Main purpose of job:

The Governance Adviser (public sector governance) is an exciting role leading on a high-profile portfolio. It is a great opportunity to work on governance issues in one of the most complex and fascinating countries that FCDO works in. This is a key position in the network and will play an important role in the economic development team and across the Somalia network; with especially close links to the Freedom and Democracy, Stability, Security and Justice teams.

This role leads FCDO’s flagship public resource management programme; including components on PFM, public sector reform, customs and revenue work at federal and state (sub-national) levels. Regular engagement with International Community partners, Somali Government, the World Bank, IMF, and other multilateral organisations is a significant element of this role.

More broadly, the role is essential to advancing key policy agendas, such as fiscal federalism and resource sharing in Somalia, and demonstrating thought leadership on tackling corruption in Somalia.  This expert level role will be based in Nairobi with frequent travel to Somalia and Somaliland. Although not essential, Somali language skills are desirable.

Specific responsibilities of this role will include:

Lead the establishment of new FCDO support to domestic revenue mobilisation and public financial management in Somalia, effectively coordinating with the World Bank.

• Ensure complementarity and maximise synergies with other programmes working on public sector governance in Somalia; chiefly i) the World Bank governance programmes (PFM and DRM, civil service strengthening), ii) EU budget support technical assistance; and iii) the African Development Bank PFM programme.
• Build and maintain relationships with the Public Finance Resource Centre (PFRC) and Regional Tax Adviser.

As the Programme Responsible Owner (PRO) for Public Resource Management 2, effectively lead implementation and the closing phase of the programme in 2025.

• Provide overall leadership and management across the PREMIS 2 programme, which started in April 2022; giving the post holder significant opportunity to shape the development and future of the programme.

 Lead policy dialogue with the Federal Government of Somalia, International Financial Institutions and development partners on domestic revenue mobilisation and public financial management.

• Maintain close working relationships with the International community, with Government (Ministers, senior officials, technical staff and advisers at Federal Government and Federal Member State levels) and with implementing partners in Somalia to ensure effectiveness of programming and to bring together diplomatic and programmatic levers to drive reforms.
• Lead an informal donor Working Group on PFM and civil service reform, setting the agenda, bringing partners together and shaping a collective approach to state building in Somalia among the international community.

 Effective strategic and operational contribution to FCDO corporate work.

• Contribute to strategic discussions on i) macroeconomic stability working closely with the economic adviser; ii) fiscal federalism, revenue sharing and the finalisation/review of the Federal Constitution, working closely with the political governance adviser.
• Work across the FCDO portfolio to support other programming working on institutional development and system strengthening; chiefly i) security and justice programming, ii) the Somalia Stability Fund, iii) Health programming, iv) Regional economic integration.
• Feed into strategic processes e.g. NSC papers, business planning, country diagnostics, to ensure evidence-based assessments of public sector capacity/reform priorities are factored into future thinking.
• Ensure cross-Somalia network understanding of the depth and dynamics of corruption in Somalia, underpinned by evidence-based analysis. Shape the conversation on the potential and risks from the development of the extractives sector in Somalia.
• Contribute to discussions on harnessing the positive potential of urbanisation in Somalia, whilst articulating the governance and resource management issues to be considered if this potential is to be realised.

Resources managed:

• The post holder will manage 1 programme manager and be responsible for a £12 million programme.

• 5-10 years’ experience of delivering public sector reform programmes particularly using adaptive approaches.
• Strong understanding of public financial management and revenue mobilisation.
• Experience of anti-corruption and political economy analysis to understand incentives and drivers of behaviour.
• Strong team leadership experience
• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively with a range of stakeholders including national government, bilateral and multilateral agencies and the private sector
• Experience of operating in a large and complex environment where teamwork, building relations, and bringing people with you is essential.
• Ability to deliver at pace, take initiative and manage your own workload.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Work in FCAS, with a preference for work in Somalia.
• Level of language required: Proficient in English and Somali