Somalia: Programme Management Officer

Apr 3, 2023 | United Nations
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The UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs.

The imperative to Leave No One Behind is at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In complex contexts affected by conflicts, climate change, disease outbreaks and fragile state structures, this is particularly challenging as these factors are driving large humanitarian needs, set back development gains and lead thousands or millions of people to be furthest behind or at risk of being left behind. In such contexts, the UN system is not only required to meet the immediate humanitarian needs, but also to reduce risk and vulnerability that lie at the heart of development and peacebuilding support. The reinvigorated UN Resident Coordinator (RC) system, which is at the centre of the UN development system reform, is uniquely positioned to leverage all key stakeholders across the humanitarian, development, peace and human rights pillars to work towards collective priorities in a coherent and mutually reinforcing manner. Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) specialists play a critical role in supporting RCs/Humanitarian Coordinators (HCs) and UN Country Teams (UNCTs)/Humanitarian Country Teams (HCTs) to achieve this goal and work closely with and complement RC Office core staff.

Somalia has achieved significant progress on its path to peace, stability and sustainable development since the emergence of a new federal government in 2012. However, Al-Shabaab, groups affiliated with the Islamic State and simmering inter-communal conflicts continue to threaten security and long-term stability. Somalia also has some of the worst social development indicators in the world. Inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene practices contribute to health and nutrition challenges, in spite of improvements in the past decade. The quality of basic social services suffers due to human and financial resource constraints, while physical and financial barriers limit access. Overall, Somalia remains one of the most complex and protracted humanitarian crises in the world. Decades of conflict, recurrent climate shocks, disease outbreaks and increasing poverty have devastated the people of Somalia. The compounding impacts of these shocks continue to erode coping strategies and undermine resilience against future crises.

Implementing the HDP nexus is a priority in Somalia. Collective nexus priorities have been incorporated across both the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-25 and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). The 2022 HRP outlines linkages to development programmes and strategies for every cluster, prioritizing increased coordination with development actors for: (i) durable solutions for displaced persons; (ii) water management and climate change adaptation to address recurrent floods and droughts; and (iii) the complementarity of social safety nets and humanitarian cash response to provide the most vulnerable with predictable and shock-responsive assistance. A high-level Triple Nexus Steering Committee is being established in Somalia alongside the Somalia Aid Architecture to advance nexus issues that require additional support. It will oversee the work of short-term nexus taskforces and undertake light horizon scanning for new and practical nexus opportunities. The three nexus taskforces currently in place are: (1) Water Management – Droughts and Floods; (2) Durable Solutions for internal displacement; and (3) Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption. The taskforces include membership from government (both Federal and Member State levels), the UN, the World Bank, NGOs and donor countries, and are focused on area-based planning, coordination and solutions. This position is located in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Incumbent will be responsible of the following duties:

ADVOCACY: FACILITATE COLLABORATION AMONG THE UN, NATIONAL ACTORS (BOTH GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT), INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND MAJOR DONORS ON MANAGING RISKS, ENHANCING RESILIENCE AND REDUCING HUMANITARIAN NEEDS, INCLUDING BY STRENGTHENING COMMUNICATION:

• Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships and build capacity of local and national actors to support a common understanding of HDP integrated programming approaches, with focus on multi-dimensional risk management, including prevention and resilience;
• Advise the RC/HC on opportunities and areas for expanded partnerships and collaboration within and outside the UN system, including with national and local partners;
• Support the localization of nexus efforts, including through area-based approaches and in line with the Somalia NGO Consortium Localization Framework;
• Prepare background and advocacy documents on the nexus for the RC/HC or UNCT/HCT members to enhance support from the aid community to the country;
• Support the organization of bilateral, national, and international advocacy efforts and missions as they relate to the nexus;
• Through enhanced collaboration, strengthen and expand existing priority joint programmes with a nexus approach.
• Contribute actively to the UNDCO community of practice and compile lessons learned and best practices on the HDP nexus to inform global level policy and tools development. Regularly liaise with the HDP nexus advisor at UNDCO to keep headquarters abreast of developments in country;

PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING: SUPPORT UNCT AND HCT EFFORTS TO UNDERTAKE JOINED-UP PLANNING PROCESSES ACROSS THE HUMANITARIAN, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE SPECTRUM TO REDUCE NEEDS, RISKS AND VULNERABILITIES IN A MORE COMPLEMENTARY AND COHERENT MANNER AND ENSURE THAT UN PROGRAMMING AND IMPLEMENTATION MODALITIES ARE CONTEXT-SPECIFIC:

