Programme Specialist

UNDP Banadir, South Central Somalia Post Date : 11-02-2025

Apply Before : 18-02-2025

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP : we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a 'leave no one behind' approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

As Somalia's federal and state institutions emerge from institutional fragility and progress towards a fully-fledged federation, local governments serve as the primary interface between the state and its citizens.

The Joint Programme on Strengthening Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (Dowlad-Kaab Programme) aims to strengthen local governments to effectively respond to the needs and rights of all citizens. By creating an enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable governance systems at the district level, the programme seeks to enhance basic social service delivery, state legitimacy, and trust-building.

Funded by the UN Somalia Joint Fund (SJF), Dowlaad-Kaab Programme is managed and implemented jointly with three UN agencies; UNDP, UN HABITAT, and UNICEF, in close collaboration with sector ministries at federal and state levels led by Ministry of Interior Federal Affairs and Reconciliation (MoIFAR).

The programme plans to cover all Federal Member States (FMSs) and Mogadishu Municipality by enhancing local governments' legitimacy, functionality, and delivery of quality services. At this stage, the programme will focus on four selected districts at FMS level.

During the implementation, Dowlaad-Kaab Programme is expected to transform from a traditional development funding into a catalyst for capacity development program, unlocking development financing that enables local governments to mobilize resources for sustainable and inclusive public service delivery. The Dowlaad-Kaab Programme commenced in July 2024, centers on community needs, and aspires for collaborative, participatory development and lasting change at the local level.

Position Purpose

The International Programme Specialist shall work under the overall supervision of the UNDP / ERID portfolio manager, who will closely coordinate the staff supervision and performance assessment with UN Habitat and UNICEF portfolio managers whose agencies jointly fund this position, to coordinate engagement with other key stakeholders on the day-to-day planning and implementation of all activities approved in the project's annual work plans.

The International Programme Specialist shall take lead in coordinating the implementation of programme plan and the development of annual workplans and annual budgets in coordination with portfolio managers and project managers in the three UN agencies in a joint fashion.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure strategic direction and management of the Dowlatabad Programme to ensure effective implementation and achievement.
• Facilitate the day-to-day programme implementation and ensure achievement of targets as outlined in the programme work plan.
• Perform oversight roles for programme compliance against the relevant government and UN Development Group guidelines for UN Joint Programmes and individual agencies regulations for project management.
• Organize and oversee community engagement events under the programme.
• Ensure ongoing knowledge-sharing and publicity for the project and its related activities.
• Ensure effective monitoring of programme performance and the preparation of high-quality and results-oriented reports.
• Ensure effective planning, budgeting, and execution of the Dowlatabad programme through the following tasks :
• Jointly with programme UN participating agencies and government partners, coach the preparation of programme annual work plans and budgets based on the budget allocation and guidance from the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) / Board.
• Organize programme review and evaluation and liaise with programme implementation partners.
• Develop monthly work plan to guide the activities for each respective month per each implementing partner and ensure synergies, complementarity and cooperation amongst the UN participating agencies.
• Conduct regular monitoring to assess progress in line with the annual work plan.
• Facilitate timely funds disbursement to the UN participating agencies.
• Organize and lead programme meetings, ensuring proper documentation of meetings and maintain proper records of the agreed actions and decisions.
• Facilitate budget utilization and prepare and submit financial reports to the Somalia Joint Fund, and donors as required, from inputs from UNDP, UN Habitat, UNICEF.
• Organize, report, and follow up on quarterly and annual reports aligned with SJF reporting requirements.
• Create and nurture strategic partnerships and support the implementation of Dowlaad-Kaab Programme resource mobilization.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships between UN programme implementation agencies and relevant public and development partners such donors, government agencies at FGS and FMS level, district officials in selected districts, relevant community-based organizations, private sector actors etc. who are the principal counterparts for the programme.
• Liaise with other local governance actors to avoid duplication of efforts and make a meaningful positive contribution.
• Identify opportunities for mobilizing resources for the Dowlad-Kaab programme and the multi-stakeholder process and prepare substantive briefs and concept notes on possible areas of cooperation.
• Maintain closer relations with donors and advance local governance agenda forward.
• Facilitate knowledge building and management for and from the programme implementation.
• Identify best practices and lessons learnt from the project and other initiatives.
• Contribute to knowledge networks and participate in knowledge sharing with other relevant programmes within the Somalia Joint Fund portfolio and UNDP, UN Habitat and UNICEF country programmes to ensure synergies and complementarities with ongoing initiatives.
• Facilitate generating of knowledge products such as best practices and lessons learnt for knowledge sharing; which will inform operationalization of the platform beyond the programme's life span.
• Ensure effective stakeholder coordination and management.
• Liaise with the designated officials from the implementing partner, donors, government counterparts and ensure that activities are implemented according to the agreed workplan.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relations with key stakeholders including outsourced service providers, beneficiaries, government, private sector and other development actors.
• Coordinate and supervise the implementation of programme outcomes and outputs to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost as outlined in the programme document.
• Ensure up-to-date information and provide advice to teams of UN implementing agencies on emerging issues in relation to changes in stakeholder relationships / structures.
• Support UNDP, UNICEF and UN-Habitat in maintaining positive relations with all stakeholders and provide steadfast assistance in resolving matters of differences.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Core Competencies :

Required Skills and Experience

Education :

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, Local Development, International Development, Political Science, or related fields is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the fields of study stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience :

Minimum of 7 (seven) years (with master's degree) or 9 (nine) years with (bachelor's degree) of relevant experience in local governance and decentralization, local development and governance is required. Previous field experience in fragile countries like Somalia is required. Experience in project management, programme / project coordination and monitoring, preferably in the context of UN Joint Programmes is desired. Demonstrated advanced knowledge of managing large teams using online work collaboratively ITC systems such as MS Teams is required. Experience working with high-level stakeholders in both the public and private sectors is desired. At least 5 years of experience in working with and engaging in local communities is desired. Extensive experience working on local governance decentralization, service delivery, and local development is an asset. Experience in coordination within an inter-agency context and other actors is an asset. Demonstrated understanding of local governance in fragile contexts like the Federal Republic of Somalia is an asset. Proven experience in resource mobilization is an advantage.

Language :

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable. Knowledge of Somali Language will be an asset.

Disclaimer

UNDP participates in the Scheme for the disclosure of safeguarding-related misconduct in recruitment processes within the humanitarian and development sector (Misconduct Disclosure Scheme).

In line with this Scheme, UNDP will contact previous employers of job applicants to request information about any investigations or findings of misconduct concerning allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and / or sexual harassment (sexual misconduct) against the applicant, during or after their employment.

By submitting a job application, the applicant confirms to have understood and consented to UNDP contacting the applicant's prior employers, during UNDP's recruitment process, to request any such information on sexual misconduct.

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters.

Note : UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination.

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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