Project Officer - REFS (SC10)

For a safe and stable Somalia to emerge, Somalia needs strong, affordable and competent government. After decades of war in Somalia the remaining state structures are yet to be re-established. State functions will need to continue to be redesigned to allow regulated service delivery while the society is going through an intense process of reconciliation. It is thus essential to continue to support the development of institutional arrangements and organizations in parallel. In the civil service, a variety of measures are needed to ensure that individuals are deployed within the organizations who can operate the machinery and be held accountable.

UNDP / UNSOM programmes is part of the overall United Nations support to Somali state building, helping to contribute to the prospects for a negotiated, reconciled and stable Federal State system, one that is supported by all Somalia. This project supports the key strategic priorities of the Somalia NDP, the Political Roadmap, the NPS and the MAF with those issues central to building an effective and efficient federal administrative system. The project also supports MoP to continue to play its vital role in aid coordination and effectiveness through building and consolidating SDRF-NDP linkages. The Project builds on UNDP’s strong partnership with the FGS and the FMS and its experience to date in supporting state formation and administration, where UNDP has been the lead implementing partner on behalf of the international community. Both the FGS and FMS have now requested UNDP and UNSOM support to embed and develop the key state building processes with a focus on core government functions.

UNDP Project Results

The Reconciliation and Federalism Support Project (2018-2021) (hereon referred to as REFS) has been developed by UNDP in response to, and aligned with, the highest priorities of the National Development Plan (NDP), particularly as set out in Chapters II and VI. The REFS Project aims to support the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Federal State Administrations in achieving the Policy Priorities (PP) of the NDP. The REFS contributes to the goal of Inclusive Politics “Achieve a stable and peaceful federal Somalia through inclusive political processes and effective decentralization”.  The project also contributes to NDP(PP) specifically PP11 “Develop a solid federal political and executive framework that empowers the federal member states to deliver services and economic opportunities to the citizens of Somalia in a secure environment”; The current NDP agenda for achieving inclusive politics comprises ‘democratization, finalizing the Constitution, and decentralization’; implementing the federation process. The NDP policy seeks to reach political agreement on the principles that underlie the distribution of roles and responsibilities over the three tiers of government and to translate these political agreements into executive (management) arrangements throughout the government structures. Chapter VI of the NDP is the public-sector management chapter, with a clear focus on the core of government functionalities, including development of the civil service, administrative reforms, human resource management, and improved government coordination mechanisms. The project concurrently supports the priorities identified in the NDP Pillar Working Groups and the recently drafted ‘Political Roadmap for Inclusive Politics’.

The project supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG16) recognizing the centrality of governance-informed development to ensure that societies’ aspirations for higher access and quality of public services will be achieved through core government functions that are effective, responsive and inclusive.

The expected project outcome is “The Federal administration is better managed, more organised, more capable, more accountable and responsive for the Somali people”. In addition, it is expected that there will improved coherence in the international community’s support for developing the federal system and public administration of Somalia.

The purpose of this project is to support the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Federal Member States (FMS) to implement their chosen method of State Administration and Federalism process through need based political settlement, boundary delimitation and reconciliation process. The project will consolidate State formation efforts to build and harmonise the emerging federal system in the FGS and the FMS, ensuring alignment with the objectives of the New Partnership for Somalia (NPS) and the NDP

The presence of the State on the territory of Somalia is being re-established in the context of a new three-tiered federal system which includes the FGS, the FMS and district level administration. Consolidating State building process can be achieved, in part through translating constitutional provisions for allocation of powers and resources into appropriate administrative arrangements (as currently set out in Article 50 (below); support to reconciling interest groups in disputes concerning administrative management of the state; support to clarifying administrative responsibilities and the development of appropriate primary and secondary legislation; and  ensuring that the State has the operational capability to do its job. The machinery of all government administration in Somalia therefore needs to have ‘demonstrated’ positive influence on the quality of life of all the citizens.

The specific areas where financial, human resources and logistical support will be provided are set out in three outputs:

Output 1. Reconciliation in support of Administrative Arrangements in the Federal context (regional outreach and inclusiveness, boundaries)

Output 2. Output 2 Federalism is Organised, Consistent and Coherent in all Federal Member States (organisation, roles, responsibilities, powers) with the FGS

Output 3. Federal administration is enabled to improve effectiveness and efficiency (operational support, small scale works to support infrastructure, transport, essential equipment)

The Project will also cement effective harmonization with other governance and public administration related programmes, specifically those of partner UN organisations working in the political and service delivery fields, the IMF, AfDB, and World Bank and other development partners such as the EU, DFID (PREMIS) and USAID(SSG) supporting elements of public administration at all levels of the administrative hierarchy. Where appropriate links are made to stabilisation programmes.

The National Project Officer (NPO) will assist in the overall management and coordination of REFS Project Implementation activities across Federal Member States and Federal Government Institutions in Mogadishu (MOIFA, BFC and OPM). Within agreed upon delegation concerning the implementation of the work plan, the NPO is fully accountable for the delivery and the coordination of project activities and the achievement of project outputs in her / his area.

The NPO will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the CTA of REFS project in Mogadishu. The NPO will work in close collaboration with the UNDP Programme Oversight and Quality Assurance Unit (POQA) in the country office and project team, UNDP counterparts and other UN agencies staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

Of specific importance is to ensure excellent networking and cooperation arrangements with the national partners and the NPO is expected to represent the REFS Project in official settings, including coordination meetings.

Summary of key functions (at area  level):

• Effective Project Management to improve the delivery and coordination of the REFS Project:
• Effective and efficient Financial and Administrative management of the project:
• Effective capacity and knowledge building and management are ensured at the area level.
• Resource mobilization and efficient procurement and logistical services are effectively supported at the area level.
• Specific support to project activities is provided at the area level.

