Government Liaison Officer

II. Organizational Context and Scope:

Under the direct supervision of the COM IOM Somalia, the Government Liaison Officer will be responsible for liaising and coordinating with the central, regional and local government officials, acting as a mediator between IOM and government on the planning, coordination, execution, and monitoring of all of IOM programme activities in Somalia

The Government Liaison Officer will work in an integrated manner with all stakeholders, and be competent to engage with any level in government including President, Prime Minister, Mayor etc. in both central and regional administrations.

The Government Liaison Officer will responsible supporting IOM's programmes which work directly with communities and local district authorities, and particularly IOM's stabilization projects in the newly liberated areas. In this function, S/he will be expected to assist in contributing to IOM"s stabilization planning and strategies that build trust between local, regional institutions and the central authorities.

S/he will play an active and constructive role in providing consistent information, analysis and strategic recommendations to the program management in Nairobi support office, including best practices and programme and political challenges. The Government Liaison Officer will convey to programme counterparts in Government, civil society, and communities the key methodologies and objectives of IOM projects.

The Government Liaison Officer will forge good relationships across government and community interlocutors, and across a broad range of local, regional and national interests toward joint implementation of grant initiatives. The Government Liaison Officer will be responsive to current events in the designated area of responsibility. The Government Liaison Officer will be capable of rapid, coordinated action to capture opportunities for positive change and confidence-building for the programme.

III. Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

The Government Liaison Officer responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Assume responsibility for the management of the overall communication and the relationship with the government line ministries (i.e., Ministry of Interior, Office of the Prime Minister, etc.), stakeholders and the regional administrations. Manage expectations of Government counterparts by ensuring they are fully oriented in IOM programs and projects ;
2. Advise program management on programmatic strategy including where to focus program resources, how to develop operational relationships with government entities and operational challenges as they arise;
3. Provide feedback to the Nairobi based program management team and participate regularly in coordination and planning meetings, site visits and project team meetings. Ensure that all communication, information and relevant documentation is made available to the institution and program management team;
4. Obtain appointments with government officials as required, organize meetings and provide translation services as required;
5. Develop, coordinate and implement methodologies for engaging government entities and local communities in consultative processes for project identification and implementation. Provide regular updates and correspondence with the stakeholders on programming progress;
6. Provide continued Liaison with government authorities on matters of protocol and provide guidance on Somalia’s national policy and law and advice the COM and program manager on changes in National Legislation and administrative matters;
7. Together with partner institutions and the Program Managers, identify potential grantees for the design and development of grants and provide support and information to IOM/ program activities.
8. Write-up and recommend projects from those identified through consultative processes using the Programme’s Activity Database.
9. Develop, implement and share with other program staff in Nairobi methodologies for small grant project implementation that incorporates a consultative approach between the government entities and communities as well as monitoring and evaluation processes;
10. With assistance from the Director General of Ministry of Interior’s office, ensure that relevant local government authority or authorities and communities are brought together for transparent consultative processes throughout a grant cycle.
11. Report as necessary to Stabilization and Transition Coordinator in Nairobi on all aspects of project implementation.
12. Provide IOM program management with ongoing assessment and anticipation of political events, including potential impacts and outcomes of community grants.
13. Coordinate with relevant authorities for the use of airport facilities by IOM
14. In coordination with the Stabilization and Transition Coordinator, assist other units and projects to address their matters of concern with the FGoS.
15. Consult and coordinate with focal points of different units in the mission including MHD, IBM, MIDA, and MCOPs when contacting the relevant partners especially the governments to avoid uncoordinated as well as duplicated communications;
16. Work with the IOM Field Security Officer and UNDSS security in Mogadishu to clear visitors and ensure the IOM officials remain informed of changes in the security situation and comply with UNDSS security at all times;
17. Ensure that contracted staff meet reporting deadlines as instructed by the Program Managers;
18. Work closely with IOM’s third party contractor to facilitate the supervision of all MIDA participants;
19. Make applications for visas and their subsequent extension as they may be required, create, maintain and update documentation of international staff’s visas and or residency;
20. Obtain Somalia entry visas for IOM staff from other missions travelling to Mogadishu on official missions and who require such facilitation due to the absence of Somalia missions in their work stations;
21. Maintain an updated record of privileges and immunities offered by the Somali Government and the advice of the Chief of Mission/Project Manager when appropriate;
22. Inform the relevant government agencies and UN bodies of the arrivals of international staff and obtain any necessary residency related documents for international staff assigned to IOM Mogadishu;
23. Make arrangements for IOM Mogadishu staff travelling to other countries from Mogadishu;
24. In close coordination and upon the request by common services, facilitate the importation of project materials and equipment, and obtain customs clearance for items imported into Somalia by IOM;
25. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Mogadishu-based and Nairobi-based management;

