Position Description
Title: Somalia NGO Consortium Coordinator (national)
Location:Mogadishu, Somalia
Contract Duration:One year with possibility of extension.
Background
The Somalia NGO Consortium
The Somalia NGO Consortium is a voluntary mechanism that brings together local and international NGOs working in Somalia to encourage information sharing, cooperation, coordination and joint advocacy in order to better work together to improve the lives of Somalis affected by conflict, natural disasters, poverty. The Consortium aims to facilitate a more coherent NGO voice and assist NGO members to channel their concerns and suggestions to appropriate decision makers in the most effective format. Having already established itself in Nairobi and Somaliland, the NGO Consortium is in the process of establishing its presence in Mogadishu to better serve the needs of members present.
Background of DRC
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. Using a protection of human rights framework, DRC has mainly focused on Somalis who are displaced by conflict. Programs include protection, livelihoods, food and NFI distribution, water and sanitation, and advocacy amongst others. There are four main program offices in Somali region, in Yemen, in Kenya and the regional office in Nairobi. There are also non-operational region wide initiatives, focusing on mixed migration issues, civil society engagement, advocacy and capacity building, which are supported from the regional office in Nairobi. Currently there is over 450 DRC staff in the region. DRC will serve as a host for the Consortium Focal Point in Mogadishu.
The Somalia NGO Consortium in Mogadishu aims to:-
1) Become a direct channel of information for all NGO-related matters in Mogadishu for member NGOs and external stakeholders.
2) Support NGOs through working towards an environment conducive for all stakeholder to improve the lives of Somali people, e.g. through identifying the regulations, laws and policies affecting NGOs operating in Mogadishu.
3) Provide a safe space to facilitate inclusive discussions on specific (in particular humanitarian) issues between members and external actors. In doing so support effective coordination of NGOs working in Mogadishu.
4) In cooperation with the overall Consortium advocacy group, conduct solution-oriented advocacy with local and national authorities in Mogadishu on issues affecting operationally of NGOs and which are of key concern to NGO members working in Mogadishu.
5) Provide a forum to promote practical learning and best practice or all NGO members.
Key Responsibilities
The Coordinator is a senior position and reports to the Director of the Somalia NGO Consortium and is part of the Somalia NGO Consortium team with offices in Mogadishu, Hargeisa and Garowe and Nairobi/Kenya. The post holder will manage the two focal points, located in Hargeisa and Garowe, and oversee the overall coordination of Member concerns throughout Somalia and Somaliand. The incumbent will work with member organisations to ensure an overview of needs in Mogadishu; attend humanitarian co-ordination meetings; participate in the elaboration of advocacy materials on issues of key concern to member NGOs; assist in the elaboration of information relevant for NGOs including information governing the regulations, laws and policies of Somalia affecting NGOs operations in Mogadishu; advise on the Consortium’s response to specific issues and, as the first point of contact for members in Mogadishu, support member NGO in all relevant issues. The incumbent will lead external engagement in Mogadishu, South and Central Somalia on behalf of the Director by developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including government. The post holder will provide strategic oversight of the Consortium’s operations in Somalia and lead the field team (two focal points) in a cohesive strategy to deliver quality services to Consortium members.
Specific tasks:
Representation/ Coordination with members and external actors
· Participate in co-ordination meetings with members and other international and local humanitarian organizations, ensuring that the Consortium is appropriately represented in Mogadishu. Report on each meeting attended (including compilation of agendas, preparation and dissemination of background materials, and reports and documents).
· Respond in a timely manner to all queries received regarding the Consortium’s activities, including induction for new members, or new staff of a member agency.
· Liaise with national and local authorities and institutions.
· Participate in monthly Consortium meetings advising on Mogadishu, South and Central Somalia specific issues.
· Regular visits to members’ offices to ensure regular consultation and buy-in from members. Undertake field missions to members’ projects in Mogadishu, South West and Jubaland. (and other new states in Central Somalia as formed)
Information Sharing/information management
· Facilitate information sharing between members and external stakeholders in cooperation with the HQ. Pro-actively collect information relevant to NGOs and NGO programmes in Mogadishu and South and Central Somalia.
· Provide feedback to members following representation on behalf of the Consortium. Identify action points after each meeting and follow up with the concerned parties to ensure that action is taken.
· Provide a bi-weekly report with updates and recommendations on humanitarian needs, evolving humanitarian access and security, and key issues relating to coordination and humanitarian space in Mogadishu and throughout the country. Participate, via teleconference, and present specific issues in HQ monthly Consortium.
· Provide inputs to sitreps, reports and other ad hoc documents to be sent to members.
Advocacy
· Under consultation with the Director, identify issues of priority for members and consult with members to ensure an evidence base for any advocacy activity. Influence overall Consortium advocacy from a Mogadishu point of view/information.
· Raise issues of key concern for humanitarian programming with all stakeholders when relevant. At all times observe the necessary distancing from political or military issues/initiatives and monitor that other stakeholders also respect a clear delineation of roles and responsibilities.
· When of priority, inform Consortium members of political or security related discussions if there are impacting on NGO programming.
