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Area  Manager (SC10) PREP

Kismayo

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Kismayo
  • Grade: Mid level - SB-5 (SC10/SC11), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Environment
    • Poverty Reduction
    • Managerial positions
    • POVERTY REDUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMME
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Somalia has been moving on the path of development, when the country faces myriad of challenges, emerging from decades of conflicts, terrorism, coupled with the natural disasters. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been supporting the governments’ efforts in effective implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP), which is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), in collaboration with the stakeholders, in Somalia. In order to effectively support the FGS’ NDP, UNDP Somalia has aligned its interventions in main thematic areas, such as (i) Poverty Reduction and Environment Protection, (ii) Democratic Governance, (iii) Rule of Law and Security, (iv) Human Development and Economics, and (v) HIV/AIDS. It supports to the governments in developing strategies and policies that translate into a number of programmes and projects, being implemented, in collaboration with the governments, private sector, civil society as well as bilateral and multilateral agencies. As a result, UNDP has been contributing to achieving the overall national goal of socioeconomic transformation for poverty reduction, economic revival and societal transfer in a socially just and gender equitable manner.

UNDP Poverty Reduction and Environment Protection (PREP) Unit is responsible for promoting inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth, economic development and jobs creation in Somalia.  Through its ongoing programmes and projects in the areas of youth employment, affordable clean energy and recovery, UNDP has been supporting Somalia for addressing the causes of poverty and continued vulnerability to climatic change. In Somalia, over 60% of population are young people and around 70% of them are unemployed or underemployed. Considering the priority needs of the total population and aligning with the NDP, UNDP/PREP, in collaboration with FAO, ILO, UN-Habitat and UNIDO, has been implementing a Federal Government of Somalia (FGS)-UN Joint Programme on Youth Employment Somalia (YES), since June 2015, in several regional states. The programme, funded by Italy, Sweden, Denmark, UN Peace Building Fund (PBF) and UNDP, aims at creating employment opportunities for young men and women in Somalia. To address the nation’s priority issue of youth unemployment, the JP YES has been working with the federal and local stakeholders, for creating short- and longer-term employment opportunities for youth and women, through value chain development, market-oriented skills development and labour-intensive public infrastructure rehabilitation. The JP YES has also been supporting another UN JP Daldhis (Build your country) in implementing some of its activities in Jubaland and South West State for establishing the state-citizen synergy and strengthening local governance. At present, JP YES has been operational in Kismayo in Jubaland and Baidoa in SWS; and is expected to be scaled up in other Federal Member States in its 2nd generation of intervention. Due to the prevailing security situation and limited capacities of the local authorities, it is more challenging to implement the activities in the Federal Member States. After almost 2 ½ years of implementation of UN JP YES, an evaluation of the Joint Programme is being commissioned and would inform the future direction of the intervention, as the ongoing programme will end in June 2018.    

UNDP/JP YES has been implementing a number of activities in Jubaland and South West State (SWS) in the areas of dry fish value chain development. Additionally, UNDP has recently signed two Responsible Party Agreements (RPA) with two Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for the implementation of a project on social and economic rehabilitation of youth at risk in Baidoa and Kishmayo. Youth skills training, job placement and business development in solar energy sector is also a planned project to be implemented by June 2018. The development of National Employment Strategy and mid-term evaluation exercises need the regional and local involvement that will be facilitated by the Area Manager. In light of this, UNDP intends to recruit a highly qualified Somali national as an Area Manager who will be based in Kismayo and will manage the programme activities in the Emerging Member States.

