Job Description

CARE INTERNATIONAL - TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR FIELD OFFICER (– CONSORTIUM-GAROWE-SOMALIA

Background of Somalia NGO Consortium

The Somalia NGO Consortium is a voluntary mechanism that brings together local and international NGOs working in Somalia to encourage information sharing, cooperation, coordination and joint advocacy in order to better work together to improve the lives of Somalis affected by conflict, natural disasters, poverty.  The Consortium aims to facilitate a more coherent NGO voice and assist NGO members to channel their concerns and suggestions to appropriate decision makers in the most effective format. 

Overall objective

The purpose of the Field Officer is to represent Consortium members providing high level liaison, information and coordination services and act as the first point of contact for Garowe related issues. This is a national posting.

The Somalia NGO Consortium in Garowe aims to:-

• Become a direct channel of information for all NGO-related matters in Garowe for member NGOs and external stakeholders.
• Support NGOs through working towards an environment conducive for all stakeholder to improve the lives of Somali people, e.g. through identifying the regulations, laws and policies affecting NGOs operating in Garowe and the Puntlnad.
• Provide a safe space to facilitate inclusive discussions on specific (in particular humanitarian) issues between members and external actors.  In doing so support effective coordination of NGOs working in Garowe and the Puntlnad.
• In cooperation with the overall Consortium advocacy working group, conduct solution-oriented advocacy with local and national authorities Garowe and the Puntlnad on issues affecting operationally of NGOs and which are of key concern to NGO members working in Mogadishu.
• Provide a forum to promote practical learning and best practice or all NGO members.

Key Responsibilities:

The Field Officer is a national position and reports to the Regional Coordinator and is part of the Somalia NGO Consortium team with offices in Mogadishu, Kismayo, Baido,Galmudug, Garowe and Hargeisa . The incumbent will work with member organisations to ensure an overview of needs in Garowe and the Puntlnad; attend humanitarian co-ordination meetings; participate in the elaboration of advocacy materials on issues of key concern to member NGOs; assist in the elaboration of information relevant for NGOs including information governing the regulations, laws and policies of Somalia affecting NGOs operations in Garowe and the Puntlnad; advise on the Consortium’s response to specific issues and, as the first point of contact for members in Puntlnad , support member NGO in all relevant issues. The incumbent will lead external engagement in Puntland, Garowe on behalf of the SNC by developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including government and other Humanitarian organisations.

Lead NGO and Government consultation meetings on behalf of SNC.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

Representation/ Coordination with members and external actors

• Participate in co-ordination meetings with members and other international and local humanitarian organizations, ensuring that the Consortium is appropriately represented in Garowe and the Puntlnad. Report on each meeting attended (including compilation of agendas, preparation and dissemination of background materials, and reports and documents).
• Respond in a timely manner to all queries received regarding the Consortium’s activities, including induction for new members, or new staff of a member agency to ensure line of communications.
• Liaise with national, local authorities and institutions. 
• Participate in monthly Consortium meetings advising on Garowe and the Puntlnad specific issues.
• Regular visits to members’ offices to ensure regular consultation and buy-in from members.

Information Sharing/information management

• Facilitate information sharing between members and external stakeholders in cooperation with the with the Advisory board members in Puntland.
• Pro-actively collect information relevant to NGOs and NGO programmes in Garowe and the Puntlnad.
• Provide feedback to members following representation on behalf of the Consortium. Identify action points after each meeting and follow up with the concerned parties to ensure that action is taken.
• Provide a bi-weekly report with updates and recommendations on humanitarian needs, evolving humanitarian access and security, and key issues relating to coordination and humanitarian space in Garowe and throughout the Puntland state.
• Participate, via teleconference, and present specific issues in HQ monthly Consortium meetings.
• Provide inputs to sitreps, reports and other ad hoc documents to be sent to members.
• Upload all information into the SharePoint for reference.

