Somalia: NGO CONSORTIUM FIELD OFFICER - GAROWE

The Somalia NGO Consortium is a voluntary mechanism that brings together local and international NGOs working in Somalia/Somaliland. CARE is currently the grant holder of the Somalia NGO Consortium on behalf of all other NGOs working in Somalia and therefore the Consortium is considered part of CARE’ Somalia programs.

We invite applications from experienced and talented individuals to fill the Field Officer for NGO Consortium position. This position will be based in Garowe with substantive travel to other field offices.

Position Summary

The Field Officer is a national position and reports to the Regional Coordinator – South and is part of the Somalia NGO Consortium team. The incumbent will work with member organizations to ensure an overview of needs in Garowe and Puntland; 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 Garowe and Puntland; advise on the Consortium’s response to specific issues and, as the first point of contact for members, support member NGO in all relevant issues. The incumbent will lead external engagement in Garowe and Puntland on behalf of the Regional Coordinator by developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including government.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

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 Garowe and Puntland. 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.

• Organize in monthly Consortium meetings advising on Garowe and Puntland specific issues.

• Regular visits to members’ offices to ensure regular consultation and buy-in from members.

  Information Sharing/information management

• Facilitate information sharing between members and external stakeholders in cooperation with the Mogadishu office. Pro-actively collect information relevant to NGOs and NGO programmes in Garowe and Puntland.

• 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 meetings.

• Provide inputs to stirpes, reports and other ad hoc documents to be sent to members.

  Advocacy

• Under consultation with the Regional Coordinator - Somaliland, 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 Garowe and Puntland point of view.

• 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 Work plan 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 Garowe office, in link with the Regional Coordinator. the Program Officer and the 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 Garowe and Puntland 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

• Any other activities requested by members or the Advisory Board that will enhance the

  Field Officers’ ability to fulfil the Consortium’s mandate.

  Reporting Arrangements:

• Reports to the Regional Coordinator - Somaliland

• Cooperates with the INSO Field Officer in Garowe

  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

• Minimum Bachelor degree;

• At least two (2) years of practical work experience within NGOs in humanitarian work in developing countries. 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 Garowe and Puntland context is required. Minimum 2 years of work experience in Somalia, preferably Garowe and Puntland, and within the Somali context. Excellent understanding of Somali government, local government and traditional governance structures. Well-developed networks within Garowe/Puntland would be deemed an added benefit.

• Proven experience in development and maintenance of multi-stakeholder’s networks and proactive coordination 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).

• He/she must be able to exercise a large degree of common sense and personal discipline. He/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 undertake tasking at short notice with due regard to the security environment. It requires a high degree of flexibility with respect to working hours.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications with the subject line clearly marked “NGO Consortium Field Officer - Garowe”. An updated CV with a comprehensive summary of similar or comparable work should be attached. It should include three (3) referees and be no more than 4 pages. Complete applications should be sent to somhrgarowe@care.orgby 10^th October 2017.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CARE is an Equal Opportunity Employer, promoting gender, equity and diversity. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children