Senior Program Assistant (Durable Solutions and Urban Displacements)

Overview of position

Our client is one of the major humanitarian & development actors in Somalia. They are the lead agency for two projects Saameynta & the Danwadaag which aim at implementing durable solutions to conflict & climate induced displacements in Somalia.

The number of IDPs in Somalia has doubled to reach more than 3.8 million persons living in 2,774 sites & settlements, exacerbating Somalia’s dramatic demographic shift from a rural to a predominantly urbanized country.

Under the overall supervision of the Program Manager Durable Solution & Urban displacements & the direct supervision of the National Program Durable Solutions Officer based in Mogadishu / Baidoa, the successful candidate will support the implementation of the durable solutions interventions with engineering portfolio & all the infrastructure works in all DS locations of interventions by providing technical support to the Saameynta & Danwadaag programs in Somalia.

Role objectives

The Senior Program Assistant is expected to achieve & attend of the following roles & responsibilities:

• Support EPC management to liaise, establish & / or maintain cordial working relationships with relevant government focal points for the effective implementation of EPC activities.
• With technical guidance from the National Program Officer, assist the project management team & work with local authorities, communities & partners to facilitate that Displacement Affected Communities (DACs) can effectively participate in public affairs as full citizens with equal rights to make independent planning decisions that advance their access to services & livelihoods.
• Participate in the implementation & reporting of capacity building initiatives to strengthen DACs, local authorities & relevant stakeholders on social cohesion & social accountability.
• Contribute to the feasibility assessments, development of context appropriate community managed funds, designing of training materials as well as organizing & facilitating capacity building exercises working with relevant partners to strengthen local community fund mobilization & management.
• Support the local authorities, EPC & consortium members to organize local & international fora with donors, diaspora & private sector.
• Implement the Community Based Planning (CBP) process at field level based on our clients CBP & Matching Grant (MG) manual including but not limited to training of Core Facilitation Team (CFT), conduct area profiling, facilitating static & mobile community consultations & coordinate with key district stakeholders to document & incorporate relevant information.
• Assist the National Program Officer (Durable Solutions) & National Program Officer (Community Stabilization) with developing the Community Action Plan (CAP) book by drafting the CAP content in coordination with communities & Core Factilitation Teams (CFTs), translation from English to Somali either in house or in coordination with RMU through an identified translator, coordinating endorsement of CAPs by relevant government authorities & putting the CAP in a book format in coordination with RMU through identified Graphist & publishing vendor.
• Ensure effective & timely field implementation of matching grant activities based on the CBP & MG, in coordination with local authorities & communities including, but not limited to, awareness raising within communities & government authorities, providing support on fundraising to the communities, assisting communities on opening bank accounts & linking with online platform, support on procurement processes & implementation & monitoring of community priorities.
• Participate in information & awareness raising sessions with relevant government ministries, local authorities, communities & government authorities on CBP & MG approach.
• Contribute to the improvement of the CBP & MG process in line with our clients procedures & aligned with donor regulations through Identification of best practices & lessons learned. Findings will be shared with the field team & senior management & recommendations should be actioned upon. Revisions will be reflected in the CBP & MG manual & relevant tools.
• Identify potential target areas for implementation of CBP & MG opportunities at field level in line with priorities of communities & aligned with government stabilization plans & priorities, donor priorities, project objectives & our clients mandate.
• Assist in implementation of project / program administrative tasks, including organizing meetings, taking minutes, workshops, training, conference, etc.
• Monitor displacements in urban & peri urban areas.
• Provide training on the durable solutions to new staff when requested.
• Perform such any duties as may be assigned.

Project reporting

• This role works under the overall supervision of the Program Manager Durable Solution & Urban displacements & the direct supervision of the National Program Durable Solutions Officer based in Mogadishu / Baidoa.

Key competencies

• Experience in IDP / returnee reintegration & community driven development initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge in urbanization, durable solutions, stabilization & peacebuilding concepts.
• Previous work experience in coordinating with local & state government authorities, UN agencies & civil society organizations.
• Experience in working with government authorities (especially in Beletwyne district Hirshabelle state of Somalia) including knowledge of building bylaws & building requirements an asset.
• Experience in construction / renovation work in Somalia is an asset.
• Experience in urban development in insecure, or post conflict environments.
• Sufficient capacity to undertake the responsibilities in Somalia.
• Demonstrated experience in project cycle management.
• Proven skills and experience projects monitoring & evaluation.
• Effective communication & presentation & leadership skills.
• Ability to conduct training & impart knowledge effectively.
• Ability to produce & / or check the drawings including but not limited to site plans, architectural, structural & MEP drawings, cost estimation, BOQ & other layout plans which may be presented by prospective contractor(s).
• Information monitoring, analysis & synthesis.
• Good coordination, negotiation & advocacy skills.
• Ability to analyze data & write reports.
• For all applicants, fluency in Fluency in English & Somali (oral & written) is required.
• Respects & promotes individual & cultural differences. Encourages diversity & inclusion.
• Maintains 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.

Team management

• This role has no team management responsibility.

Further information

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.
• Educational certificate(s) for the selected candidate will be sent for verification.