Effective Project Management to improve the delivery and coordination of the REFS Project at area level focusing on the following tasks:

• Responsible for the follow-up of the annual work plans and ensuring their timely implementation;
• Coordinates all tasks between UNDP and Federal Member States (Jubbaland, South West, Galmudug and Hirshabelle) and Federal Government of Somalia institutions (MOIFA, BFC and OPM); leads the support to Project team (counterparts’ project consultants) and works closely with Project Officers and Consultants at area level for the implementation of the project planned activities;
• Provides leadership and an overall strategic vision with a view to the building of FGS Civil Servants’ capacities, for strategic planning to support the overarching objectives of the AWP;
• Remain abreast of the solid relationships with key national partners supported by the project;
• Ensures systematic and effective analysis, monitoring and evaluation, including the preparation and participation in Project Board and/or other related meetings;
• Monitor and remain abreast of the project risks initially identified, submit new risks to the project Manager for consideration, provide advice on mitigation strategies if required and update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log;
• Support and provide inputs to the preparations of all required project reports (monthly, quarterly, annual, and other specific requested reports);
• Support Project Monitoring and Evaluation/ any TPM exercises
• Coordinate and follow up with deferent departments within UNDP Somalia to guarantee the synergy of all administrative processes relevant to the project;
• Coordinate and follow up with local, regional, international, and other UN agencies relevant to the project’s activities.
• Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as gender, HIV/AIDS, peace building, human rights and ICT, into the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of programme/projects;
• Ensure that all programming is founded on Rights Based approach and that project resources are used in a balanced way and are “conflict sensitive”, ensures adherence to the Do-No-Harm principle and any joint UN operating principles in Somalia relevant to the programme area;
• Any other tasks/assignment relevant to subject Project Management. 

Effective and efficient Financial and Administrative management of the project:

• In close consultation with the CTA and Operations Specialist of the project and other relevant units of the UNDP, contribute to the elaboration of budgets for all activities in the Project portfolio and the continuous monitoring of project work plans, recruitments of National Consultants, Procurement of goods and services for national counterparts and ensures TOTs/handover/ documentations are signed upon delivery and performs ad-hoc assets verifications exercises
• Ensure integrity of financial and administrative operations in the project through oversight of financial and budgetary aspects of the projects;
• Ensure strict and consistent application of UNDP rules and regulations and the implementation of clear accountability mechanisms throughout the project portfolio;
• Participates in internal control mechanisms for adherence to UNDP rules and regulations in contracts, assets, procurement and recruitment.
• Mobilize personnel, goods and services, training and initiate activities, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications and facilitating all contractors’ work;
• Coordinate the recruitment and selection of the project consultants;
• Monitor and synergize the performance of the project’s national consultants;
• Assist the implementing partner in fulfilling the responsibilities of the project and budget monitoring, using best practices;

Effective knowledge building and management are ensured at the area level focusing on the following tasks:

• Assess the capacity development needs and priorities of the project counterparts’ staff and consultants, and Develop and support the implementation of a capacity building plan to address those needs.
• Act as a recourse person for building the capacity of the designated relevant counterpart team members on project management, monitoring and evaluation with effective training in line with UNDP procedures and regulations.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing activities within UNDP’s REFS project staff and between project and other relevant counterparts.
• Monitor the counterparts’ staff/consultants’ capacity building plans’ development, implementation and reporting.
• Ensure the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the project at Output level
• Actively participates in UNDP knowledge networks and takes advantage of best practices and lessons learned that are available in the region and globally for the benefit of the project and the national counterparts.

Resource mobilization and efficient project management, procurement and logistical services are effectively supported at the area level.

• Contribute to the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the Project for organizational sharing and learning;
• Actively participate in the knowledge networks and take advantage of best practices and lessons learned that are available at  the zonal, national, regional and global levels;
• Support capacity-building of national counterparts;  
• Promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the Country Office.

Specific support to project management activities is provided at the area level focusing on the following tasks:

• Remain abreast of conceptual basis and technical advancements for programming, more specifically in the conceptual areas related to reconciliation, peace building and state development;
• Actively participate in the strategy meetings, giving expert level technical guidance where and when required;
• Advise in the identification of the target communities for activities;
• Support the international and national consultants (where applicable) with technical and logistical guidance;
• Oversee agreements with implementing partners and counterparts to ensure objectives are met;
• Support the development of agreements for the government and NGO counterparts in forms of LoAs / MCGAs / Responsible Party Agreements; and
• Monitor activities of partners closely, feeding challenges back to Project management.

Impact of Results

The key results will have an impact on the overall success of the specific areas of cooperation under the UNDP country programme. In particular, the key results will have a direct impact on the effectiveness on the design, implementation and outcome of key project activities results under the specific Programme portfolio.

 Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning
• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
• Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery
• Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change
• Strong IT skills and knowledge of Atlas
• Excellent knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting
• Excellent knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Education    

•   Master’s degree preferably in peace, conflict and security, economics, business or public administration, political or social science, law, international studies, development studies or any other related field.
•  
• A first level university degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 4 years’ relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience     

• 2 years relevant experience combined with an advanced university degree, or 4 years  relevant experience with a first level university degree at the national or international level;
• Proven track record of successfully assuming responsibilities of similar size and complexity;
• Technical expertise in community security, social cohesion, peace and/or conflict and/or other directly related fields.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
• Experience in  inter-agency coordination of development or humanitarian assistance, and working with the United Nations, is desirable

Language Requirements       

• Strong written and spoken English skills and Somali language is required

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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