· Carry out research as required.
Administration
- Prepare the regionally specific aspects of the Consortium Annual Workplan to include objectives, common issues, and expected output that is to be approved by the Steering Committee. Participate proactively in informing and developing Consortium services and strategy, in particular developing Consortium advocacy concerns.
- Responsible for the administration, finances and logistics for the Consortium aspects of the Mogadishu office, in link with the Director and the Senior Administration and Finance Officer. Maintain financial records of all financial transactions of the Consortium including bank accounts, petty cash accounts, issuing invoices and receipt for localized memberships and forward to HQ.
- Responsible to update and maintain the e-mail addresses, mailing lists, telephone numbers and physical address of Consortium members on a semi-annual basis feeding into the main Consortium member directory.
- Prepare a 3 W’s matrix of member agencies working in Mogadishu on an annual basis. Integrate this into Consortium www that is hosed online. The website is managed from the Nairobi office.
- Responsible for updating and maintaining all files and data bases for the relevant activities of the Consortium, its various working committees, and task force groups.
Leadership
- Manage the two focal points located in Hargeisa and Garowe. Use performance management to manage team, and provide leadership.
- Provide support to the focal points to ensure effective collaboration ad communication
Carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required to ensure the smooth operation of Consortium activities in Mogadishu, South and Central Somalia.
Personal Specifications
Qualifications:
- Minimum Bachelor degree, preferably Masters, in Political Sciences, Social sciences, Development studies or other related field or comparable other experience;
- At least four (4) years of practical work experience within NGOs in humanitarian work in developing countries. (At least one year in a senior position) Knowledge of the Somalia NGO Consortium would be considered an added benefit.
- Good knowledge of humanitarian principles, NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct. Strong willingness to work and adapt to the NGO sector in compliance with basic humanitarian principles.
- Proven in depth and operational knowledge of Somalia with a particular focus on South Central and Mogadishu context is required. Minimum 3 years of work experience in Somalia, preferably South Central, and within the Somali context. Excellent understanding of Somali government, local government and traditional governance structures. Well-developed networks within Mogadishu/South Central would be deemed an added benefit.
- Proven experience in development and maintenance of multi-stakeholders networks and proactive coordination experience.
- Staff management experience
- Proven experience in high quality production of reports and analysis.
- Demonstrable experience with advocacy/lobbying (NGO or other stakeholder) within a complex humanitarian context and at senior level.
- Capacity to plan and monitor resources
Skills and competences:
- Excellent communication, coordination and representational skills. Demonstrated leadership capacity and professional experience at a senior level.
- Demonstrated ability to make clear and articulate presentations (orally and in writing) of complex information. Strong analytical skills.
- Capacity to deliver in structured and timely manner within set deadlines
- Demonstrated capacity to work with minimal supervision and maintain a high level of initiative and engagement. Demonstrated capacity to recognize when and where proactive action is required and to initiate timely and appropriate action.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and diplomacy and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with staff and other stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural team and to coordinate with diverse stakeholders.
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Languages:
- English and Somalia (working language): fluent with excellent writing capacities
- Knowledge of Turkish would be of added benefit.
- Posting details:
- The position is based at DRC offices in Mogadishu, Somalia with limited travel to other places in South and Central Somalia as well as Nairobi, Kenya. Somalia is a hazardous environment and the selected candidate must adhere to security precautions and contribute to the security of the team. He/she must be able to exercise a large degree of common sense and personal discipline.H e/she must also display a high degree of diplomacy and personal integrity and at all times abide to working principles including impartiality and neutrality in all actions and work towards fulfilling the Consortium Mandate.
- The position requires the holder to be able to work effectively and efficiently, unsupervised and show a high degree of initiative. The selected candidate must be able to plan and manage their own time effectively and delegate efficiently. The holder must exercise a strong work ethic and take responsibility for his/her own actions.
- The position requires the holder to be able to undertake tasking at short notice with due regard to the security environment. It requires a high degree of flexibility with respect to working hours.
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of nationality, race, gender or age.
Reporting Arrangements
Reports to the Director, Somalia NGO Consortium
Cooperates with the NSP Area Manager in Mogadishu. Receives administrative support through DRC Somalia in Mogadishu.
General
Commitments: DRC/DDG has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework into the work of DRC/DDG (http://www.DRC/DDG.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)
Terms and Conditions
Other employment conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff
Further information
You are welcome to contact the NGO Consortium at director@somaliangoconsortium.org for more information about the position. Please note that applications are not to be sent to this email.
For general information about DRC, please consult www.drc.dk, and for information about the NGO Consortium please consult www.somaliangoconsortium.org .
HOW TO APPLY:
The recruitment for this position is managed according to DRC recruitment procedures in cooperation with the Consortium Director and the NSP Program Director.
Please submit your application and CV by email to info@somaliangoconsortium.org with the subject heading “Somalia NGO Consortium Coordinator Mogadishu”, no later than April 30th 2015. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered. CV-only applications will not be considered. Please provide references, but do not attach any written recommendations. Applications sent disregarding this official application process will not be considered. Candidates who applied previously should not re-apply.
