Social Protection Specialist

CTG Overview

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Overview of Position

• The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has been carrying out significant public financial management (PFM) reforms to improve fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability with the support of international actors. Those include among others the International Monetary Fund (IMF), providing FGS with an Extended Credit Facility subject to broad and multisectoral reform guarantees, and the World Bank (WB) that mainly supports in institutional capacity strengthening and revenue mobilization. Alongside macro-fiscal topics of reform, there remains a wide range of activities that require support by the FGS and by Federal Member States (FMS), and of particular concern to our client, relate to transparency in the budgetary formulation and reporting process, public participation and oversight of federal government and state PFM, technical capacities in MOF and line ministries to improve effective, efficient and equitable financing of socioeconomic development. To do so effectively and in line with best practices, various government bodies and local civil society groups require new resources, operational systems and technical capacities. With its substantial involvement in humanitarian and system strengthening work, and its existing level of coordination with various ministries responsible for institutional, and social development on the federal and local levels, our client is uniquely positioned to support this long reform process. First, by helping improve transparency and accountability of FGS and FMS; second, by coordinating economic and social development outcomes with long term financing needs; and finally, by supporting the authorities in building up technical and institutional capacities to be able to meet those financing needs in the future.

Role Objectives

• Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Social Policy Section Chief, and in collaboration with various actors from the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States, the Public Finance Specialist will provide technical support and assistance in moving forward and expanding our client`s Public Financial Management portfolio. Specifically, the consultant will:
• i) Support the National launch of the Open Budget Survey by the FGS,
• ii) Help kickstart our client`s work on budget transparency and accountability,
• iii) Support our client`s PFM lead in understanding the local context, particularly in relation to key players in financial management, including donors, implementing agencies and FGS and FMS authorities,
• iv) Support in constructing a PFM strategy that is applicable in the context of Somalia and aligned with our client`s Country Programme and Social Policy Strategy Note, and
• v) Provide technical support in analyzing the FGS budget and budgets of social ministries, drafting budget briefs to use along with analysis in developing internal guidance, policy and advocacy notes.

1. Support Coordination with Government on the Open Budget Survey

• Engage with MOF key decision makers and relevant stakeholders from government, international partners and civil society to organize an event in coordination with the Ministry of Finance on the Open Budget Survey results.
• Support the SP team with the preparation of the event agenda and key talking points, drafting event notes and presentations for key speakers.
• Document key takeaways from event for advocacy and technical support to build on for the budget transparency agenda.

2. Initiate our client`s work on Transparency and Accountability

• Help kickstart our client`s transparency and accountability work at FGS and FMS.
• Engage with policy makers to set the ground for productive coordination with our client on PFM transparency and accountability.
• Capacity building of civil society, media and other actors through knowledge sharing on relevant aspects of budget preparation, execution, reporting, and auditing. This will be done through discussions with relevant stakeholders from government and civil society.
• Support MOF in its reporting and data accessibility, for example through the development of a simplified Citizens’ Budget.
• Help provide capacity building to civil society and the wider general public on basic elements of public financial management to lay the foundations for public accountability in government and state spending.
• Facilitate workshops and meetings with local communities on possible transparency and public accountability systems, for example in the delivery of social services.

3. Support the Social Policy PFM Lead: in building a comprehensive picture of the Somali policy making context in FGS and FMS, particularly in relation to Public Financial Management

• Organize meetings with key actors, including FGS and FMS authorities, donors, CSOs, Accademia, International partners and local NGOs to help develop a long-term strategy for productive collaboration on PFM reforms.
• Provide analysis on policy making processes, context, level of influence and position of key actors to pinpoint possible entry points for our client’s engagement in PFM work.
• Document meeting notes and follow-up with focal points on follow-up communication and meetings, next steps and milestones of project planning and implementation.
• Prepare and disseminate to the SP team periodic updates on political, economic and social developments, as well relevant articles / notes from influential actors.

4. Support in constructing a PFM strategy that is applicable to the context of Somalia and aligned with our client`s Country Programme and Social Policy Strategy Note

• Support in developing a contextualized PFM strategy, aligned with the planned outputs of our client and the Social Policy team, using well documented information from meetings with stakeholders, knowledge of the local context, coordination with partners to specify activities that can be feasibly implemented in the short, medium and long terms.
• Draft concept notes including planned outcomes, possible outputs, and activities for the PFM strategy.
• Help organize and facilitate internal meetings and workshops with our client`s relevant sections, and with knowledgeable actors in the local policy context for brainstorming on specific policy reform possibilities, community asks, and entry points to long-term PFM reforms.
• Help draft analytical notes on macroeconomic, social wellbeing, and human development indicators and progress, in coordination with the Child Poverty and Social Protection leads to align those with possible long-term outcomes of PFM reforms.
• Document notes from brainstorming meetings and workshops.
• Develop in coordination with the PFM lead a full-fledged proposal for the PFM strategy.

Project Reporting

• Shall submit monthly progress reports on expected deliverables, with copies of field mission reports if any during the report.
• The monthly project reports will include attachments of the deliverables achieved within the periods.
• Shall also maintain weekly communication with the Social Policy team over planning and coordination.

Key Competencies

• Minimum 7 years of relevant progressive working experience at the national level in the areas of economic policy, public financial management, local development, management, social protection, or another related field.
• Knowledge and practical experience in government engagement, coordination, stakeholder cooperation and project cycle design, management, and implementation.
• Excellent theoretical and operational understanding of public financial management, specifically medium-term frameworks, budget preparation cycle, execution, review, and reporting.
• Understanding of the overall political, administrative, and institutional context of Somalia. Previous experience on engaging parliamentarians and government officials on budget and PFM reforms in Somalia is an advantage.
• Excellent computer skills (especially Microsoft office applications) and ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment.
• Ability to multitask and work under tight deadlines in a highly complex environment.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently and deliver high-quality results on time.
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders, especially government sectors.
• Good command of English and fluency of Somali Language.

Core Values:

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

Functional Competencies:

• Formulating strategies and concepts
• Analyzing
• Applying Technical Expertise
• Learning & Researching
• Planning & Organizing

Core Competencies:

• Communication
• Working with people
• Drive for results

Team Management

• This role has no management responsibility.

Further Information

• Qualified female candidates are encourage to apply.