Under the direct supervision of Project Manager, JP YES and overall guidance of the Portfolio Manager as well as in close working relationship with other PREP team members, the Area Manager will provide day-to-day programmatic technical support in effective and efficient planning, implementation and management of the programme activities in the Federal Member States, that will provide timely delivery of results. He/she works in close collaboration with the UNDP operations and programme units, governments, private sector, civil society, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, ensuring successful implementation of the PREP/JP YES projects. The incumbent promotes a team-based leadership, client-oriented and problem-solving approach, consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

  • Ensure strategic project planning and technical advisory support on youth emploment
  • Ensure effective Project implementation, monitoring and evaluation and oversight
  • Ensure effective project financial and asset management
  • Building strategic partnership and resource mobilization
  • Facilitation of knowledge building and management

Ensure strategic project direction, planning and high standard technical support

  • Assess the socio-economic assets and needs of the populations, especially youth and women, and collect and analyze necessary information and data to be used in programme/project planning process
  • In collaboration with the Project Manager, identify areas for support and interventions within the YES programme framework as well as assist in the design and formulation of interventions.
  • Assist in reviewing and developing work plans and budget, in a participatory and results-based manner;
  • Develop Annual Work plan (AWP) and annual budget with timeframes, activities, outputs and outcomes in line with the Results and Resource Framework/LogFrame of the Project;
  • Develop the proposals in the areas of youth employment;
  • Coordinate the overall delivery of the project in an effective and efficient manner, working closely with relevant governmental authorities and other partners;
  • Participate in the consultative meetings, workshops, forums and provide technical advisory support to the key stakeholders on youth employment and poverty reduction at all levels   
  • Provide strategic advice to the regional/district committees on the planning and implementation of  project;
  • Ensure the effective application of Results-Based Management (RBM) tools in project planning, implementation and management;
  • Ensure that the project has a  Human Rights Based approach and the resources are “conflict sensitive”, promoting adherence to the Do-No-Harm principles and joint UN operating principles in Somalia, relevant to the project area;
  • Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as vulnerabilities, gender, HIV/AIDS, climate change/environment, conflicts, capacity development, peace building, human rights, and ICT into the planning, implementation, M&E and overall management of project.

Ensure effective Project implementation, monitoring and evaluation and oversight

  • Develop and implement annual project monitoring plan;
  • Organize and participates in field monitoring missions;
  • Monitor the ongoing project activities, in line with the set of indicators, targets against each output, in collaboration with the implementing partners;
  • Prepare regular reports on monitoring findings and project results/chievements;
  • Formalize any government, private institutions, academic institutions, NGOs/CBOs contractual agreements;
  • Provide technical support to the selected implementaing partners that include governments, private sector, local NGOs, for effective and efficient implementation of the project activities;
  • Prepare/facilitate periodic results-based progress reports on the ongoing and completed project activities;
  • Coordinate implementation of activities, as outlined in the project document/ work plan;
Ensure day-to-day direction and management of the components of project;
  • Review the work plan and budget on a quarterly/monthly basis as required;
  • Coordinate support services, as specified in the project document and AWP to carry out project activities (e.g. issuance of contracts and sub-contracts, procurement, arrange training and workshops, staff recruitment, etc.);
  • Identify operational, administrative and financial risks and problems in the project; and develop, propose appropriate solutions and mitigation plans to address them in a timely manner;
  • Develop periodic results- and evidence-based project progress reports, with lessons learned and best practices;
  • Contribute to strategic leadership and coordination of the project team in implementation and operation;
  • Improve/establish communication and coordination mechanisms and procedures amongst the various stakeholders;

Ensure effective and efficient project financial and asset management

  • Contribute to the development of the project/activity budget planning process;
  • Monitor the project/activity work plans, including budgets and their management;
  • Assist in the development of the procurement plan;
  • Assist in the project/activity assets inventory preparation and monitors the project assets;
  • Advise the implementing partners, including government counterparts, private sector and local NGOs, to follow the UNDP rules and regulations in procurement and recruitment;
  • Participate in internal control mechanisms for adherence to UNDP rules and regulations in contracts, assets, procurement, and recruitment.
  • Ensure project compliance with corporate rules and regulations in the field and management of procurement processes and logistical services.
  • Follow all the security related UN rules and regulations, applicable to staff’s safety and security.

