Adeso Country Director –Somalia

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.

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

The Country Director will have overall leadership and management responsibility for the Adeso Somalia Country Program (currently with projects in Puntland and South Central). The Country Director will play a critical role in the development and implementation of strategies necessary to further develop Adeso’s portfolio in the country as the implementer of choice for donors and governments. The Country Director will be a Senior Member of Adeso’s structure and the position requires the demonstrated ability to grow the existing program, maintain existing and cultivate new relationships and develop new programming areas/projects.

The position is based in Mogadishu and Garowe with 50% travel to Kenya and other parts of Somalia, and reports directly to the Head of Programmes at Adeso’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

POSITION PURPOSE

The CD is responsible for the overall managerial and operational activities of Adeso projects in Somalia, including oversight of logistics and security. The CD is responsible for the planning, design, implementation, supervision, and expansion/development of the Somalia program portfolio. The CD oversees the technical and project teams, including the Deputy Country Director, Project Managers/Directors, Technical Advisors and the M&E team. The CD is responsible for ensuring that all programmatic deliverables are met on schedule, program quality is assured and that staffs have access to all necessary technical resources.

SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 Leadership and strategy development • Guide strategy development process, lead action planning and implementation of the Somalia country programme in line with Adeso organizational guidelines and policies • Shape team structures and culture to promote core values of Adeso in particular efficiency, collaboration, and humility with a focus on growing the program • Supervise, mentor and performance manage all senior members of staff • Actively participate in all regional/organizational initiatives and ensure resources, programs and colleagues are all aligned to ensure greater strategic impact. • Develop and drive a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and performance optimization across all projects

 Program and technical management • Ensure project implementation and deliverables, donor reporting and project spending meet Adeso and donor expectations for quality and compliance • Lead the processes for the development of country annual work plans and budgets. Oversee the implementation of Projects within the country; monitoring delivery for quality, costs and time. Provide timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs, and reporting. • Ensure implementation of rigorous and comprehensive monitoring and evaluation, learning and reporting systems with regular reviews including programme staff. Develop and deploy standard project management tools, and develop the project management and technical skills of the Project Managers and other Project staff. • Lead the development and implementation, and maintenance, of process management and information management systems. • Mentor and assist the Project Managers with planning, execution and delivery of projects, ensuring that Adeso’s unique approaches and best practice project management processes are incorporated into project implementation. • Analyze project results, and interpret results into recommendations for management to assist with the development of the organization as the implementer of choice in Somalia. • Ensure clear communications and good relations are developed and maintained within Adeso’s Program/Operations units in Nairobi, and with external parties such as donors, government etc in Somalia. • Oversee the in-country operations and support systems including security, logistics, administration and IT.

 Budgeting and resource planning
• Oversee timely and accurate monthly reporting and effective financial management of all resources allocated to Somalia projects • Ensure compliance with all Adeso and donors policies and procedures for financial and asset management • Customize and implement Adeso’s financial Standard Operating Procedures for all projects in Somalia. • Prepare annual country budgets for Somalia country program, assessing costs and budget/expenditures from projects and asset inventory. • Prepare, and submit for approval, program budgets and expenditure forecasts based on established financial goals. • Responsible for certifying and authorizing disbursements according to Adeso and donor guidelines.

 External relations and New Business Development • Develop current and future growth plans for Adeso’s program in Somalia, ensuring that those plans conform to the overall strategic plan of the organization. • Support new business development opportunities through preparing and delivering proposals and partnerships. • Ensure staff member with the relevant authority are properly trained in proposal development and presentation. • Develop and maintain close working relationships with donors, government and other stakeholders as may be appropriate. • Represent the organization in all high level meetings as well as relevant policy and strategy exchanges. • Ensure that the organization retains legal registration, meets all statutory requirements, and has a healthy relationship with the requisite government and non-state agencies in Somalia.

 Human Resources
• Recruit manage and motivate a skilled, efficient team in consultation with the Head of Programs and support of Human resources team. • Ensure staff development strategies and performance management systems are implemented. • Conduct Staff Performance reviews in accordance with current Adeso’s human resources policies, and initiate appropriate responses. • Encourage and develop employees’ technical and Project management skills and attitude. Implement team-building processes, and encourage a culture of learning and innovation.

 Security • Monitor security levels in all operational areas and consult with the Regional Security Manager to upgrade or downgrade security levels as required. • Ensure that Incident Report Forms are completed and submitted to Head of Programs in a timely manner (within 12 hours). • Ensure application and compliance of security protocols and policies • In cooperation with the Regional Security Manager, monitor the security situation and inform the Head of Programs through weekly security reports • Collect and document local security related information (social & political context, external players, presence/reasons for conflict, military developments, political economy of armed groups), and communicate to the Head of Programs

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

ESSENTIAL

• Post graduate degree in Social Sciences, International development, Project Management, or similar. • Minimum 7-years experience in team leadership/project management roles with at least 5 years of field experience • Strong organization skills and experience with Project Management tools and methodologies.
• Strong skills in facilitation management, team leadership, planning, and problem solving and able to understand the total impact of the projects on the entire organization. • Strong Monitoring and Evaluation skills, in particular for the development and analysis of baseline information, assessments and monitoring tools. Relevant overseas experience in a development and humanitarian context. • Experience of human resource management at field level including distance management. • Experience in budget management and knowledge of financial procedures. • Excellent written, spoken and analytical skills in English; ability to draft high quality, donor-ready reports without support. • Ability to multi-task and effectively handle stressful situations. • Proficiency in computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, power point, etc.

DESIRABLE

• Experience in Somalia and/or other conflict zones. • Somali language skills. • Familiarity with development and emergency international funding mechanisms.

How to apply:

This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional. If you would like to join this dynamic team, please submit your application to jobs@adesoafrica.org, quoting the position in the email subject matter, by July 30, 2013.

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

• An updated CV; and • An application letter which should include cover letter, 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 and women are strongly encouraged to apply.