IV. Competencies:

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following technical and behavioural competencies

Behavioural

Accountability

• Accepts and gives constructive criticism
• Follows all relevant procedures, processes, and policies
• Meets deadline, cost, and quality requirements for outputs
• Monitors own work to correct errors
• Takes responsibility for meeting commitments and for any shortcomings

Client Orientation

• Identifies the immediate and peripheral clients of own work
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with clients
• Identifies and monitors changes in the needs of clients, including donors, governments, and project beneficiaries
• Keeps clients informed of developments and setbacks

Continuous Learning

• Contributes to colleagues' learning
• Demonstrates interest in improving relevant skills
• Demonstrates interest in acquiring skills relevant to other functional areas
• Keeps abreast of developments in own professional area

Communication

• Actively shares relevant information
• Clearly communicates, and listens to feedback on, changing priorities and procedures
• Writes clearly and effectively, adapting wording and style to the intended audience
• Listens effectively and communicates clearly, adapting delivery to the audience

Creativity and Initiative

• Actively seeks new ways of improving programmes or services
• Expands responsibilities while maintaining existing ones
• Persuades others to consider new ideas
• Proactively develops new ways to resolve problems

Leadership and Negotiation

• Convinces others to share resources
• Actively identifies opportunities for and promotes organizational change
• Presents goals as shared interests
• Articulates vision to motivate colleagues and follows through with commitments

Performance Management

• Provides constructive feedback to colleagues
• Identifies ways for their staff to develop their abilities and careers
• Provides fair, accurate, timely, and constructive staff evaluations
• Uses staff evaluations appropriately in recruitment and other relevant HR procedures
• Holds directly reporting managers accountable for providing fair, accurate, timely, and constructive staff evaluations

Planning and Organizing

• Sets clear and achievable goals consistent with agreed priorities for self and others
• Identifies priority activities and assignments for self and others
• Organizes and documents work to allow for planned and unplanned handovers
• Identifies risks and makes contingency plans
• Adjusts priorities and plans to achieve goals
• Allocates appropriate times and resources for own work and that of team members

Professionalism

• Masters subject matter related to responsibilities
• Identifies issues, opportunities, and risks central to responsibilities
• Incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation
• Persistent, calm, and polite in the face of challenges and stress
• Treats all colleagues with respect and dignity
• Works effectively with people from different cultures by adapting to relevant cultural contexts
• Knowledgeable about and promotes IOM core mandate and migration solutions

Teamwork

• Actively contributes to an effective, collegial, and agreeable team environment
• Contributes to, and follows team objectives
• Gives credit where credit is due
• Seeks input and feedback from others
• Delegates tasks and responsibilities as appropriate
• Actively supports and implements final group decisions
• Takes joint responsibility for team's work

Technological Awareness

• Learns about developments in available technology
• Proactively identifies and advocates for cost-efficient technology solutions
• Understands applicability and limitation of technology and seeks to apply it to appropriate work

Resource Mobilization

• Establishes realistic resource requirements to meet IOM needs Technical * Delivers on set objectives in hardship situations
• Effectively coordinates actions with other implementing partners

Works effectively with local authorities stakeholders, beneficiaries and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives

V. Education and Experience

1. Higher Diploma in International relations, Public relations, Political science or related field
2. Minimum 4 years of experience working with government
3. Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills;

IOM functional competencies

1. Effective communicator, successful negotiator, creative analytical thinker, active learner, strong team player and cross cultural facilitator;
2. Ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision;
3. Hard working and takes initiative;
4. Solid computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office package (Excel, Power point, Outlook), internet an email;
5. Fluent in both English and Somali;
6. Experience in working with local NGO’s is essential.

VI. Languages

Required Both English and Somali Fluent Advantageous Experience in working with local or international NGO’s

HOW TO APPLY:

Method of Application:Interested candidates should submit CV and a cover letter quoting the Vacancy Notice Number as the subject, with three professional references and contacts (email or telephone) to the:

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Somalia Coordinating office in Nairobi

Human Resources Department,

Gitanga Groove, off Gitanga Road

P.O. Box 1810 - 00606

Nairobi Or

Send by email to: recruitmentsomalia@iom.int 

Closing Date: 21st June 2015

NOTE: ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED