Senior Program Assistant (Gender & Community Engagement)

CTG overview:

• CTG staff and support humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world, providing a rapid and cost-effective service for development and humanitarian missions. With past performance in 17 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia, we have placed more than 20,000 staff all over the world since operations began in 2006.
• CTG recruits, deploys and manages the right people with the right skills to implement humanitarian and development projects, from cleaners to obstetricians, and mechanics to infection specialists, we’re skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Key to successful project delivery is the ability to mobilise at speed; CTG can source and deploy anyone, anywhere, in less than 2 weeks and have done so in 48 hours on a number of occasions.
• Through our efficient and agile HR, logistical and operational services, CTG saves multilateral organisations time and money. We handle all our clients’ HR related issues, so they are free to focus on their core services.
• Visit www.ctg.org to find out more

Overview of position:

• Since the formation of the FGS, the country has made significant progress towards restoring peace & security. However, significant destabilizing factors remain. These include, most notably, the extant presence of violent extremist group Al-Shabaab, particularly in rural areas; recurrent & unresolved clan, land & resource based conflicts, weak & nascent institutions & the internal displacement of more than 2 million individuals. Whilst the transition, recovery & development needs of Somalia, after almost 3 decades of civic conflict & violent extremism remain a long term, if not generational process, such progress will be unachievable in the absence of solid foundations for peace & security, particularly at community levels.
• Our client is building on its existing stabilization programming & will be working further to support stabilization efforts in newly recovered, unstable & fragile areas in Hirshabelle state through breaking the climate conflict cycle in Hirshabelle, Somalia, locally named “Deegaan Bile – Hirshabelle”. The program harnesses the stabilization gains made by previous stabilization programs (EU IcSP phase I) & aims to contribute to stabilization efforts in Somalia through creating conditions for environmental peacebuilding, for restoring trust among communities & between communities & local leadership, thereby rebuilding the social contract between Somali citizens & state institutions & providing a bridge to longer term development interventions.
• Within this context, our client is cognizant of the important role & untapped potential of women, youth, people with disabilities & minority & marginalized groups in both leading & contributing to peacebuilding efforts & stabilization initiatives. It is also aware that women, children & the youth will require a special focus during stabilization programming. In view of this & its effort to further women’s, youth’s, people with disabilities’ & other minority & marginalized groups’ empowerment, as well as inclusion & consideration of children through enhanced community engagement in stabilization programming, the community stabilization unit, through its stabilization portfolio will be aiming to implement stabilization activities focused on these groups in Hirshabelle state of Somalia.
• Our clielnt is therefore recruiting a Senior Program Assistant (Gender & Community Engagement), under the overall supervision of the Community Stabilization Program Manager & under the direct supervision of the Program Officer (Community Stabilization), to support activities centred around women, youth, children, people with disabilities & other minority & marginalized groups in Hirshabelle state of Somalia. The successful candidate will coordinate & monitor programmatic & administrative tasks to facilitate the successful implementation of these activities with MOIFAR, Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development & relevant administrations. The candidate will be required to work directly with communities & local govt. officials to coordinate & monitor stabilization activities in the region focused on engaging these groups & their role in the society. This position will require frequent travel primarily in Hirshabelle, primarily in Mataban district of Hiraan region (security permitting).

Role objectives:
Program coordination & implementation:

• Support the implementation of inter communal & community engagement activities to contribute to social cohesion & to establish & strengthen women’s networks, capacity & agency for environmental action in the state.
• Capacitate women & youth in target field locations with social cohesion & trust building tools to be transmitted to the wider community through non violent traditional, cultural & art based approaches.
• To work with the Community Engagement Officer & co design socio relational & community engagement activities, using culturally appropriate arts & sports based approaches to facilitate spaces for trust building & social cohesion among women & youth.
• Actively seek opportunities & contribute to planning & implementing stabilization activities focusing on women, youth, children, people with disabilities, minorities & other marginalized groups at grassroots level.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders for the women centered activities specifically Ministry of Women, Ministry of Interior, local authorities, women community leaders, female community members & other stakeholder for successful implementation of activities.
• Ensure timely coordination with our clients Somalia resource management unit including procurement of necessary materials, supplies, logistical support & payment of vendors for all activities.
• Continuously monitor progress against objectives & indicators of activity providing inputs to M&E team.
• Provide regular updates to the Program Officer (Community Stabilization) & prepare activity reports.
• Support the comms team in providing inputs to visibility & communications products in accordance with communications plan & donor compliance.
• Contribute to activity level concept notes & activity proposals.
• Support on mainstreaming inclusion equality (gender, youth, people with disabilities & other minorities) in community stabilization activities.
• Undertake duty travels to provide technical support for activity implementation as needed.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned, based on needs & the capacity of the candidate.

Project reporting:

• This role works under the overall supervision of the Community Stabilization Program Manager & under the direct supervision of the Program Officer (Community Stabilization).

Key competencies:

• Degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, International Relations or Business Administration with 4 years’ relevant experience or High School Diploma / Certificate with 6 years’ relevant experience.
• Experience in women centered & / or women related stabilization & peacebuilding activities.
• Previous work experience in coordinating with local & state govt. authorities & CSO’s.
• Experience working with Somali artists & in art based activities & projects is highly desirable.
• Working experience on community engagement activities through cultural & art based initiatives.
• Working experience with women, youth, children, people with disabilities, minorities & marginalized communities.
• Must have prior works experience in Africa preferably in Somalia.
• Fluency in English & Somali is required.
• Knowledge of other UN official language is desirable.
• In depth knowledge of the broad range of women empowerment & gender quality related subject areas.
• Demonstrated proficiency & knowledge of information technology in MS Office applications especially Excel, Word & PowerPoint.
• Knowledge & good understanding of locally acceptable cultural practices, including traditional rituals, arts & sports.
• In depth knowledge of community based & community engagement activities, stabilization & peace building concepts.
• Knowledge of UN & bilateral donor programming.
• Respects & promotes individual & cultural differences, encourages diversity & inclusion wherever possible.
• 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.
• 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 action & 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 potential.

Team management:

• This role has no team management responsibility.

Further information:

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.