oversee agreements with implementing partners and counterparts to ensure objectives are met;
- Support the development of agreements for the government and NGO counterparts in forms of LoAs / MCGAs / Responsible Party Agreements; and
- Monitor activities of partners closely, feeding challenges back to Project management.
Institutional Arrangement.
The NPO will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist of REFS project in Mogadishu and will work in close collaboration with the UNDP Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance Unit (POQA) in the country office and project team, UNDP counterparts and other UN agencies staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.
Core Competencies:
- Innovation : Ability to make new and useful ideas of work - Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them;
- Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow : Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers;
- People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction, Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others.
- Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade, and transform; Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others;
- Delivery - Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement : Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions.
Technical/Functional Competencies:
- Building Strategic Partnership : Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise;
- Development and Coordination Effectiveness : Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise;
- Job Knowledge & Expertise : Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise;
- Teamwork : Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise;
- Client Orientation : Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise.
Education:
- Master’s degree preferably in peace, conflict and security, economics, business or public administration, political or social science, law, international studies, development studies or any other related field
- A first level university degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 4 years relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience
- 2 years relevant experience combined with an advanced university degree or 4 years relevant experience with a first level university degree at the national/international level
- Proven track record of successfully assuming responsibilities of similar size and complexity
- Technical expertise in community security, social cohesion, peace and/or conflict and/or other directly related fields
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
- Experience in inter-agency coordination of development or humanitarian assistance, and working with the United Nations, is desirable.
Languages
- Strong written and spoken English skills
- Somali language is required.
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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Contract Duration: 4 months