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. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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.
Organizational Context
The UN has been engaged in Somalia since its independence in 1960, undertaking activities that help alleviate poverty and suffering, encourage development, support peacebuilding and security and mitigate the effects of the conflict on the Somali people.
The UN’s various mandates are currently implemented through 24 Agencies, Funds and Programmes (both resident and non-resident), one political mission (UNSOM) and one logistical support mission (UNSOS).
On 1 January 2014, the UN became a structurally integrated presence with UN entities working in close cooperation and thorough joint programmatic interventions across the UN Country Team (UNCT) and UNSOM, especially in the areas of governance, including constitutional review and elections, rule of law, including police, justice and corrections, as well as security, gender equality, human rights, advocacy for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) protection in key areas in south and central Somalia, and disengaged combatants.
While Somalia has made significant forward strides in recent years, the UN recognizes that further progress in Somalia’s peacebuilding and state-building enterprise is based on our collective ability to work across the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding agendas in a coordinated and holistic manner. Without comprehensively addressing the multiplicity of issues facing the country, our collective gains will remain fragile and reversible. Furthermore, the humanitarian situation remains precarious for much of the population. Somalia experiences major rapid and slow onset climate-induced shocks on a two to five-year cycle, with flooding, cyclones and particularly drought as the main causal factors. Over two decades of armed conflict and the presence of violent extremist groups, combined with nascent state institutions, have also profoundly affected the country’s resilience to recover from both climatic and human induced shocks.
The UN in Somalia recognizes that increasing the resilience of Somalis requires a coordinated approach among stakeholders across all sectors. This approach seeks to undertake longer-term development interventions that address the underlying causes of recurrent human and nature induced humanitarian crises. It is only through collective and coordinated efforts across the UN, and with the Somali government and people, can progress towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) be realized.
The UN’s contribution to the realization of these objectives is undertaken through the Cooperation Framework (2021-2025). This encapsulates and articulates the UN’s collective commitment to support Somalia’s humanitarian, development, political and security priorities as outlined in the Somalia National Development Plan 2020-2024 (NDP9). It is also aligned to the SDGs.
The position is located in the Integrated Office of the Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (henceforth the Integrated Office) for Somalia. The incumbent will report to the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/HC) through the Head of the Integrated Office.
The Integrated Office comprises five entities, namely: Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) providing support to the UN Country Team; Risk Management Unit (RMU); New Partnership Support Unit (NPSU), Community Recovery and Extension of State Authority and Accountability (CRESTA/A); and Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism Unit (P/CVE). These entities are located in multiple locations in Nairobi and in Somalia duty stations (Mogadishu, Garowe, Hargeisa).
Job Purpose
Under the guidance of the DSRSG/RC/HC and in close cooperation with the P4 Mission Special Assistant, Executive Assistant, the Head of Office and other UN teams, ensures timely efficient support ensuring that the DSRSG/RC/HC’s work is well planned and prioritized, that they are well prepared for engagements and decision making with quality background material and recommendations, and are kept informed in a timely way of relevant new developments.
Duties and Responsibilities
1.) Advise the DSRSG/RC/HC in the UN’s collective programmatic and operational efforts, particularly the implementation of joint strategies, joint programming initiatives and harmonization of services including by ensuring timely and quality;
- Prepare meetings/events, pro-actively identifying links between humanitarian – development and peace-building issues.
- Notifying the DSRSG/RC/HC of pending and important issues to be raised and recommending which forum is the most appropriate for discussion/decision making.
- Proactively formulate options for decision
- Coordinating implementation of activities identified and/or follow-up to decisions
2.) Ensure the DSRSG/RC/HC’s overall work and engagements are effectively prioritized and well organized from both a logistical and policy content perspective;
- Monitor emerging issues and keep the DSRSG/RC/HC informed of all matters requiring his/her attention.
- Solicit, organize and provide briefing material, talking points and speeches for internal meetings, external missions and other activities.
- Author and edit analytical reports and correspondence.
- Provide immediate summaries of DSRSG/RC/HC activities as required and follow-up with UN personnel and partners, as needed.
3.) Contribute substantively to UN coordination and knowledge sharing mechanisms and ensure adequate linkages to Somali government-led coordination mechanisms;
- Maintain positive working relations and manage feedback and information flows between and among UN focal points/agency heads, Counterpart coordination mechanisms in government, private sector, civil society and the donor community.
- Actively participate in global practice network on coordination and other knowledge networking forums. Share relevant information with UN agencies.
- Providing substantive support to UN coordination mechanisms, strategic planning sessions, and theme groups as required.
- Facilitate and support the development and synergies across joint programming initiatives, including active sharing of lessons learned
4.) Advise the Head of the RC Office in effectively and efficiently managing the RCO, including supporting and covering the R&R of RCO staff in other locations outside Mogadishu in Somalia;
- Liaison and backstopping for RC Advisors, UN colleagues and national partners in the field on key issues.
- Perform any other task as assigned by the Resident Coordinator or Head of the RC Office
- The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
- Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: While not currently a direct reporting line, the incumbent will oversee the day-to-day work of the Mogadishu-based Administrative Assistant
Core Competencies;
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies;
- Ethics: UN policy knowledge – ethics: Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity
- Administration & Operations: Event planning and execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate.
- Business Direction & Strategy: System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
- Business Direction & Strategy: Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with ones’ authority area of expertise and resources
- Administration & Operations; Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings): Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
- Digital & Innovation: Tech literacy: Ability to apply new digital tools or adapting their original use to create new insights, fresh perspectives or develop solutions.
Understand the potential as well as the limitations of certain technological developments; being able to identify how technology can add value when it’s used as a “”means to an end””. - Business Management: Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization as programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (A master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, Social Science, Economics, Law, Public Administration, Community Development, Sociology, Politics, and other social sciences or related field in required. Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of five (5) years (with master’s degree) or seven (7) years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible international experience in the fields of development, humanitarian work, political affairs, peacebuilding, programming, and policy is required. A combination of experience in several fields would be an advantage.
- Demonstrated experience and strong understanding work across development, humanitarian and peacebuilding nexus is required.
- Experience working in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required.
- Experience in coordination of international organizations is desirable.
- Previous experience in the UN system is desirable.
- Previous experience working in the office of a senior public official as a Special Assistant (or similar) to a senior public official is desirable.
- IT fluency and competency with a range of communications software is required.
Language:
- Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
- Knowledge of Somali is considered an advantage. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
Note: Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable)
Disclaimer
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.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.