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 and UNDP Strategic 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 Regional Project Officer (RPO) will assist in the overall management and coordination of REFS Project Implementation activities across the Hirshabelle state. Within agreed upon delegation concerning the implementation of the work plan, the RPO is fully accountable for the delivery and the coordination of project activities and the achievement of project outputs in her / his area (Hirshablle State):
Ensure objectives of the project guiding documents and annual work plans are reached at area level:
- Ensure objectives as stipulated in AWP are met, relationships are strategically managed with sensitivity.
- Remain abreast of the Capacity Development trends and applied concepts, advising on the possible new opportunities for intervention and associated risks;
- Remain abreast of conceptual basis and technical advancements for programming, more specifically in the conceptual areas related to reconciliation, peace building and state development;
- Monitor the project work plans, project effectiveness and achievement of results and provide inputs to the Strategic Results Framework and Results Oriented Annual Report;
- Ensure the highest possible quality of delivery and ensure value for money;
- Participate in all internal and external (coordination) meetings representing the project;
- Improve/establish communication and coordination mechanisms and procedures amongst the various stakeholders;
- Manage and monitor identified project risks and update the status of these risks;
- Ensure the promotion and application of the UNDP drivers of development effectiveness (promotes national ownership and the development of national capacities);
- Foster policies and partnerships and promote gender equality for enhanced programmatic results, and other development standards as per UNDP’s corporate multi-year strategy;
- 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;
- 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;
- Advise in the identification of the target communities for activities;
- Keep the Project and Programme Manager abreast of emerging project issues.
Effective and efficient management of financial resources at the area level (Hirhsballe State):
- In close consultation with REFS project CTS and other relevant units in the UNDP, contribute to the elaboration of budgets for all activities in the programme portfolio and the continuous monitoring of project work plans;
- 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;
- Participate in internal control mechanisms for adherence to UNDP rules and regulations in contracts, assets, procurement and recruitment
- 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
Efficient procurement and logistical services are effectively supported at the area level:
- Advocate for UNDP with government counterparts, donor community, and the UN;
- Liaise with all UNDP counterparts, government authorities, UNSAS and other stakeholders regularly. Ensure project compliance with corporate human resources policies and strategies;
- Ensure project compliance with corporate rules and regulations in the field and management of procurement processes and logistical services;
- 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;
- Ensure monitoring and evaluation of the projects, including regular field visits and support to the organization of Project Board and reports on project progress and constraints; and
- Coordinate and cooperate with initiatives of other sections of the UNDP country office.
Support to resource mobilization, donor reporting and coordination 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 area office
- Actively participate in the strategy meetings, giving expert level technical guidance where and when required;
Institutional Arrangement
The RPO will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist of REFS project 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.
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.
Language(s):
- Strong written and spoken English skills and Somali language is required,
- Working knowledge of other UN language is an advantage.
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
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.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
Contract Duration: 4 Months