Advocacy

• Under consultation with the Regional Coordinator - identify issues of priority for members and consult with members to ensure an evidence base for any advocacy activity.
• Influence overall Consortium advocacy from a Garowe and the Puntlnad point of view.
• Raise issues of key concern for humanitarian programming with all stakeholders when relevant. At all times observe the necessary distancing from political or military issues/initiatives and monitor that other stakeholders also respect a clear description of roles and responsibilities.
• When of priority, inform Consortium members of political or security related discussions if there are issues impacting on NGO programs.
• Play a representation role in participating and managing advocacy forums on behalf of SNC

Administration

• Prepare the regionally specific aspects of the Consortium Annual Workplan to include objectives, common issues, and expected output that is to be approved by the Steering Committee. Participate proactively in informing and developing Consortium services and strategy, in particular developing Consortium advocacy concerns.
• Responsible for the administration, finances and logistics for the Consortium aspects of the Garowe office, in link with the Regional Coordinator and the Finance Officer.
• Maintain financial records of all financial transactions of the Consortium including bank accounts, petty cash accounts, issuing invoices and receipt for localized memberships and forward to HQ.
• Responsible to update and maintain the e-mail addresses, mailing lists, telephone numbers and physical address of Consortium members on a semi-annual basis feeding into the main Consortium member directory.
• Prepare a 3 W’s matrix of member agencies working in Garowe and the Puntlnad on an annual basis. Integrate this into Consortium www that is hosed online. The website is managed from the Nairobi office.
• Responsible for updating and maintaining all files and data bases for the relevant activities of the Consortium, its various working committees, and task force groups
• Any other activities requested by members or the Advisory Board that will enhance the Field Officer’ ability to fulfil the Consortium’s mandate.

Reporting Arrangements:

• Reports to the Regional Coordinator - Somali NGO Consortium
• Cooperates with the INSO Field Officer in Garowe.
• Receives administrative support through CARE Garowe office.

Conditions:

• Contract:       One year with possibility of extension.
• Duty station:  The position is based at office in Garowe, with periodic travel to other Puntland regions and district

Experiences and Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor’s degree.
• At least four (4) years of practical work experience within NGOs in humanitarian work in developing countries.
• Knowledge of the Somalia NGO Consortium would be considered an added benefit.
• Good knowledge of humanitarian principles, NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct. Strong willingness to work and adapt to the NGO sector in compliance with basic humanitarian principles.
• Proven in depth and operational knowledge of Somalia with a particular focus on Garowe and the Puntland context is required.
• Excellent understanding of local governments and traditional governance structures.
•  Well-developed networks within Garowe/Puntlnad would be deemed an added benefit.
• Proven experience in development and maintenance of multi-stakeholders’ networks and proactive coordination experience
• Proven experience in high quality production of reports and analysis.
• Demonstrable experience with advocacy/lobbying (NGO or other stakeholder) within a complex humanitarian context and at senior level.
• Capacity to plan and monitor resources.
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Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent communication, coordination and representational skills. Demonstrated leadership capacity and professional experience at a senior level.
• Demonstrated ability to make clear and articulate presentations (orally and in writing) of complex information. Strong analytical skills.
• Capacity to deliver in a structured and timely manner within set deadlines.
• Demonstrated capacity to work with minimal supervision and maintain a high level of initiative and engagement.
• Demonstrated capacity to recognize when and where proactive action is required and to initiate timely and appropriate action.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and diplomacy and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with staff and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural team and to coordinate with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• He/she must be able to exercise a large degree of common sense and personal discipline. He/she must also display a high degree of diplomacy and personal integrity and at all times abide to working principles including impartiality and neutrality in all actions and work towards fulfilling the Consortium Mandate.
• The position requires the holder to be able to undertake tasking at short notice with due regard to the security environment. It requires a high degree of flexibility with respect to working hours.                     

Languages:

• English and Somali (working language): fluent with excellent writing capacities.
• Knowledge of Arabic would be of added benefit.

Skills Required

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