Programme Officer - JPLG-PMU

Contract

This is a SC-11 contract. This kind of contract is known as Service Board / Service Contract. It is normally only for nationals. More about SC-11 contracts.

Background

The UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery in Somalia (UN JPLG) is a five-year joint programme comprising of ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-HABITAT and UNICEF. The Programme’s overall goal is “creating an enabling environment for improved service delivery and greater stability, through improved legal, policy and system frameworks – building the knowledge of those working in and with local governments.” JPLG commenced in April 2008 and has now entered its third phase (2018-2023). It expanded geographically with average annual work-plans and budgets of USD 25 - 32M / year. JPLG works with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Governments of Puntland, Somaliland, South West, Jubbaland, Hirshabelle, Galmudug, local governments, communities and non-state actors.

The Programme Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager (SPM) with support to the program specialist. He/she will also work in close collaboration with programme managers, and programme staff from the participating UN Agencies, Government officials as well as other relevant stakeholders to improve partner understanding of the programme and ensure information is well presented and accurate.

The Programme Officer will analyze political, social and economic trends with particular attention to gender issues and coordinate formulation of JPLG annual work plans, monitoring and evaluation of programme activities and provide advisory services. He/she also manages partnerships with national counterparts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure increased understanding of senior government officials (Ministers and DGs) of the UN JPLG’s programme;

• Facilitate and manage formal programme interactions with government bodies – annual work planning, policy discussions, etc;
• Provide support and advice to programme partners (UN agencies and Donors) in government interactions;
• Provide input into field and other technical missions as required as participate in field assessment missions;
• Ensure that Somali/land government partners actively reach out to donors for support;
• Establish and maintain collaborative bilateral relationships and linkages with Government, JPLG UN agencies and other relevant stakeholders.

Coordination and political liaison

• Represent the programme in workshops, meeting, and conferences relevant to the work of the programme as assigned by the Senior Programme Manager;
• Organize and facilitate stakeholder meetings (including review and steering committees) and ensure appropriate follow up of action plans by all concerned;
• Follow and analyze relevant social and political developments in Somalia and Somaliland;
• Be updated on key political events and relevant programmes such as the constitution, elections and rule of law;
• Thorough gender sensitive analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to the programme and other policy documents;
• Coordinate key programme strategies and results and ensure they are in line with the programme document and other strategic processes;
• Provide regular written and verbal socio-political updates of relevant events to the programme team and other interested parties;
• Recommend suitable actions required to respond to changing contexts.

Provide advice and guidance to the UN’s programme management team.

• Provision of advisory services and recommendations to the JPLG partners and facilitation of knowledge building and management;
• Provide input into planning and developing of innovative initiatives for the programme.
• Ensure that work plans are realistic to various Somali contexts;
• Identify areas of support, interventions and risk management within the Programme Management Unit (PMU);
• Assess programme impact, effectiveness and environment, including making suggestions for timely readjustment to the portfolio.

Ensure that internal reporting and communications to government partners are supportive of the programme.

• Participate in the organization of information sessions with target government audiences such on specific topics to increase awareness of the work of UN JPLG;
• Manage a database of government counterparts / elders / religious leaders and other stakeholders relevant for the programme;
• Work with the Senior Programme Manager in the drafting of Somali press releases and media advisories marking key programme events and milestones;
• Manage media events and maintain close working relations with media houses to improve relationship between UN JPLG and local media;
• Contribute content for the UN JPLG website through human interest stories (news items, features) and achievements in local governance by government;
• Maintain a programme mail list for information pieces and a data base of Somalia media outlets.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrate/safeguard ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Act as a team player and facilitate team work;
• Facilitate and encourage open communication in the team, communicate effectively;
• Create synergies through self-control;
• Manage conflict;
• Learn and share knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
• Promote learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promote knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• Actively work towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, act on learning plan and apply 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;
• Ability to draft high quality progress reports and background notes;
• Excellent communication skills in Somali and English and solid experience to advocate conduct workshops and facilitate discussions with senior governmental officials, UN Agencies and donors;
• Excellent knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting;
• Excellent knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Politics, Communication, Social Sciences, International Relations or any related field with 7 years’ experience.
• A first-level university degree in Public Administration, Politics, Communication, Social Sciences, International Relations or any related field, with 9 years of relevant experience.

• Specialized certification in programme management is desirable but not a requirement.

  Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Minimum relevant experience of 7 years with a Masters degree or 9 years with a Bachelor’s degree.

• Fluency in written and oral English and Somali.
• Experience in the usage of computers, office packages and handling of web-based management systems.
• Proven work experience in management, politics, administration, law, representation, communications is a requirement.
• Experience in leading and managing diverse teams.
• Experience in report writing and presentation.
• Experience in resource mobilization
• Experience in programme planning (work plans) and monitoring.
• Experience in government relations and networking

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali.