Job Description

      SCOPE OF WORK

USAID/SOMALIA PEOPLE-CENTERED GOVERNANCE (PCG) ACTIVITY

Vacancy Post

Proposed Personnel: TBD

Position: Federal Member State (FMS) Specialist- Hirshabelle

Maximum Level of Effort: Full-time LTTA

Base of Operations: Jowhar Hirshabelle state, Somalia.

position reports to: Program Implementation Director 

1. Project Background:

USAID’s Somalia People-Centered Governance (PCG) Activity is a five-year program promoting more effective and legitimate local governance in Somalia. Through various interventions, the Activity will encourage inclusive, fair, and transparent behaviors and decisions that increase the legitimacy of District Councils (DCs). PCG brings citizens and DCs together to co-design activities that build a strong foundation for sustainable, inclusive governance processes and service improvements. 

USAID PCG will promote more legitimate and effective local governance in southern Somalia and, in doing so, provide a credible alternative to al-Shabaab rule. Interventions under Intermediate Result 1 (“DCs are fairer and more inclusive”) seek to enhance the legitimacy of the Somali state by supporting districts to better manage resources and disputes (sub-IR 1.1) and promote more inclusive decision-making processes (sub-IR 1.2). Interventions under Intermediate Result 2 (“Improved performance of DCs”) seek to improve the performance - or effectiveness - of the Somali state by supporting districts to better respond to citizen priorities (sub-IR 2.1) and become more sustainable (sub-IR 2.2).

The USAID People-Centered Governance (PCG) Activity is supporting local governments in southern Somalia to improve their effectiveness and legitimacy.  To accomplish this objective, the project implements activities aligned with two mutually interrelated and reinforcing immediate results, IR1) that District Councils (DCs) are fairer and more inclusive and IR2) that DCs improve their performance.    PCG will engage at the Federal, State and local levels and will eventually work in several districts within four states (i.e. Galmadug, Hirshabelle, Jubaland, and South West) Federal Member States of Somalia. 

2. Role’s Purpose:

The Federal Member State (FMS) Specialist – Hirshabelle - holds the primary responsibility to ensure effective coordination and implementation of programs and initiatives between the federal member state and its districts. S/he will facilitate collaboration and communication among stakeholders, including government, traditional leaders, religious leaders, private sector, and civil society. The FMS Specialist will oversee the entire program lifecycle, handle contracts, and ensure risk mitigation. Budget management and monitoring program progress against targets are also part of her/his responsibilities. Comprehensive reporting on program achievements, challenges, and lessons learned is her/his duty. Moreover, s/he contributes to the development of strategy documents aligning with PCG's broader objectives.

3. Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for day-to-day operations and supporting programmatic and project management for the Hirshabelle district team.
• Act as DAI's key relationship manager for the specific FMS, liaising with Government, civil society, and other stakeholders.
• Support project design with evidence-based steps from concept to design.
• Manage financial and progress reporting, focusing on capturing lessons learned in monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for federal member states.
• Identify project risks and recommend mitigation measures for effective implementation.
• Ensure project compliance with conflict sensitive and GEYSI guidelines (Gender Equality, Youth, and Social Inclusion).
• Oversee partners' contract and performance management from inception to close-out phase.
• Collaborate with project leadership and stakeholders to ensure adequate support and knowledge sharing.
• Ensure project initiatives complement rather than compete with other stakeholders in the target location(s).
• Work closely with the Country team to ensure fit-for-purpose operational services in the FMS.
• Liaise with the Security Manager to flag any new security concerns or potential risks in the respective FMS and ensure district team is aware of latest information regarding security situation and project guidance.  
• Contribute to value for money and risk assessments.
• Provide regular updates on project performance, ongoing activities, risk management, lessons learned, and capacity building trainings.
• Understand and adhere to DAI and USAID rules, regulations, processes, and systems for compliant project implementation.
• Uphold DAI ethics and values in all aspects of the job, operations, and team management.
• Safeguard staff and maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and unethical behavior.
• Other Deliverables as requested by the Program Implementation Director.
  
  

4. REPORTING

The FMS Specialist will report to the Program Implementation Director

Experiences and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Economics, social sciences, or a related field.

• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience.
• Previous work in Somalia, specifically on the target FMS is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of external and internal stakeholders.
• Strong track record of working on projects of similar scope, complexity, and size, preferably in the target FMS.
• Good understanding of the federal member state and the networks needed for the success of the program.
• Fluency in English and Somali is required.

1. Skills

• Strong understanding of USAID policies and procedures.
• Good communications skills, being able to communicate effectively and diplomatically with a wide range of contacts.
• Good judgment in dealing with complex and sensitive issues and ability to build relationships with multiple and diverse actors.
• Ability to navigate complex Somali networks.
• Ability to build effective, credible client relationships and networks.
• Excellent computer skills, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• High level proficiency in English and well-developed report writing skills.
• An energetic, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards and appropriate professional image.
• An extremely well-organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills
• Detail and solutions-oriented.

Skills Required

Follow us on social media