• Support the operationalization of the Triple Nexus Steering Committee, following the upcoming elections and the formation of a new government.
• Identify opportunities, and support existing nexus mechanisms, to strengthen the UN’s role across the humanitarian, development and peace pillars;
• Jointly with the UNCT, HCT and UN Mission align strategic planning and programming frameworks to ensure greater complementarity and coherence between humanitarian, development and peacebuilding efforts to achieve collective outcomes and reduce needs, risks and vulnerabilities;
• Advise the Triple Nexus Steering Committee, UNCT and HCT on addressing the three central nexus themes in Somalia including durable solutions, water management and anti-corruption, ensuring the work of the taskforces is coordinated with one another and integrated into relevant UN planning frameworks and programming;
• Support and enhance the monitoring of existing Collective Outcomes, as outlined in the UN Cooperation Framework, to track progress and advise on a way forward for areas that are falling short of expectations;
• Provide technical support to the nexus taskforces, inter-agency Programme Management Team (PMT) and Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG) to effectively implement nexus coordination/collaboration approaches in their programming, in line with an HDP analysis of needs, risks and vulnerabilities, to reduce and mitigate risks and address the drivers of needs;
• Coordinate joint analysis and planning efforts with OCHA and the ICCG to ensure coherent and complementary approaches between humanitarian and development partners;
• Support a mapping of programmatic needs and financing requirements, and facilitate identification of concrete programmatic approaches across the HDP spectrum among all relevant stakeholders;
• Review and monitor HRP alignment with relevant resilience and durable solutions frameworks, providing technical advice on approaches to reduce humanitarian needs, risks and vulnerabilities in the medium to longer term whilst building synergies and complementarities with development, early recovery and resilience initiatives;
• Support the identification of operational complementarities between planned activities in the HRP, UN Cooperation Framework, National Durable Solutions Strategy and the HCT-identified ‘touchpoints’ which provide entry points for strengthened and effective joined-up HDP planning and programming across different clusters / sectors;
• Strengthen reporting on the humanitarian and development contribution to the HDP nexus through analysis of the OCHA-managed monitoring matrix, outlining dedicated contributions to collective outcomes.

ANALYSIS: ASSIST IN DEVELOPING A SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONTEXT, INCLUDING NEEDS, RISKS AND VULNERABILITIES, AS WELL AS THEIR UNDERLYING/ROOT CAUSES:

• Promote and contribute to consolidating humanitarian, development and peacebuilding data and information among stakeholders , including the articulation of appropriate tools and mechanisms in consultation with the existing nexus taskforces;
• Identify opportunities and advocate for joint analysis among the Triple Nexus Steering Committee, UNCT, HCT and other relevant actors, and explore the feasibility of joint or coordinated multi-stakeholder HDP needs assessments/evaluations and analysis;
• Facilitate and lead an analysis that goes beyond aggregating humanitarian, development and peacebuilding data and information, and generate a shared understanding of needs, risks and vulnerabilities, their root causes, as well as the capacities available or needed to address them;
• Monitor multi-dimensional socio-economic and political trends, as well as humanitarian/conflict developments and recommend strategic responses to the RC and UNCT.
• Explore, initiate, develop and/or strengthen partnerships with academia, think-tanks, researchers at the national, regional and international level.

LEADERSHIP AND COORDINATION: SUPPORT THE RC/HC TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND ACCOUNTABLE LEADERSHIP AND COORDINATION TOWARDS ENHANCED COHERENCE BETWEEN HUMANITARIAN AND DEVELOPMENT ACTION:

• Advise the RC/HC on existing or proposed coordination mechanisms and priorities for operationalization at national, sub-national and local levels that could foster synergies across humanitarian, development and peacebuilding operations;
• Strengthen coordination and collaboration with a broader range of stakeholders relevant to bridging humanitarian, development and peace actions and to achieve collective outcomes e.g. Multilateral Development Banks, private sector, local actors, civil society and donors.
  
  

1. FINANCING: SUPPORT THE RC/HC AND UNCT/HCT TO PROMOTE COHERENT FINANCING/FUNDING STRATEGIES SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE HDP SPECTRUM:

• In collaboration with the Partnerships and Development Finance Officer, advise the RC/HC on opportunities for a nexus financing architecture that promotes the principles of predictability, flexibility and use of multi-year modalities;
• In collaboration with the Partnerships and Development Finance Officer, advise the RC/HC and UNCT/HCT on collaboration opportunities related to a nexus approach (both bilateral and multilateral), such as potential new partnerships and mechanisms to support development-related initiatives which reduce risks and vulnerabilities – including by funding and financing collective outcomes.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other relevant duties as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of HDP nexus and sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Knowledge of UN rules, policies, procedures and practices, as well as the programming mechanisms of the UN and its partners, particularly in crisis and post-conflict situations, as well as a functional understanding of the international development architecture. Ability to conduct in-depth studies on HDP nexus-related issues and formulate clear and practical recommendations. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in development studies, social sciences, public policy, or related area, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in positions of increasing responsibility working with a variety of humanitarian, peacebuilding and development actors in developing recovery and peacebuilding plans or strategies, and humanitarian coordination including in fragile countries (field experience), is required.

Experience and knowledge of the HRP cycle and the UN Cooperation Framework process is required, as well as the programming mechanisms of the UN and its partners.

Specific knowledge of and/or experience in multi-stakeholder coordination and planning mechanisms (e.g. UNCT, HCT, UN Mission, government planning, etc.) and of strategic planning theory and practice, is required.

In-depth knowledge of the complex relationship between humanitarian assistance, development issues and peace and prevention, including experience with conceptual and strategic analysis and formulating clear and practical recommendations, is required,.

A proven track record of integrating gender perspectives and ensuring equal participation of women and men in all areas of work, and accountability to affected populations, is desirable.

Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Note: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of' equals a rating of "confident in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

THIS IS A PROJECT POST. Appointment against this post is open for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension subject to legislative body funding availability. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 September 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

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