SWALIM Liaison Specialist (SC9)

Organizational Setting

The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the area of FAO’s global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO’s response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and close to 400 staff in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries.

Reporting Lines

The position is under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Somalia, the direct supervision of the SWALIM Technical Advisor and in coordination with ILWRM-II Project Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for facilitating SWALIM relations with the local Institutions and for following-up all SWALIM activities in Puntland.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Under the overall premise of SWALIM transition to the Government, facilitate the triangular interface between FAO/SWALIM, relevant ministries and the recently established Information Management Centre (IMC) for water and land resources (WAL) of Puntland.
• Liaise with the government institutions to facilitate the smooth transition including coordinating the pertinent SWALIM interventions in general and ILWRM-II interventions under CadRe project in particular.
• Closely follow the implementation of the annual workplan of Information Management Centre (IMC), monitor the progress, provide technical input towards consistent improvement of the IMC performance and report back to the supervisor.
• Provide technical and coordination support to the implementation of IMC Sustainability Plan and contribute to partnership forging aimed at functional excellence and financial soundness, including the access to financing from government annual budgets.
• Assist IMC in broadening the partners including the private sector.
• Support the FAO and IMC teams in monitoring the implementation and continuous fine-tuning of the IMC Sustainability Plan (SP).
• Facilitate the IMC institutionalization as independent Puntland Government entity through mainstreaming its technical mandate.
• Provide technical input and contribute to the implementation of IMC activities related to land and water resources information cycle, WAL resources assessment, capacity development and gender mainstreaming efforts.
• Support the IMC & FAO teams in the progress monitoring and reporting of the work plan/s as agreed in the letter of understanding (LOU/s) between FAO and the Government of Puntland.
• Contribute to convening the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee (IMCC) meetings, providing both organizational and technical input as required for the effective functioning of the IMCC.
• Ensure/facilitate proactive engagement of IMC by bridging with SWALIM team and FAO Somaliland office in accessing datasets and information produced by SWALIM and ensuring dissemination to the relevant Puntland institutions.
• Jointly with SWALIM team, support the cross-IMCs knowledge sharing process by documenting & disseminating lessons learnt and best practices on continual basis.
• Bridge FAO and other development partners (such as UN agencies, international organizations, etc.) with IMC for data accessing, data processing and information products to be used as evidence-base in natural resources projects and programming.
• Provides field level technical support to the project and partners, identify gaps which need for further support, and advise SWALIM Technical Advisor and ILWRM-II Project Coordinator accordingly.
• Participate/organise thematic meetings with line ministries and partners and improve stakeholder coordination.
• Cultivate a friendly and efficient interaction with line ministries, Information Management Centre’s Director, ministries’ seconded staff and other partners and clients accessing SWALIM information products and services. Actively promote and create awareness to partners, including all relevant Somaliland Ministries, and ensure that they can access SWALIM information products in an easy and efficient way.
• Support IMC to capitalize on available opportunities for SWALIM to more actively engage and collaborate with Puntland institutions and partners.
• Ensure that all meetings with ministries and partners are well documented and provide written minutes of the meetings to the SWALIM Technical Advisor and ILWRM-II Project Coordinator.
• Participate in the ToT programme and use the acquired technical skills to develop capacity building activities (training courses, on-the-job training, feedback sessions etc.) for Somali Ministries and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate field missions and field work for SWALIM staff based in other offices as well as international consultants.
• Respond to inquiries, information and data requests made internally and externally to the Garowe office.
• Assist SWALIM team in preparation of progress reports, technical reports, and financial reports.
• Capitalize on available opportunities for SWALIM to more actively engage and collaborate with the Somaliland line ministries.
• Ensure that SWALIM trainings, workshops and meetings are well planned, organized and coordinated and ensure that these are well documented and follow up activities are taken in good time.
• Preparation of logistical requirements as it arises in advance.
• Preparations of a monthly progress reports on the activities undertaken, defining action points and providing recommendations.
• Reporting any project challenges or constraints in a timely manner.
• Take responsibility for the project’s equipment, materials, tools, and other items around operation.
• Reporting of any security-related indicators/incidents that occur or are likely to occur around deployment.
• Conduct capacity needs assessment as required.
• Any other related duty as may be assigned by SWALIM Technical Advisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in natural resources management, environmental studies, development studies, social sciences, information management, or other relevant discipline from a reputable institution.
• At least 4 years of relevant experience in managing government and stakeholder relations.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Somali.
• National of Somalia.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience working with local government authorities in project implementation.
• Knowledge in natural resources management.
• Knowledge in developing and maintaining project records and documentation.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement preferably in Somalia.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION