National Education and Livelihoods Officer

Overview of position:

• Our clients Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration & Reconciliation (DDRR) program is a key component of their peacebuilding & stabilization portfolio that aims to increase Somalia’s resilience to destabilizing conditions & build national capacity towards sustained peace. The program aims to contribute to peace & improved security in Somalia through supporting the Federal Fovernment of Somalia’s (FGS’s) national program on the treatment & handling of disengaged combatants & youth at risk (national program). In the absence of a peace agreement & other preconditions usually required for traditional Disarmament, Demobilization & Reintegration (DDR) programming, our client has been supporting the FGS in its implementation of the national program through a four pillared approach that reframes traditional DDR in terms of Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration & Reconciliation (DDRR). This context specific & context sensitive approach has been developed & implemented alongside local partners to include the national government & regional administrations, to create viable, reliable, gender responsive, transparent & nationally owned legal & operational processes to support exit & reintegration pathways for former associates where sanctioned violent extremist groups are involved. In facilitating the reintegration of former associates within these new contexts, our client works to reduce the risk of recidivism or recruitment into criminal or violent extremist groups by addressing the drivers of conflict & building resilience at the individual & community levels.
• As part of the support provided in transition centres across three regions in Somalia (Mogadishu, Baidoa & Kismayo), beneficiaries receive basic education, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), religious counselling, civic education, business development / business skills, life skill / financial literacy & career counselling. Our client is recruiting a National Education & Livelihoods Officer to improve & support the maintenance of a comprehensive education & livelihoods program in five transition centres & Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in Somalia & assess the current gaps in programming & instructor capacity at the centres. The consultant will provide technical supervision & capacity development of teachers in basic education, civics & religious studies, business development, life skills & financial literacy at the centres & CBOs. S / he will work closely with other units & government counterparts to implement the program & report on progress. This position will be under the overall supervision of the DDRR Program Coordinator & the direct supervision of DDRR Project Officer (Women, Peace & Security). To successfully fulfil his / her duties, the selected candidate will work closely with the M&E team & other technical leads to ensure linkages & effective implementation of project activities in a manner that is gender responsive.

Role objectives:

• Provide direct supervision & technical guidance to Education & Livelihood Team Leads in Baidoa, Kismayo & Mogadishu & ensure adequate oversight of education & livelihood teams in all centres.
• In coordination with the team leads, ensure that learners case files are maintained properly & student progress reports are reviewed regularly to reflect overall training program achievements.
• Ensure teaching & learning materials are gender responsive while advocating for women’s needs & raising awareness on gender equality & women’s rights through teaching.
• Promote a culture of best professional practices in learning, teaching & assessment to ensure the development of quality & effectiveness in the curriculums.
• Build on & continue to improve existing curriculums & conduct regular review of the curriculums based on beneficiaries’ feedback while assessing relevance of content & tangible benefits of training as needed in accordance with theoretical & practical teaching.
• Identify & synthesize best practices & lessons learned on DDRR education & livelihoods & use findings to provide technical inputs into adaptation of DDRR programming.
• Facilitate mentorship & on the job capacity building of DDRR staff, government counterparts & CSO partners to ensure that project activities are implemented in alignment with education & livelihood best practices & government approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Coordinate education / livelihoods inputs to donor reports, presentations & project documents for internal & external consumption & project evaluation.
• Provide technical inputs into monitoring & evaluation to ensure accurate data collection measuring impact of the DDRR program.
• Work closely with the M&E team & other technical leads to ensure linkages & effective implementation of activities in Mogadishu, Kismayo & Baidoa.
• Develop & maintain relations with DDRR stakeholders, including government officials, UN counterparts & other key players to actively promote coordination & communication between partners with a view of pursuing DDRR objectives.
• Conduct regular visits to field locations to verify project progress & results & coordinate with the DDRR unit’s field staff, implementing partners & government focal points to ensure accountability & drive for results.
• Participate in relevant education & livelihoods coordination forums at country level, technical working group meetings, workshops, etc.
• Convene weekly & adhoc meetings with team leads & teachers to discuss key issues on teaching progress, training, & proposed changes.
• Perform any other duties assigned by supervisors.

Project reporting:

This position will work under the overall supervision of the DDRR Program Coordinator & the direct supervision of DDRR Project Officer (Women, Peace & Security).

Key competencies:

• Master’s Degree in Education, Development Studies, International Affairs or a related field from an accredited academic institution with 2 years of relevant professional experience or a Bachelor’s Degree in the above fields with 4 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in adult literacy programs & teaching adults with low literacy skills.
• Previous work experience in one or more of the following thematic areas a distinct advantage, DDRR, education P/CVE, stabilization, livelihoods.
• Previous work experience in conflict affected & / or fragile contexts.
• Experience working with various stakeholders including federal & regional governments as well as UN agencies, NGOs & donors.
• Experience working with youth & vulnerable groups.
• Experience in project & team management.
• 5 years’ experience in Africa preferably in Somalia.
• For this position, fluency in Somali & English is required (oral & written).
• Knowledge of Maay dialect is highly desirable.
• Adequate knowledge of Somalia, particularly Banadir, Jubaland & Southwest State, including socioeconomic & political context is required.
• Knowledge of UN programming.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Respects & promotes individual & cultural differences. Encourages diversity & inclusion.
• Maintain high ethical standards & acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles / rules & standards of conduct.
• Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent & committed manner & exercises careful judgment in meeting day to day challenges.
• Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected & fairly treated.
• Develops & promotes effective collaboration within & across units to achieve shared goals & optimize results.
• Produces & delivers quality results in a service oriented & timely manner. Is action oriented & committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge & innovate.
• Takes ownership for achieving the organization’s priorities & assumes responsibility for own actions & delegated work.
• Encourages & contributes to clear & open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring & motivational way.
• Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example & demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision. Assists others to realize & develop their leadership & professional potential.
• Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best & develop their potential.
• Promotes shared values & creates an atmosphere of trust & honesty.
• Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals & communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Leads with humility & shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

Team management

• This role has no team management responsibiity.

Further information

• The grade of the position is NO-B.
• This position is based in with frequent travel to field / project locations.
• Qualified female candidates are encoauged to apply for this role.