Community Participation Technical Lead

Job Title: Community Participation Technical Lead

Location: Nairobi with frequent travels to Somalia

Reporting to: Country Director

Type of position: National

Grade and Salary: Somali Country Structure

Contract terms and hours: Contract- 37.5 hours per week

Background:

Saferworld is an independent international organisation working to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. We work with people affected by conflict to improve their safety and sense of security, and conduct wider research and analysis. We use this evidence and learning to improve local, national and international policies and practices that can help build lasting peace. Our priority is people – we believe in a world where everyone can lead peaceful, fulfilling lives, free from fear and insecurity. We are a notfor-profit organisation operational in 12 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Saferworld has been working to promote peace, democratisation and good governance in Somalia and Somaliland since 2004. We support civil society’s involvement, particularly women’s and youth groups, in crucial decision-making processes on peace, to identify drivers of conflict within the Somali region and to inform strategies to address them.

About the Programme

Saferworld and Asal Consulting have been selected as to implement the Participatory Public Policy (P3) and Institutional Strengthening component of the Nabadgelinta Soomaaliyaa programme.

The programme’s intended impact is to have Somalis benefit from improved security and access to justice through inclusive approaches that enjoy elite support and public confidence. Although the programme aims to achieve this impact for all Somali citizens, there is a particular emphasis on Somalis in vulnerable groups, including women, members of minority clans and internally displaced persons (IDPs). There is an assumption that if improved security and justice benefits those in vulnerable groups then there will be wider benefits to all Somalis**.**

Job purpose:

This role is responsible for overseeing and facilitating community engagement and participation in project activities in accordance with the IP1 workplan. The role plays a crucial role in bridging the gap amongst different actors and the community, ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and inclusivity. This role works with local partners, government agencies and other stakeholders in various localities as well as coordinating field activities with team members involved in the programme delivery.

Key areas of responsibility

Planning and implementation of programme activities

• Community Engagement Strategy: Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to engage and involve the community in decision-making processes.

• Oversee collaboration with, and where necessary the creation of, Community Action Forums (CAFs) and Police Advisory Committees (PACs) that carry out conflict assessments of their local contexts, identify security concerns affecting the community and work with local security actors and establish ways in which these can be addressed.
• Develop and implement a strategy to ensure implementing partners align on the work request programme objectives and measures/expectation of success.
• Provide on-the-job mentoring and training to implementing partners on programme deliveries Provide advice, guidance and recommendations to the senior management of Saferworld Somalia.
• In coordination with the local implementing partner, facilitate meetings and dialogues within communities and between communities and state authorities through the CAFs and PACs to collaboratively identify local security issues and plan response

Programme Coordination

• In coordination with Nabadgelinta partners facilitate meetings and dialogues within communities and between communities and state authorities through the CAFs and PACs to collaboratively identify local security issues and plan responses.
• Develop and execute outreach programmes and initiatives to attract and involve a diverse range of community members in project implantation
• Provide guidance, training, and support to community members to enhance their technical skills, empower them to contribute effectively, and ensure inclusivity.
• Support in address conflicts and disputes within the community, fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for open discussions and resolutions.
• Build strong relationships with community members, stakeholders, and technical teams to foster trust, collaboration, and a sense of ownership among the community.
• Serve as a liaison between technical teams and the community, advocating for community needs and concerns while effectively communicating technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Keep up-to-date with industry trends, community management best practices, and emerging technologies to ensure the community’s needs and expectations are met.
• Facilitate coordination among local level stakeholders to ensure smooth and timely implementation of activities
• Coordinate between national level and local level stakeholders to ensure implementation of activities in a timely and efficient manner
• Represent and speak on behalf of Saferworld programme to the various stakeholders, such as policy and decision-makers and other INGOs and NGOs

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning:

• Lead in monitoring of annual work plan at the field locations to ensure that programme activities are on track
• Maintain thorough progress monitoring reports, and provide quarterly financial and narrative progress reports for the programme in a timely manner
• Support the development of regular reports, including donor reports.
• Facilitate and support consultants at field level

Team Management and Leadership

• Supervise Community participation Coordinators and Informal Institution Engagement Lead.
• Works closely with consortium partner, Asal to ensure IP1 workplan is regularly reviewed and effectively implemented
• Evaluate and manage team performance, setting goals and providing regular feedback, conduct performance reviews and identify areas for improvement.
• Responsible for welcoming and integrating new employees into the team.

Key working relationships

• Internal working relationship with partner staff working with community action forums and government agencies and other stakeholders’ programme
• Internal close working relationship within various Saferworld team for information and experience and work relationships.
• Close working relations with IP1 partner Asal and other consortiums implementing the Nabadgelita project
• External working relationship with federal member state authorities, formal and informal institions involved in the Nabadgelinta project.

Scope and accountability

Decision making and limits of authority

Participating in decision based on programme planning, organising and implementations.

Financial resources

Contributes to activity budget development and review with partners

Other resources

Overseas Programme budget as delegated

People management

Supervise 4 staff and consultants when necessary

Legal, regulatory and responsibility

• Ensure compliance with country labour laws
• Adhering to Saferworld financial policies where
• Follow Saferworld security and safeguarding policies

Person specification

Knowledge, qualifications and experience

• Master’s Degree in International Relations/Security / Peace and conflict or other related field
• Have over 5 years of professional work experience in different capacities with local and international NGOs

Skills and abilities

• Good understanding of the local context
• Excellent relationship building and communication skills.
• Knowledge of Peace building and conflict resolution
• Strong planning and organising skills for event management
• Well usage of computer and internet

.

Personal qualities

• Commitment to the vision, mission and values of Saferworld
• Strong representation and relationship management abilities.
• Good presentation and facilitation skills.
• Team Work and team building

Other requirements

This role requires frequent travel to the field