Background

UNDP Somalia comprises two main clusters: (a) Governance and Rule of Law Programme; and (b) Poverty Reduction and Environment Protection Programme. The Governance and Rule of Law Programme of UNDP Somalia responds to all four outcome areas outlined in the new country programme: capacity-building for peace and human security, strengthened governance and rule of law institutions, systems, practices and services, increased livelihood opportunities and improved natural resources management, and gender equality. Project areas currently include local governance, institution building, access to justice, police and community safety. The Somali Institutional Development Project (SIDP) focuses on implementing the capacity building and institutional development pillar of UNDP Somalia’s governance and rule of law portfolio.

The Somali Institution Development Project (SIDP) was set up in 2008 and works with governance institutions in Mogadishu, in Puntland and in Somaliland to build their capacity so that they can perform their functions more effectively. The SIDP project team operates with staff in Nairobi, Hargeisa (Somaliland) and Garowe (Puntland). In 2011, the project underwent a redesign process which resulted in support being focused on four key pillars:

1. Public Financial Management, Transparency and Accountability;
2. Development Planning and Aid Coordination;
3. Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform; and
4. Implementing the good governance tasks which assist a political transition in Somalia.

The Programme Specialist provides analytical and operational support to SIDP activities in Somaliland under the Public Financial Management, Accountability and Transparency and Development Planning and Aid Coordination pillars. S/he reports to the Public Financial Management Technical Specialist based in Hargeisa and will work in close collaboration with the Development Planning and Aid Coordination Team Leader based in Garowe and the Hargeisa based Programme Specialist working on Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform. The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the Operations office-Hargeisa, Governance Programme and SIDP project staff in the Country office, UNDP counterparts and other UN agencies staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery. The SIDP Programme Specialist will develop and maintain viable working relationships with colleagues across the organization to effectively respond to clients and solve problems.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

1. Ensure the effective implementation of project work plans, providing targeted support to the implementation of activities under that Development Planning and Aid Coordination Pillar and the Public Financial Management, Transparency and Accountability Pillar;
2. Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management;
3. Ensure the creation of strategic partnerships;
4. Ensure efficient support to tasks related to advocacy, reporting, monitoring and facilitation of knowledge sharing, and representation;
5. Ensure provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

Ensures the effective implementation of project workplans, providing targeted support to the implementation of activities under that Development Planning and Aid Coordination Pillar and the Public Financial Management, Transparency and Accountability Pillar:

• In conjunction with partner institutions and the Public Financial Management Specialist and the Team Leader and Technical Specialist Development Planning and Aid Coordination, assist in the development of annual workplans based on institutional needs and project priorities;
• Monitor progress of the implementation of project activities in the workplans and advise on timely corrective actions to ensure optimal delivery;
• Monitor the effectiveness and impacts of the project engagements through regular consultations with government counterparts, project staff and partners;
• Prepare, coordinate and monitor the schedules and work plans of Technical Advisors and Consultants recruited under SIDP in the Development Planning and Aid Coordination Pillar and the Public Financial Management, Transparency and Accountability Pillar;
• Ensure full compliance of administrative activities with UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies;
• Update all partner institutions on any changes of UNDP regulations which may impact on their implementation or reporting of project –supported activities.

Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Prepare or provide significant input into the preparation of Draft Letters of Agreement, work plans, procurement plans and budgets in consultation with SIDP staff in Hargeisa;
• Advise counterparts and assist in managing Letters of Agreement (LOA’s);
• Review financial reports submitted by counterparts to ensure the transparent and accountable use of funds provided in the framework of LOAs;
• Compile and provide regular updates to the SIDP Project Manager on project expenditures and assets management;
• Report on progress, lessons learned and advise on the way forward in the management of SIDP’s financial resources.

Ensure the creation of strategic partnerships in focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Maintain excellent relationships with key partner institutions and/ or government counterparts; 
• Developing partnerships which assist the delivery of project workplans and activities;
• Establish linkages with local/ international organizations working in the capacity building of local institutions.

Ensure efficient support to tasks related to advocacy, reporting, monitoring and facilitation of knowledge sharing, and representation focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Contribute to the timely reporting of SIDP activities to the SIDP Project Manager - provide weekly meeting; notes/progress reports highlighting key issues, and contribute to monthly progress reports, quarterly reports, and final reports as needed;
• Hold regular briefings and share reports and documentation with the SIDP Team, the Head of Sub-Office and relevant stakeholders;
• Collate best practice and experiences and integrate them into project implementation, and promote information sharing between among UN agencies and between UN Agencies, partners and government counterparts;
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to all project implementation partners; contribute to the evaluation of partnership agreements and implementation of LoAs;
• Participate as a member of project team in conducting studies, assessment and evaluation in Somaliland;
• Any other tasks assigned by the SIDP Project Manager or the Public Financial Management Technical Specialist to support the overall management and supervision of SIDP project.

Ensure provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Effective implementation of project activities under the Public Financial Management and Development Planning pillar;
• Strong relationships with implementing partners and counterparts;
• Good communication and working relationships within SIDP trams and across regional offices;
• Efficient and accurate financial reporting;
• Accurate and timely monitoring and evaluation;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency, and effectiveness of the project operations as it relates to the use of corporate resources in the following areas:

• Effective implementation of project activities under the Public Sector and Parliamentary Reform pillar;
• Strong relationships with implementing partners and counterparts;
• Good communications and working relationships within SIDP teams, and across regional offices;
• Efficient and accurate financial reporting;
• Accurate and timely monitoring and evaluation.

Competencies

• Demonstrate integrity by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Display cultural, gender, religious, racial, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treat all people fairly without favoritism;
• Organizational awareness;
• Working in teams;
• Communicating information and ideas;
• Self-management and emotional intelligence;
• Conflict management / negotiating and resolving disagreements;
• Knowledge sharing / continuous learning.

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, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Understanding of the current economic, social and political dynamics of Somalia (and especially Somaliland) is desirable.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to conduct results-based management and reporting;
• Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration.

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and results, 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;
• Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Excellent partnership management skills.

Required Skills and Experience

• Masters Degree or equivalent in public administration, business, economics or financial management or related field with 5 years of experience in public administration or financial management;
• A first level university degree with a combination of relevant academic qualifications and 7 years’ experience in public administration or financial management may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Master degree with minimum of 5 years’ cumulative professional experience in the area of finance, administration and project /operations management in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization, preferably in a multi-cultural setting; Or
• First level university degree with 7 years of experience in public administration or financial management is required
• Thorough knowledge of governance and public administration issues is required;
• In-depth knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programmes in crisis and post-crisis situations, and/or experience in Somalia (especially Somaliland), is highly desirable;
• Experience with ATLAS is desirable;
• Hands-on experience with capacity development, organizational development and advisory work
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems;
• Work experience in UN system or another International Organization is highly desirable

Language Requirements:            

• Fluency in English and Somali (written and spoken) is required;
• Knowledge of Arabic is desirable

Other Requirements:

• Applicants are requested to upload a copy of their latest updated and signed P11 Form instead of a CV which can be downloaded from this website: http://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc
• This position is only open to nationals of Somalia

Terms of Service:

This is a non-staff contract under the Service Contract modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under a Service Contract serve in their individual capacity and not as representative of a government institutions, corporate body or other authority external to UNDP. The incumbent shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN common system or the government and are therefore not entitled to any diplomatic privileges or any other special status or conditions.