Background

The Governance Programme of UNDP Somalia currently consists of three pillars: (i) public sector capacity building and institutional development, including Rule of Law; (ii) democratic governance (constitutional dialogue and elections); and (iii) local governance/ decentralization. The Somali Institutional Development Project (SIDP) focuses on implementing the capacity building and institutional development pillar of UNDP Somalia’s governance portfolio.

The Somali Institution Development Project (SIDP) was set up in 2008 and works with governance institutions in Mogadishu, in Hargeisa, Somaliland and in Garowe, Puntland to build their capacity so that they can perform their functions more effectively. The SIDP project team operates with staff in Nairobi, Hargeisa and Garowe (Puntland). This position is a new position which is being created in Bossaso, Puntland. In 2011, the project has undergone a redesign process; support is now focused on four 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 is responsible for the management, coordination and administration of SIDP activities in Bossaso, with a focus on Public Financial Management, Transparency and Accountability. S/he will provide analytical and operational support to the implementation of the SIDP Public Financial Management pillar in Puntland.

The Programme Specialist will work under the supervision of the Project Management Specialist (SIDP) based in Garowe with matrix management to the Project Management Specialist (Rule of Law) based in Bossaso. The Programme Specialist will seek technical and professional guidance from the Public Financial Management Specialist based in Hargeisa and work closely with the other SIDP colleagues in Garowe including the Head of Office, Team Leader for Development Planning and Aid Coordination, the Project Officer and Project Assistant. The Programme Specialist should be able to develop and maintain viable working relationships with colleagues across the organization to effectively respond to clients and solve problems.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the effective implementation of project workplans by providing targeted support to the implementation of activities under the Public Financial Management Pillar, Accountability and Transparency pillar;
• Ensures effective and accurate financial resources management ;
• Ensure the creation of strategic partnerships in Bossaso;
• Ensure efficient support to tasks related to reporting, monitoring and facilitation of knowledge sharing, and representation
• Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management

1. Contribute to the effective implementation of project workplans by providing targeted support to the implementation of activities under the Public Financial Management Pillar, Accountability and Transparency pillar:

• In conjunction with partner institutions and the SIDP Project Management Specialist and Public Financial Management Specialist, assist in the development of annual workplans based on institutional needs and project priorities;
• Oversee capacity development activities with Bosasso partners, especially with key partners in Public Financial Management, and ensure that they are in line with SIDP work plan and operational guidelines
• 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 managers and partners
• Prepare, coordinate and monitor the schedules and work plans of Technical Advisors and Consultants recruited under SIDP for Bossaso and Garowe in Public Financial Management;
• 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.

2. Ensures 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 Garowe and Public Financial Management Staff based in Hargeisa and Nairobi; 
• 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 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.

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

• Represent SIDP at the field level in Bossaso, acting as the first point of contact for key partner institutions and ensuring effective communication with other SIDP staff in Garowe, Hargeisa and Nairobi;
• Developing partnerships which assist the delivery of project workplans and activities.

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

• Ensure timely reporting of SIDP activities to the SIDP Project Manager through the SIDP Team based in Garowe - 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 in Garowe, 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 Puntland.
• Any other tasks assigned by the SIDP Project Manager or the SIDP Project Management Specialist to support the overall management and supervision of SIDP project.

5. Ensures 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 pillar.
• Strong relationships with implementing partners and counterparts;
• Good communications and working relationships with SIDP teams, and across regional office
• 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.

• Effective Implementation of Project Activities under the Public Financial Management, Accountability and Transparency Pillar in Puntland;
• Strong Relationships with implementing partners and counterparts in Bossaso;
• 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

• 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

• 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 or any other related field with 5 years’ of qualifying experience, OR
  
• First level university degree in public administration or any other related field with a combination of 7 years’ qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of advance university degree.

• Masters university 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
• 7 years professional experience in the area of finance, administration and project/operations management in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization, with a first level university degree in position, at the national or international level 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 Puntland), 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

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali.
• Knowledge of Arabic language is desirable

• 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

• 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.