Senior Program Assistant (Lower Shabelle)

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Overview of position:

• Our clients Transition & Recovery Pillar (TRP) encompasses their Somalia Community Stabilization Unit (CSU) & Disengagement, Disassociation, Reintegration & Reconciliation (DDRR) program & addresses the multifaceted drivers of instability to support the Somali govt. & communities to build peace & lay the foundations for longer term, sustainable recovery through activities that restore trust horizontally between communities & vertically between communities & govt. authorities in newly recovered & fragile areas. Within this mandate, TRP works with marginalized & at risk youth on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) & to promote social cohesion & supports the Federal Government of Somalia’s (FGS) national program for the treatment & handling of disengaged combatants in South West State & Jubaland. TRP also supports the FGS’s & Federal Member State (FMS) level stabilization strategies through the Daryeel program that works in Galmudug (GM), Hirshabelle (HS), South West State (SWS) & Jubaland (JSS).
• Our client is building on its existing stabilization programming & will be working further to support stabilization efforts in newly recovered, unstable & fragile areas in South & Central Somalia namely Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Jubaland, South West State through our client’s EU & USAID funded stabilization program, locally named Daryeel. The program harnesses the stabilization gains made by previous stabilization programs of our client (EU IcSP phase I & SSI) & aims to contribute to stabilization efforts in Somalia through creating conditions 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. In addition, CSU is preparing for 2 new projects namely USAID funded education program targeting Lower Shabelle & Lower Juba & a UNPBF funded joint our client & FAO project focusing on youth & women in Lower Shabelle.
• Under the overall supervision of the Program Officer (Community Stabilization) & under direct supervision of the National Stabilization Officer (SWS), Community Stabilization Unit (CSU) seeks to recruit a Senior Program Assistant to oversee, plan community stabilization programming in Lower Shabelle. The successful candidate will oversee field level implementation of stabilization programming in Lower Shabelle & liaison with local partners, local govt. counterparts & community members on the ground. Where needed, the incumbent will also provide support to matching grant activities. This position is based in Mogadishu & will require frequent travel across Somalia.

Role objectives:
CSU has 3 ongoing programs in Lower Shabelle (STEP, PIAP & Daryeel). The selected candidate will:

• Lead & coordinate at field level the implementation of stabilization activities in Lower Shabelle & provide analysis into context, security & political dynamics that would affect implementation workplans.
• Identify & provide technical inputs to activity level concept notes, proposals & budgets focusing on stabilization programming in Lower Shabelle.
• Conduct & lead geographic assessments in target locations of Lower Shabelle & draft assessment reports.
• Operationalize community cofunding mechanisms through the matching grant activity for target locations of Lower Shabelle by mapping local resources with communities & assisting them with resource mobilization.
• Lead in the establishment of Core Facilitation Teams (CFTs) & District Project Implementation Units (DPIU) in target locations.
• Capacitate community teams & govt. authorities on community based planning processes, technical compilation & drafting of community action plans to better respond to the community needs & improve service delivery providing a bridge to longer term development interventions through awareness raising discussions & trainings.
• Assist National Program Officer (SWS) to coordinate with RMU in ensuring that admin related tasks are carried out timely for smooth implementation of activities.
• Assist & provide inputs to M&E team, communications focal person & Community Stabilization Officer.
• Participate in community stabilization meetings regarding Lower Shabelle & provide report to the National Stabilization Officer.
• Undertake duty travels to provide technical support for activity implementation as needed.
• Maintain effective liaison & coordination with local authorities, community members, stabilization partners.
• Manage Program Monitors based in Lower Shabelle & provide them training to enhance their capacity.
• Provide technical support to selected implementing partners & service providers for activities pertaining to Lower Shabelle.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Project reporting:

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

Key competencies:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, International Relations, Development Studies, Migration Studies, Human Rights, Law, or related fields from an accredited academic institution with 5 years of relevant professional experience or School Diploma with 7 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in community stabilization programming.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the socio economic & political dynamics of Somalia, particularly Lower Shabelle, working experience in the region an advantage.
• Demonstrated knowledge & experience in project design, implementation & management.
• Previous work experience in liaising with govt. & local authorities in Lower Shabelle.
• Thorough knowledge & understanding of govt. structures & current development planning in Somalia in coordinating with local & state govt. authorities & Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s).
• Experience working on community projects in hard to reach areas.
• Prior experience in Africa is a must, preferably in Somalia.
• Fluency in English & Somali is required.
• Knowledge of other UN official language is desirable.
• In In depth knowledge of community based activities & stabilization activities.
• Knowledge of UN & bilateral donor programming.
• Working experience with women, youth, children, people with disabilities, minorities & marginalized communities.
• Working experience in development of activity based concept notes, activity proposals & activity budgets.
• Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
• Working experience in implementation of sustainable livelihood activities.
• Working experience in implementation of matching grant or other cofunding mechanisms.
• 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.