Somalia: National Project Manager

Feb 20, 2021 | UNDP
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Somalia is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change stemming from its social, economic, and political conditions, as well as its physical characteristics.  The negative effects of climate change are already being felt across the country and are expected to get worse in the future.  Therefore, it is imperative that Somalia takes concerted action to address climate change through an iterative, coordinated process of planning, implementation, and monitoring.  The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has therefore committed to establishing a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to guide the identification and implementation of actions that will reduce vulnerability to climate change by increasing resilience and adaptive capacity, and to facilitate the incorporation of climate change adaptation into existing and in-development national, sectoral, and subnational policy and planning processes.

Gaps and barriers relating to climate change adaptation planning are associated with political processes, institutional structures, policy planning and implementation, human and financial resources, and data, information, and knowledge management.   Since 2012, Somalia has taken important initiatives to adopt policies, regulations and institutional structures that are essential in state building process. Those linked to climate actions, include, National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA), Initial Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) Report to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), National Climate Change Policy, National Environment Policy, draft Environment Act and Initial National Communication (INC) to UNFCCC. At the institutional level, Directorate of Environment and Climate Change (DOECC) in the Office of the Prime Minister is fully functional and plays central role of taking forward environment and climate agenda in coordination with federal, federal member states and international organisations.

To build on the recent achievements, Somalia has accessed Green Climate Fund (GCF) through United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to undertake NAP process over a period of 3 years. This is from Readiness Funding Window of GCF to Support Strengthening of National Adaptation Planning (NAPSP) for the Federal Republic of Somalia. NAPSP will address the barriers in three general thematic areas.   Addressing the first set of barriers contribute to a strengthening institutional coordination and capacity for adaptation planning and implementation at the federal level. Addressing the second set of barriers are related to enhancing technical, institutional, and managerial capacity for adaptation planning at the federal member states level.  Addressing the third set of barriers contribute to mainstream climate change adaptation consideration in investment planning.

NAPSP is aligned with the priorities of 9th National Development Plan (NDP9) that considers negative impacts of climate change as the major challenge to keep up with development trajectory for the country. NAPSP will contribute directly to two imperatives laid out in NDP9, namely, “Better Management of Somalia’s Environment and Natural Resources” and “Building the Resilience of Households, Communities and Government”. Responding to NDP9, NAPSP also contributes towards the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Country Programme of UNDP.  

With above backdrop, and within the provisions of the approved project document, a full-time national Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for the day-to-day management of NAPSP. NPM will be housed in the DOECC, Office of the Prime Minister. The NPM will provide technical and operational support and will play a critical role in the implementation of the project. The PM will ensure proper coordination among the national and sub-national institutions and closely work with the government, UN agencies, development partners and other stakeholders for timely achievement of project objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Functions:

  • Effective representation and strategic leadership, overall management and advisory support to the NAPSP
  • Efficient implementation of the NAPSP activities in close collaboration with the relevant institutions
  • Effective supervision, monitoring and evaluation support for NAPSP
  • Effective partnership building, resource mobilization and communications for the NAPSP
  • Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing

1. Ensure effective representation and strategic leadership, overall management and advisory support on NAPSP

  • Manage the implementation of the NAPSP and ensures that the NAPSP remains relevant and is in line with various elements of the approved Project Document including the implementation strategies and coordination arrangements set out in the Project Document.
  • Provide quality advice and technical inputs to both the DOECC and UNDP on the vision and overall strategic direction of the NAPSP;
  • Establish, in collaboration with DOECC, UNDP and other partners, systems for planning, implementation, and monitoring in line with the provisions of the Project Document and decisions of the Project Board.
  • Support delivery of the project outcomes, sub-outcomes and activities within the procedural requirements of the Government, UNDP and GCF;
  • Represent in fora with DOECC, UNDP and the Project Board as required.
  • Provide oversight and strategic guidance of the NAPSP, specifically with respect to issues of alignment with strategic priorities of the NDP9, NDC, SDGs, UNDP Country Programme, UN Cooperation Framework with overall technical and institutional coherence;
  • Supervise and manages a team of professional and administrative staff mobilized using NAPSP resources.