Build strategic partnership and resource mobilization

  • Map out the partners and key stakeholders, including governments, private sector, civil society, bilateral and multilateral agencies;
  • Develop and implement an action plan for developing close working relationship with the partners and key stakeholders of the project;
  • Participate in the coordination meetings and forums for the planning, implementation and reviewing of project at local, district and regional levels and provide technical and advisory support to the partners and stakeholders
  • Develop a regular communication flow with the partners, project team members and other UNDP personnel;
  • Map out the availability of resources and mobilizes resources locally, during the planning stage of the project activities;
  • Ensure the efficient use of resources in project implementation.

Ensure proper facilitation of knowledge building, knowledge sharing and gender advocacy

  • Develop a learning plan and participates in the available learning/ training opportunities – online/virtual, workshops, seminars, etc., for knowledge, skills and competency building; 
  • Assist in building capacity of the partners and key stakeholders, through knowledge sharing as well as on-the-job-trainings and regular briefings on new tools and skills, related to the initiatives implemented under the project;
  • Identify and synthesize the best practices and lessons learned from the project and share with the project team members, partners and key stakeholders;
  • Participate actively in the knowledge networks, having taken into consideration of the best practices and lessons learned that are available at local, national, regional and global levels;
  • Promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the project team.
  • Act as project focal point on gender issues and advocate for the gender equality and women empowerment;
  • Ensure gender mainstreaming in planning, implementation and management of project/activities;
  • Participate in the establishment of the area office gender action plan.

Impact of Results 

The key results have an impact on the overall effectiveness of UNDP´s development results in Somalia. The efficient and timely achievement of project´s results in the Federal Member States  will strengthen UNDP’s position as a strong and reliable development partner in the regions as well as in the country as a whole. In particular, the key results will have a direct impact on the effectiveness on the design, implementation and outcome of key project activities’ results.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
  • Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  • Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treat all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Promote knowledge management in project team and supports the creation of a positive learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
  • Actively works towards building professional knowledge and development in one or more Practice Areas, acting on learning plans and applying newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  • Ability to develop, organize and coordinate periodic evaluation documents
  • Good knowledge of current development issues, particularly those pertinent to UNDP employment generation practice areas and IDPs;  ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data independently
  • Good technical skills in monitoring and evaluation, including strong understanding of the methodological and operational dimensions of the project
  • Ability to supervise teams
  • Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
  • Strong reporting and editing skills

Management and Leadership

  • Build strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
  • Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities
  • Lead teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
  • Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills
  • Demonstrate ability to work with government institutions (including labor, youth, municipality) as well as other stakeholders including UN agencies, NGOs, training institutions and the media

Required Skills and Experience

 Education:          

  • Master’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration or Development Studies;
  •  Bachelor degree in any of the above subjects, with additional 7 years’ experience will be considered, in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:       

  • Minimum of 6 years of demonstrated project management experience at the national or international level in private sector development, value chain development, employment generation, livelihoods development, agriculture, and/or natural resource management, with a special focus on youth and women employment;
  • Experience in Results-Based planning and management, including effective monitoring and evaluation, and reporting;
  • Working experience  with the governments, private sector, civil society is preferable;
  • Willingness to work with local authorities with diplomacy is desired;
  • Experience of identifying and pursuing innovative pro-poor business opportunities, including life and business skills development, is desirable;
  • Understanding of issues relating to youth unemployment, gender, and youth and women’s rights;
  • Sound knowledge of participatory and empowering approaches is desirable;
  • Ability to lead, motivate and develop the skills of others;
  • Working with the UN and or international NGO in the Federal Member States will have a distinct advantage;
  • Good computer literacy – MS office applications, web-based management information system.

Language Requirements:            

Fluency in oral and written English and Somali required

Disclaimer

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

This vacancy is now closed.
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