Planning and Budgeting Specialist, Local Professional-South West State

I. General Information

Post/Title :Planning and Budgeting Specialist

Positions Type :Local professional

Date of issue:February 26th 2024

Duty Station: Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MOECHE) – South West State

Duration of Assignment:12 months

Deadline for applications :March 18th 2024

II. Background Information

About the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education Project

The past decades have seen continued migration from various African countries, causing a “brain drain” that has debilitated various public sector systems across the continent. Through the IOM Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) programme, Somali diaspora professionals have supported institutional capacity building, service delivery, and policy development of health and education institutions across Somalia since 2015.

The MIDA FINNSOM PHASE III – Health & Education project – contributes to strengthening the Health and Education sectors in Somalia towards achieving specific priorities in the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and the Essential Package for Health Services (EPHS), as prioritized and outlined by the government. The project aims to do so by engaging and enhancing the role of qualified Somali diaspora experts willing to temporarily return to their country of origin. In particular, through assignments within key ministries and public institutions (including hospitals and universities), Somali diaspora experts contribute addressing gaps and enhancing strengths in the planning and delivery of health and education services, coherently with the needs identified through the dedicated baseline assessment conducted during the inception phase of the project. Furthermore, a component of the project is devoted toward contributing to the creation of stable and sustainable access to employment opportunities in the health and education sectors for local experts and interns, who will work in close coordination with the Somali diaspora experts – therefore reaping long-terms benefits of knowledge transfer, competencies sharing and skills development.

III. Duties & Responsibilities

The Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MOECHE), through the technical assistance provided by the IOM MIDA FINNSOM III Health and education project, seeks to build the skills of its Planning and BudgetingSpecialist.

Under the overall guidance of the Director General of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education, and the direct supervision of the diaspora experts, the specialist will work closely with management team to develop strategic plans and budgets that align with the organizations’ goals and objectives. The specialist will ensure that financial resources are allocated effectively and efficiently, and by making sure that the organization’s financial targets are met.

The specialist will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

• Assist the diaspora expert to develop and implement strategic plans and budgets for the ministry.
• Collaborate with the management to identify key financial targets and performance indicators for the ministry.
• Contribute to monitoring and reviewing financial performance against budget and forecasts.
• Assist the diaspora expert to highlight areas of concern and work with management teams to implement corrective actions.
• Support the diaspora expert in the development of financial models, forecasts and scenarios to inform decision-making.
• Assist the diaspora expert in developing and maintaining financial reporting systems and processes to ensure the Ministry’s financial information is accurate and timely.
• Provide guidance and support to colleagues within the ministry on planning and budgeting matters.
• Assist the diaspora expert in developing of policies and procedures related to planning and budgeting.

The MoECHE Project Coordinator, the MoECHE M&E Specialist, and IOM’s project team will support this assignment through interaction with the qualified local professional and beneficiary institution.

IV: Requirements:

Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section III, the MIDA FINNSOM III Heath and Education project is requiring the following deliverables to be submitted throughout the assignment. These are the standard requirements for all assignments under this project:

1. Transfer of skills: The main responsibility of the qualified Somali local professional—which he/she will be measured against—will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment. It will have to be agreed with the beneficiary institution that staff will benefit from this knowledge.
2. Work plan: A work plan must be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of the assignment to provide clear and time-bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with the supervisor, MoECHE coordinator, MoECHE M&E Specialist and IOM project team. This work plan can be revised during the assignment to reflect on new developments or changes.
3. Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the expert to the supervisor, MoECHE Coordinator, MoECHE M&E Specialist and IOM project team. At the end of the assignment, the participant must also provide a final report covering the duration of his/her assignment.
4. Exit interview: An exit interview will be conducted to ensure that a proper exit plan has been put in place to sustain the achievements, upon completion of the assignment.

V: Qualifications

Level of Education: Master degree in a relevant field.

Area of Study: Education.

Years of work experience in what area(s): Minimum of 3 years’ relevant working experience in the education sector.

Experience working in planning and budgeting.

Languages needed:

• Fluency in English.
• Fluency in Somali.
• Fluency in Arabic is an advantage.

General Skills / Other Requirements:

• Experience in managing and mentoring staff and promoting teamwork;
• Good interpersonal and cross-cultural skills;
• Facilitation and training skills, including development of training materials and facilitation of participatory program development and capacity building.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, particularly communication and presentation skills for diverse audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relationships with the Ministries of Education, both Federal and Member States, donors and other development partners.
• Computer proficiency (including word processing, spreadsheets).
• Willingness and experience to work independently, in a politically unstable and security volatile situation and areas;
• Knowledge and understanding of the local Somali culture and its socio-political background.

VI: Subsistence Allowance

The monthly stipend amount will be determined by the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education project, based on the level of education and years of relevant work experience.

VII: Security and insurance modalities

Health insurance will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit and able to work in a hardship area in Africa.

Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of qualified Somali local professionals. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.

Before leaving the country of residence or upon arrival in Somalia, the qualified Somali local professional will receive a pre-service briefing including security advice and cultural background.

How to apply

All applications must be sent via email to: midasomvacancy@iom.int with the following reference as a subject in your e-mail: APPLICATION and the Federal Member State – as mentioned in the vacancy announcement. For further inquiries about the MIDA FINNSOM project and positions, you can reach out to midasomvacancy@iom.int and cc Hussein Isse at huisse@iom.int.

To be considered, applicants must provide a cover letter, CV, and the contact information (email and phone number) of two professional references by the closing date of this vacancy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The closing date of this application is March 18th 2024, at 12.00 PM EAT.

While this project is geared toward the Somali-Finnish diaspora, members of other Somali diaspora communities are also welcomed to apply. Females are highly encouraged to apply and participate in the MIDA FINNSOM III Health and Education Project.