Vacancy Notice No: IOM/SOM/097/10
Duty Station: Hargeisa, Somaliland, TIS
Position Title: Program/MIDA Assistant (PA)
Classification: Ungraded - equivalent to GS6
- Duration: 6 months special all-inclusive contract with a possibility of extension
General Functions:
Under the overall supervision of the Field Coordinator in Nairobi, and under the direct supervision of the Senior Program Assistant (SPA) in Hargeisa, the successful candidate will assist in the development, implementation and monitoring of Transition Initiative for Somalia (TIS) grant activities in his/her area of responsibility. The Program/MIDA Assistant (PA) will assist in working closely with the relevant and appropriate Government of Somaliland institutions entities at the regional and district level, including co-locating with relevant government offices, and in tandem with TIS - Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) placements in Somaliland, especially in Hargeisa.
The PA will be the TIS focal point for community-level project design and implementation, including the enforcement of budget and timeline requirements. The PA will work closely with the relevant and receive directions from the Senior Program Assistant in the designated area of responsibility; in close conjunction with the Somaliland partner institutions, and in close conjunction with TIS-MIDA placements who are implementing small grants projects. The Program Assistant (PA) is responsible for the implementation of grant activities pertaining TIS-MIDA and will report directly to the Senior Program Advisor. Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:
Essential Functions:
- Assist in establishing a regular process of Government, community, and TIS-MIDA consultations toward the identification and prioritization of grant opportunities and to ensure improved, transparent dialogue throughout and beyond the grant activity cycle.
- Assist the SPA and relevant TIS-MIDA participants in the design and evaluation of the grants. During the grant development process, the PA will develop grant budgets and will to take over grant implementation oversight once the grant is awarded.
- Provide input on general program management, and relevant MIDA participants on methodologies, to identify grant opportunities, and to improve grant implementation.
- Assist in working with communities as well as with the regional and district level government and municipal structures to mobilize local resources (community contributions and Somaliland government resources) to identify synergies and implement grant activities.
- Assist in working with all Somaliland program counterparts in the designated area of responsibility, particularly line ministries for relevant sectors and relevant MIDA participants, to develop individual work plans for each grant.
- Report to the SPA regarding project implementation difficulties and suggest solutions if / when problems arise on individual grant implementations.
- Work with the local procurement and engineer/grant assistants, and with IOM’s Common Services department in Nairobi (COS) to define and analyze bills of quantities (BOQs) for grant projects, and to procure in-kind contributions (including subcontractors, materials, engineers, equipment, etc).
- Work with the local finance assistant to ensure the integrity of budgeting, and to facilitate the payment of program expenses to subcontractors and sub-grantees.
- Monitor and report on project implementation in the designated area of responsibility.
- Responsible for understanding and conforming to appropriate guidelines on public tendering processes for subcontractors when applicable.
- Closely coordinate with the Engineer/Grant Assistants and ensure the maintenance of all TIS grant management policies, procedures and practices.
- Perform other duties as may be required from time to time.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Higher Diploma in public or business administration, economics, political science, international relations/development or related field.
- Minimum of three years of professional experience in project design and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation, preferably in international donor funded projects.
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of government and municipal structures and current development planning in Somaliland.
- Demonstrated capacity to assess the national, regional, and local political context in Somaliland, and especially in Hargeisa.
- Drive for results in a high-volume, quick-paced program environment; creativity and analytical capability required to respond to evolving program demands and current events. Strong inter-personal skills and an ability to work within a team environment; ability to provide both detailed and strategic analysis; excellent communication and negotiation skills; ability to work effectively and harmoniously within a diverse work environment; ability and interest in travel within Somaliland.
- Knowledge of regulations and procedures related to international development assistance. Knowledge of project development process and the principles of good project design, monitoring and evaluation is required. Excellent written and oral communications; analytical; management; and interpersonal/teamwork skills required. Computer skills including the development and management of spreadsheets, tracking systems, etc., and the ability to interpret, organize and present data to a variety of audiences preferred. Ability to work in teams necessary.
- Somaliland citizenship required.
- Written and spoken fluency in Somali and English is required
. How to apply:
Submit well written cover letter and CV including daytime telephone and e-mail address to:-International Organization for Migration (IOM, Human Resources Department, P.O. Box 55040 – 00200, NAIROBI, Kenya OR send via e-mail to hrnairobi@iom.int
CLOSING DATE: 11 February 2011
