VAC-11747 Senior Program Assistant (Community Engagement and Empowerment)

• Our client is one of the major humanitarian & development actors in Somalia. They are the lead agency for two projects Saameynta & the Danwadaag which aim at implementing durable solutions to conflict & climate induced displacements in Somalia.

• The number of IDPs in Somalia has doubled to reach more than 3.8 million persons living in 2,774 sites & settlements, exacerbating Somalia’s dramatic demographic shift from a rural to a predominantly urbanized country.

• Under the overall supervision of the Program Manager (Durable Solution & Urban Displacments) & the direct supervision of the National Program Officer (Durable Solutions) based in Mogadishu, the successful candidate will coordinate, monitor & support the implementation of the durable solutions & community engagement interventions as well oversee & directly manage all the durable solutions works in Jowhar by providing operational support to the peacebuilding programs in Somalia.

The Senior Program Assistant is expected to achieve & attend of the following roles & responsibilities.

• Support EPC management to liaise, establish & / or maintain cordial working relationships with relevant government focal points for the effective implementation of EPC activities.

• With technical guidance from the National Officer, assist the project management team & work with local authorities, communities & partners to ensure that Displacement Affected Communities (DACs) can effectively participate in public affairs as full citizens with equal rights to make independent planning decisions that advance their access to services & livelihoods. 

• In coordination with the community stabilization & durable solutions unit, support the design & implementation of the youth engagement & empowerment strategy across sites, ensuring that any to achieve community engagement activities that are meaningful & inclusive; promote community empowerment & self reliance, especially targeting beneficiaries most in need of assistance & protection.

• Deliver community engagement activities using creative, arts based, drama, music, sports & play, etc. means for both IDP & host communities ensuring a participatory approach, relevance, contextualization & cultural sensitivity of content.

• Assist to engage communities in decision making through structured community meetings, conducting thematic youth & women committees & facilitating Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) that guarantee inclusion, participation & representation.

• Ensure monitor that effective feedback mechanisms are in place & that feedback from beneficiaries is followed by specific actions & incorporated into meaningful & inclusive community engagement activities that promote resilience, self reliance & accountability.

• Support the Program Manager & National Program Officer in liaising with on site & local actors, municipalities, service providers, partners & other stakeholders to design & implement joint activities, workshops & training sessions, donations, recreational events, etc., to promote integration & cultural diversity.

• Develop, establish & maintain community participation & engagement mechanisms, tools & templates to ensure transparency & effective communication within the teams & communities in the sites.

• Identify, promote, organize & coordinate the opportunities for collaboration with local communities & local stakeholders.

• Participate in the development of roadmaps, strategies & policies for scaling up durable solutions from state to municipal levels.

• Participate in the development, implementation & reporting of capacity building initiatives to strengthen DACs, local authorities & relevant stakeholders on social cohesion & social accountability.

• Contribute to the feasibility assessments, development of context appropriate community managed funds, designing of training materials as well as organizing & facilitating capacity building exercises working with relevant partners to strengthen local community fund mobilization & management.

• Coordinate with all different departments & disciplines in planning & organizing activities and events in & outside the sites.

• Liaise with our clients partners, local organizations, service providers, volunteers & other stakeholders to strengthen inter agency coordination.

• Conduct field monitoring visits & other duty travel as required.

• Perform other related duties as may be assigned.

This role will work under the overall supervision of the Program Manager (Durable Solution & Urban Displacments) & the direct supervision of the National Program Officer (Durable Solutions) based in Mogadishu.

• University degree in social or political science, law, psychology, communications, education, arts or a related field from an accredited academic institution with minimum three to four years of relevant professional experience or high school diploma with minimum six years of relevant professional experience in IDP / returnee reintegration & community driven development initiatives.  

• Demonstrated knowledge in urbanization, durable solutions, stabilization & peacebuilding concepts.  

• Previous work experience in coordinating with local & state government authorities, UN agencies & civil society organizations. 

• Experience in working with government authorities (especially in Jowhar district Hirshabelle state of Somalia) including knowledge of building bylaws & building requirements an asset. 

• Experience in construction / renovation work in Somalia is an asset. 

• Experience in urban development in insecure or post conflict environments. 

• Sufficient capacity to undertake the responsibilities in Somalia.

• Demonstrated experience in project cycle management. 

• Proven skills & experience projects monitoring & evaluation.

• Effective communication & presentation & leadership skills.

• Ability to conduct training & impart knowledge effectively.

• Ability to produce & / or check the drawings including but not limited to site plans, architectural, structural & MEP drawings, cost estimation, BOQ & other layout plans which may be presented by prospective contractor(s).

• Information monitoring, analysis & synthesis.

• Good coordination, negotiation & advocacy skills.

• Ability to analyze data & write reports.

• For all applicants, fluency in Fluency in English & Somali (oral & written) is required.

• Respects & promotes individual & cultural differences. Encourages diversity & inclusion.

• Maintains high ethical standards & acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles / rules & standards of conduct.

• Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent & committed manner & exercises careful judgment in meeting day to day challenges.

• Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.

• Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected & fairly treated.

• Develops & promotes effective collaboration within & across units to achieve shared goals & optimize results.

• Produces & delivers quality results in a service oriented & timely manner. Is action oriented & committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

• Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge & innovate.

• Takes ownership for achieving the organization’s priorities & assumes responsibility for own actions & delegated work.

• Encourages & contributes to clear & open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring & motivational way.

• Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example & demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision. Assists others to realize & develop their leadership & professional potential.

• Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best & develop their potential.

• Promotes shared values & creates an atmosphere of trust & honesty.

• Works strategically to realize the organization’s goals & communicates a clear strategic direction.

• Leads with humility & shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

This role has no team management responsibility.

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.

• The educational certificate(s) of the selected candidate will be sent for verification.