Deputy Program Director/Engineer Team Leader , Somalia

Deputy Program Director/Engineer Team Leader
Adeso : African Development Solutions
www.Adesoafrica.org

Position Title Deputy Program Director/Engineer Team Leader
Reporting to Program Director
Working with Program team in Somalia, Country Director, Program Quality Team in Nairobi
Program/ Duty station MDG Initiative for Somalia: Reducing hunger and food insecurity in Puntland region through improved and sustainable use of rangeland resources – Garowe with frequent field visits throughout Somalia and Nairobi HQ
Duration 5 years
Starting date 1st February 2013

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Adeso, formerly known as Horn Relief, is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.

For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. Currently, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan. Our current donor portfolio includes the European Commission, USAID, SIDA, CIDA, UNICEF, and the Government of Netherlands, among others. Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.

POSITION SUMMARY
Adeso is seeking to fill the following position for an European Union (EU) funded project starting on 1st February 2013. The MDG Initiative for Somalia: Reducing Hunger and Food Insecurity in Puntland Region through Improved and Sustainable Use of Rangeland Resources. The proposed action seeks to reduce hunger and food insecurity by improving rangeland conditions in Puntland regions of Somalia. The program will improve the state of natural resources management through implementation of land rehabilitation and restoration work on degraded rangelands, improving sustainable use of natural resources through community based range management programs. The program will integrate environmental consideration into all economic planning and programming activities in the region and galvanize community support for environmental protection and sustainable use of resources. The action will also improve the capacity of the communities to avert resource-based conflicts and to protect the rangeland resources through implementation of local customary laws, establishment of community based environmental courts and by strengthening communities to prevent misuse of natural resources at local level. Furthermore, the action will support development of alternative source of energy that can create jobs and reduce current dependency on firewood and charcoal. Awareness raising campaign branded as “stewardship Puntland” will also be launched to sensitize both rural and urban communities on environmental issues and to in still general public sense of ownership and stewardship of the environment.

POSITION PURPOSE
1. Deputy Program Director/Engineer Team Leader will be responsible for overall strategic leadership and oversight to the project.
2. Primarily responsible for the smooth day to day aspects of the project, ensuring smooth implementation and compliance with all Donor regulations and reporting requirements
3. Highly sensitive to the dynamics of the region and continue to identify innovative solutions through a combination of integrated programming and strategic partnerships.
4. Ensure timely and efficient delivery of project’s results.
5. Be responsible for coordinating partners, project planning and review, stakeholder engagement, financial and people management, and donor reporting.
6. Under the Program Director is responsible for managing 5 multi-year programs based in Garowe in Puntland.
7. Provide the vision and leadership in Program administration and is responsible overall Program implementation ensuring high quality performance.
8. Maximizes budget resources and personnel development and remains flexible in a continually changing environment

SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Vision, Leadership and Strategy
• Assist the Program Director and the Country Director with strategic planning and technical direction of NRM MDG programming to guarantee program impact and institutional growth. Maintain a central role in developing Adeso’ program strategy. Participate in Adeso strategic planning processes and ensure key humanitarian and longer term development issues are prioritized.
• Supervise and provide strategic and technical guidance to project team in a range of Natural Resources Management interventions as outlined in the program document, ensure synchrony and collaboration between technical staff within the program and externally from the various partner organizations and work with them to bring ideas, findings, and lessons learned to project leadership and the donor agency;
• Provide day to day and ongoing supervision and support to the Team of the MDG Initiative for Somalia-NRM programs revising and following the program work plan, program documents and implementation strategy;
• Develop relationships and sets up meetings with stakeholders to identify needs and empower clients to develop effective strategies to enhance their success. This includes the development of partnerships to leverage maximum impact and ensure maximum sustainability of initiatives.
• Oversee management of implementation and make regular visits to ensure that interventions remain on track through program documentation mechanisms and ensure that monitoring outputs are well presented for internal and external learning.
• Document and disseminate project achievements and lessons on a timely basis; Organizes
• Look for opportunities for staff development and organize trainings and workshops.
• Manage the project budget and allocate resources according to the approved budget within Adeso and donor regulations.
• Create an organizational culture of professionalism, accountability, responsibility and quality of service.

