VAC-11748 National Program Officer (Green Economy and Peacebuilding)

• Our clients Community Stabilisation Unit (CSU) addresses the multifaced drivers of instability caused by conflict & climate change through implementing projects to reduce conflict & prevent the resurgence of Alshabaab in the southern four Federal Member States (FMS) of Somalia (Jubaland, South West, Hirshabelle & Galmudug) through tangible climate adaptive stabilization packages in newly liberated areas that link to longer term development through a functional nexus approach.

• These project support communities & the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to restore peace & lay the foundations for a longer term, sustainable recovery whilst mitigating the drivers & negative effects of displacement in fragile contexts through climate adaptive stabilization packages in newly recovered areas of Somalia to reduce forced displacement, conflict, extremist influence & the impact of climate change on competition over land & water. Significantly, the project foregrounds innovative agricultural & water systems solutions to enable a traditionally pastoralist population to develop climate adaptive & transformative behaviours that contribute to peaceful coexistence.

• CSU is therefore recruiting a National Project Officer, under the overall supervision of the Program Manager (Environmental Peacebuilding) in CSU Mogadishu & direct supervision of the Program Officer (Climate Conflict) based in Nairobi, to support implementation of all CSU projects & directly with communities & local government officials to prioritize, oversee & monitor stabilization activities in the region.

• Identify, develop & lead overall implementation with support of field teams of innovative programmatic activities under Community Stabilization (CS), such as but not limited to regenerative resilience & green economic activities / livelihoods & to expand its EP portfolio & avenues to integrate different systems.  

• Participate in the preparation of EP project proposals & a diverse range of communication products, concept notes & other planning documents. 

• Keep the supervisor informed on the status of project implementation; identify gaps & suggest actions to improve implementation. 

• Contribute to the planning, development, organization & delivery of capacity building activities focused on EP targeting our clients staff, government & civil society partners, implementing partners & communities. 

• Coordinate closely with engineers, M&E, Field teams, procurement & finance units to ensure timely implementation of various activities relating to the respective units within the project cycle.  

• Identify EP program development opportunities, new thematic areas of technical intervention relating to regenerative resilience & strategic partnerships that would promote the expansion of our clients environmental peacebuilding portfolio.  

• Supervise & provide training & technical guidance to project staff on community led natural resource management & best environmental practices. 

• Contribute to the Community Based Planning (CBP) process by supporting CS field teams including but not limited to conducting area profiling, facilitating static & mobile community consultations, & coordinate with key district stakeholders to document & incorporate relevant information.

• Coordinate the timely preparation & dissemination of project reports in accordance with our clients procedures & donor requirements.

• Assist in the implementation of matching grant activities relating to environmental regeneration & communal natural resource management.

• Undertake regular travel to target locations when needed to enhance community, government & local partner ties as well as to regularly monitor progress of activities. 

• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

This roles works under the overall supervision of the Program Manager (Environmental Peacebuilding) in CSU Mogadishu & direct supervision of the Program Officer (Climate Conflict) based in Nairobi.

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, business administration, or other relevant field, from an accredited academic institution with minimum of two years’ relevant work experience.

• Experience in the design, field implementation & coordination of environmental peacebuilding & / or community stabilization activities / programs in countries experiencing instability or transition in Somalia is an advantage.

• Experience working with the government at federal, state, regional, district & local level.

• Experience in the design & field implementation of innovative interventions that promote or create conditions for environmental peacebuilding including through enhancement of horizontal trust (inter & intra community), as well as vertical trust (between the local government & their constituents).

• Knowledge of UN, international organizations’ & NGOs mandates & programs in the area of environmental peacebuilding & community stabilization.

• Experience in local partner liaison & community engagement at field level.

• Familiarity with pastoral, agropastoral & nomadic ecologies & economies.

• Thorough knowledge of rural project implementation approaches.

• Experience in regenerative resilience, the green economy, natural resource management & the climate conflict cycle. 

• Ability to manage multiple, simultaneous & shifting demands / priorities under tight deadlines. 

• Understand the interplay between climate change, environmental degradation & conflict in Somalia. 

• In depth knowledge on community led natural resource management. 

• Demonstrable understanding of Somali regional / country social issues & analysis. 

• Ability to collaborate within teams & cross boundaries. 

• Good knowledge of the UN work system & ability to work under minimum supervision & effectively with people of different national & cultural backgrounds. 

• Strong interpersonal skill, ability to work in a diverse team, flexible & quickly adapt to new / different environment.

• For this position, fluency in English & Somali is required (oral & written) & working knowledge of Arabi si desired.

• 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 potential.

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

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

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.