Somalia: Project Specialist - Youth and Climate Security (Somalia nationals)

Aug 3, 2023 | United Nations Development Programme
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The climate crises in Somalia are forcing people from their homes, threatening widespread hunger and unemployment, and exacerbating conflict over scarce resources. With deteriorating livelihoods and fewer ways to make a living in the rural areas, migration to towns and cities has swelled Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps and slum settlements, where people live in crowded and unsanitary conditions. The lack of livelihood opportunities pushes the population, particularly the youth into the hands of non-state armed actors who take advantage of the situation by offering income opportunities. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the climate-security symbiosis in Somalia and will be constrained in their actions to combat climate change by structural barriers that limit their access to and control over resources, including finance and decision-making processes in public and private spheres and at all levels. As such, climate change may not only fuel conflict but also increase support for violent extremist groups as a secondary effect.

UNDP Somalia and the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) have signed an agreement to build the capacity of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Federal Member States (FMS) with an overarching focus on promoting resilience of the water-stressed, ecologically-fragile, and disaster vulnerable communities in the country. The project promotes an integrated approach and addresses capacity gaps and national priorities for water, environment, and disaster risk management. It unleashes the potential of their synergies into a coherent and more integrated programming framework. The project commenced in 2020 and has been in implementation involving as many as 16 ministries/authorities both in the federal and state levels. 

In 2022, UNDP in collaboration with Sida has successfully launched Somalia Youth Climate Platform (SYCP) and the  The existing agreement with Sida under the WED project (Project ID: 00122656) has been amended to include additional support for the SYCP over the period of next two months. Within the scope of the agreed concept note, UNDP Somalia is required to undertake two preparatory activities to kick start and operationalize the SYCP. These include (a) preparation of an operational framework for SYCP, and (b) development of an action plan for improved coordination and collaborative partnership with the relevant institutions in federal and state levels. 

 The Role

The Project specialist  (Climate Security and Youth)  will be responsible for coordinating with the counterparts and the implementing partners and providing technical and operational support for implementing the planned activities related to the project involving climate security and Somalia Youth Climate Platform (SYCP). In doing so, the national coordinator will explore opportunities to create entry points for ambitious planning and acceleration of NDC implementation including integration of climate-security and youth agenda in coordination and partnership with the ministry of environment and climate change and other sectoral ministries and inistutions at federal and state levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Effective representation and national coordination, management, and advisory support to implementing climate-security and youth platform in Somalia
2. Efficient implementation of the planned activities under the project in close collaboration with the FGS, FMS and participating UN agencies
3. Effective supervision, monitoring, and evaluation support 
4. Effective partnership building, resource mobilization, and communications for the integrated project
5. Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing

Ensures effective representation and strategic leadership, overall management and advisory support for effective implementation of the project

• Manages the implementation of activites relating to climate-security and Somalia Youth Climate Platform i(SYCP) n line with the provisions made in the approved Project Document including the implementation strategies and coordination arrangements set out in the project document.
• Provides advice to the Government and the Implementing Partners on the vision and overall strategic direction toward promoting climate-security nexus and 
• Establishes, in collaboration with Government, UN and other partners, systems for planning, implementation, and monitoring in line with the provisions of the project document.
• Supports effective and efficient delivery of the results towards achieving the overall project outcome.
• Represents UNDP in fora with Government partners, the UN Country Team, the UN Mission, and donors as required;
• Provides oversight and strategic guidance to the project, specifically with respect to issues of alignment with strategic priorities of the UNDP and Government and overall technical and institutional coherence.
• Supervises and manages a team of professional and administrative staff to be hired in the project team

Provides efficient implementation and coordination of the activities relating to Climate-Security Nexus and Somalia Youth Climate Platform (SYCP)

• In coordination and support from the counterparts and implementing partners, develops and timely prepares detailed annual work plans and budgets relating to projects on climate-security and youth platform.
• Ensures effective implementation of the activities in accordance with the provisions of the Project Document 
• Provides strategic policy and technical advice, develops support mechanisms for strengthening Government ownership, technical leadership and coordination with a view to ensuring the long-term sustainability of activities.
• Maintains transparent and co-operative relations between key implementation partners, government counterparts, donors and other national and international partners with an active stake in project implementation in context of Somalia through regular consultations, meetings and effective coordination.

Provides effective supervision, monitoring and evaluation support:

• Facilitates the achievement of results by timely monitoring of the progress of implementation and ensures on-going monitoring and annual reviews of work plans;
• Ensures quality preparation and submission of quarterly and annual results reports for the project 
• Develops and periodically reviews the M&E plan;
• Manages risks matrix including reporting and their escalation as required;
• Facilitates and provides inputs for mid-term and terminal evaluations of the project in accordance with UNDP regulations.

Ensures effective partnership building, resource mobilization, and communications for the project

• Provides technical support to the development of relevant advocacy and policy documents relevant for effective implementation of the planned results within the scope of RCC iniatitve on climate-security mechanism and SYCP.
• Coordinates strategic resource mobilization efforts with respect to downstream funding requirements and the scaling up of the project.
• Coordinates with and ensures linkages and synergies with other programming initiatives including ‘’water for peace’, ‘energy for peace’ etc.  
• Consults with external partners including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), private sector, diaspora engaged in similar/complementary activities to enhance coordination and partnership among stakeholders working in areas relevant to climate-security mechanism and youth platform.
• Takes an active advocacy role in approaching donors, in coordination with the Project Manager and the Portfolio Manager, Resilience and Climate Change.
• Promote synergies with other relevant projects supported by the UN and other development partners.
• Strategically guide and supervise designated staff members and personnel, as appropriate.
• Facilitate donor missions and media relations, as appropriate.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Synthesizes best practices and lessons learned from the project and activities for sharing among partners and the stakeholders.
• Develops briefs on achievements and documents, including lessons learned.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by the Supervisor.
• Makes sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice

Institutional Arrangement

• Reports to Chief Technical Specialist; Resilience and Climate Change
• This position is office based with missions within somalia

Competencies

People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

 

Required Skills and Experience

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

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.  UNDP 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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