Commitment to Quality Program and Staff Development
• Assist in the recruitment and training of program and support staff to ensure quality and capacity for the successful implementation of activities;
• Overall responsibility for the quality of program and plans developed by Adeso core team members;
• Establish leadership, direction and personal credibility of Somalia-based staff; implement and maintain a clearly understood chain of authority and accountability.
• Assist Human Resources to maintain adequate staffing consistent with Adeso policies, including current position descriptions for all positions under the project, personnel orientation and professional development plans, personnel evaluation systems, field personnel policy manual, and personnel grievance procedure system.
• Manage with an emphasis on excellence and achievement; encourage a team culture of learning, creativity, innovation and incorporate staff development strategies and performance management systems into team building process.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
• Ensure programs are based on sound design principles, including need assessments and baselines that impact oriented and evidence based. Ensure program teams are responsible and capable of conducting on-going program monitoring and strategic evaluation.
• Establish an M&E system to document evidence of project activities and impact, in accordance with existing Adeso MEL guidelines. Reflect on actions and progress to inform future action. View all situations as an opportunity to develop knowledge and “lessons learned”.
• Oversee monitoring of project implementation, results and impact. Design monitoring plans and strategies which predict and monitor increased income of small-scale livestock producers which are plausibly attributable to program interventions.
• Establish and maintain effective and timely program/ grant reporting systems for all donors. Write reports for donors in line with progress against stated outcome.

Representation & Diplomacy
• Work closely with the EU, Government of Puntland (particularly Mowet), and other critical counterparts, to ensure the project effectively complies with the EU and Government of Puntland objectives;
• Oversee the activities of and relationships with partners. Review and alter contracts as necessary in relation to performance and objectives.
• Develop and nurture culturally sensitive internal and external relationships and networks to ensure optimum communication and program success.
• Build strong constituencies to include Adeso headquarters and regional teams, international and local NGOs, government officials, donor community officials, vendors, media and the general public.
• Participate regularly in a variety of external forums/workshops/conference/sector coordination meetings to proactively engage and share best practices and findings of the project with the greater government and development community initiatives.

Fiscal, Compliance Management and Accountability
• Coordinate budget; manage budget within approved spending levels and assist in the development of cash flow projections and spending plans.
• Provide oversight of all project operations and reporting, ensuring compliance with EU requirements and regulations;
• Exercise sound judgment to ensure program expenses are reasonable, allowable and prudent.
• Ensure all program funds are spent in accordance with donor rules and regulations including private funds.
• Ensure all Adeso administration, logistical, human resources and financial procedures are followed in relation to implementation of grants.
• Assist with security monitoring to ensure Adeso staff, assets and partners are able to work securely and visit regularly.
• Oversee the submission of monthly expenditures forecasts, expenditure surpluses and deficits to the Finance Director and Program Director to allow program adjustments to be made in a timely fashion;
• Responsible for timely preparation of annual work plans and reports to the Program Director for donor reporting.

Accountability to Beneficiaries
• Ensure the program is implemented in ways responsive to the communities, in line with Adeso principles, values, strategic plans, and following Adeso and donor compliance procedures;
• Ensure that project activities are meeting beneficiaries and stakeholder expectations and that project results are pro-actively disseminated;
• Guarantee community involvement at all phases of the project (identification, design, implementation, and monitoring) to ensure the development of community ownership for the projects.

Technical Compliance/ Engineering
• Ensure compliance with the policy and legislative requirements of EU as stipulated under the Agreement;
• Promotion of information on basic Natural Resource Management issues as well as conservation practices.
• Conduct detailed Natural Resource Management surveys, identify needs and assist in rehabilitation design and implementation of program.
• Ensuring construction of projects in accordance with approved designs and training of community members and stakeholders on proper operation and maintenance of the Natural Resources.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Masters degree in natural resource management, forestry, watershed management, soil and water engineering, agriculture, renewable energy or a social science or associated field with a minimum of five years practical international experience is ideal;
• Minimum three to Five year's experience managing EU programs in Africa;
• Excellent representational and communication skills, written and oral proficiency in English, and verbal communication skills in one or more local languages; Somali language skills a plus;
• Proven ability to work well with multi-level stakeholders; strong interpersonal skills; Experience in developing program work-plans, developing program budgets, managing program implementation, managing staff, and field and managing short-term technical assistance;
• Strong field experience in managing multiple programs, and staff, with an emphasis on remote staffing;
• Previous experience working in the Horn of Africa and/or knowledge of the region is preferred;
• Experience working in an insecure environment and security knowledge is essential;
• Familiarity with EU policies and procedures desired;
• Demonstrated leadership, supervision, and communication skills;
• A team player with visionary leadership
• Good interpersonal skills as well as networking, flexibility and innovativeness;

How to apply:

This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional. If you would like to join this dynamic team and be part of building resilience and economic growth in Africa, please submit your application to jobs.somalia@adesoafrica.org, quoting the position in the email subject matter, by 15th January 2013.

Each application should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager and include the following:

• An updated CV; and
• An application letter which should include remuneration requirements and contact information for three work-related referees

Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Adeso is an equal opportunity employer