2. Provide efficient implementation and co-ordination of the NAPSP activities among the government institutions, UNDP and other relevant stakeholders

  • With support from the DOECC, UNDP and other partners, coordination, development and timely preparation of detailed work plans and budgets for the Project Board, Government and GCF/UNDP;
  • Ensure effective implementation of the NAPSP in accordance with the procedures, monitoring and reporting requirements of the Government, UNDP and GCF;
  • Provide strategic policy and technical inputs, develop support mechanisms for strengthening Government ownership, technical leadership and coordination of the NAPSP, with a view to ensuring the long-term sustainability of activities.
  • Devise appropriate strategies and approaches to ensure optimum use of available resources thereby enhancing the impact of activities.
  • Maintain transparent and co-operative relations between key implementation partners, Government counterparts, UNDP and other national and international partners with an active stake in Climate Change Adaptation Planning in context of Somalia through regular consultations, meetings and effective coordination.

3. Provides effective supervision, monitoring and evaluation support

  • Facilitate the achievement of “results” by timely monitoring of the progress and ensure regular monitoring, quarterly and bi-annual reviews of work plans and reporting;
  • Coordinate the production, timely submission to DOECC and UNDP and dissemination of progress reports and consolidated financial reports;
  • Develop and periodically review the project M & E plan;
  • Report on risks and risks management measures.
  • Assume the role of secretariat of the Project Board, work closely with the co-Chairs of the Project Board in preparing the agenda and inputs for Board meetings, assume responsibility for follow-up actions, support the Project Board actively in its strategic role and decision making;
  • Oversee the implementation of the NAPSP Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and coordinate (independent) evaluations of the NAPSP in accordance UNDP/GCF guidelines.

4. Ensure effective partnership building, resource mobilization and communications for the NAPSP

  • In collaboration with DOECC and UNDP provide technical support for the development of relevant advocacy and policy documents.
  • Coordinate development of bankable projects, establishment of climate fund and financing plan with respect to implementation of priority actions identified through NAPSP;
  • Coordinate and ensures linkages and synergies with other initiatives, particularly with regard to climate change adaptation and mitigation within the scope of NDP9 and updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) report.
  • Consult with external partners including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) engaged in similar complementary activities to enhance coordination and partnership among stakeholders working in the area.
  • Take active advocacy role in approaching donors, in consultation with the DOECC and UNDP;
  • Promote synergies with other relevant projects supported by the UN and other development partners.
  • Facilitate Government, UNDP, GCF missions and media relations, as appropriate.

5. Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Capture best practices and lessons learned from the NAPSP process to share with DOECC, UNDP, GCF as well as external partners.
  • Develop briefs on achievements and document lessons learned;
  • Perform other tasks as assigned by the DOECC, UNDP and Project Board;
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks at national, regional and global level with the guidance of DOECC and UNDP.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Innovation

  • Ability to make new and useful ideas work: Analyzes complex technical materials (including data) and makes concise, relevant recommendations

Leadership

  • Ability to persuade others to follow: Proactively identifies new opportunities and challenges

People Management

  • Ability to improve performance and satisfaction: Appropriately involves team in different stages of work and decision-making

Communication

  • Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform: Understands, explains and shares information on assigned tasks with accuracy and clarity

Delivery

  • Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement: Meets goals and timelines for team deliverables

Technical/Functional:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

  • Execute & Learn: Execute & Learn: Perform defined tasks

Results-Based Programme

  • Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Building Strategic Partnerships

  • Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

  • Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Resource Mobilization

  • Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in environmental sciences, climate change, natural resources management, development planning, economics, or related field
  • A first level university degree environmental sciences, climate change, natural resources management, development planning, economics, or related field with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience   

  • Minimum relevant experience of 2 years with master's degree or 4 years with a bachelor's degree in project management and development, including the co-ordination of complex multi-sector projects, preferably in the natural resources management.
  • At least 2 years’ experience working in developing countries, preferably in Africa
  • Experience in post-conflict and/or fragile states.
  • Proven ability to deliver results in complex and challenging environments, and to translate strategies and good practices into practical and feasible solutions
  • Advanced skills in the usage of computer software packages and web-based management systems
  • Work experience in Somalia will be of advantage

Language Requirements

  • Fluency in written and spoken English language
  • Fluency in written and spoken Somali language knowledge of other UN language desirable

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

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