Senior Humanitarian Advisor

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.

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 Senior Humanitarian Adviser will be seconded to the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) of the Somalia Federal Government (currently under the Ministry of Interior) for one year with possibility of extension based on organizational & DMA’s needs availability of funds and satisfactory performance. S/he will provide technical and capacity building support to the DMA staff and act as a liaison between Adeso, humanitarian donors, humanitarian coordinators like UNOCHA, partners and other state authorities. The aim of this position is to promote multi-sectoral and integrated strategies that link humanitarian interventions to recovery, including national social protection strategies.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Senior Humanitarian Advisor (SHA), via the DMA, will be one of the key positions through which the international community will provide technical assistance and advice to the Federal Government of Somalia in coordination with other known coordination agencies such as UNOCHA. The SHA will work with other stakeholders in the humanitarian community to provide expert analytical and advisory support on humanitarian issues to the DMA for the planning, development and execution of humanitarian policy as well as for the coordination of disaster management, emergency response and recovery efforts with other authorities, donors and implementing agencies. The SHA will act as an important link between the international community and donors on the one hand and the Federal Government on the other with regards to humanitarian operations in Somalia. The SHA will also be tasked with extensive mentoring and on the job training to DMA mid-level and senior staff as well as providing support in organizational development to the DMA. While the position is initially supported by USAID/OFDA, it is hoped that different donors will eventually support this position.

SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 Leadership and Management
• Identify institutional strengths and weaknesses and advise remedial actions; • Provide any assistance needed to the DMA by giving advice on capacity needs in the recruitment and training of support staff to ensure quality and capacity for the successful implementation of DMA activities; • Support the DMA in developing policies to support the coordination and management of various humanitarian operations; • Support DMA efforts to ensure that humanitarian response efforts are inclusive and coordinated between all actors involved by convening Humanitarian Coordination activities when a disaster is declared in close partnership with UNOCHA and the cluster system; • Liaise with humanitarian agencies like UNOCHA to help the DMA staff get on-the-job training on data collection, analysis and reporting of the humanitarian situation on the ground as well as coordination aspects; • Ensure collaboration between technical staff both from Adeso and other humanitarian actors to discuss and document ideas, findings, and lessons learned;

 Networking • Work with counterparts in other donor organizations in Somalia at all levels, particularly those represented in the Humanitarian Country Team and relevant Working Groups, to exchange information, and collect information on DMA staff training opportunities; • In partnership with DMA leadership, regularly brief the donors and humanitarian actors on the humanitarian situation in Somalia through monthly and quarterly reports and through meetings as needed; • Support the DMA to lead efforts to assess existing relief and reintegration programs and identify humanitarian assistance requirements, target beneficiary groups and locations, and recommend the types of interventions and budget levels necessary to support such programs.

 Operations • Work with the DMA and other humanitarian actors to enhance strategic and operational collaboration with early warning mechanisms to collect and share early warning system information related to the humanitarian situation on the ground with relevant stakeholders for purposes of advocacy, coordination and resource mobilization; • Provide advisory role to the DMA to enhance their capacity to utilize Early Warning System information in order to recommend program priorities and strategies as well as appropriate delivery methods for humanitarian actors intervening in the affected areas;

 Representation and Coordination • In coordination with UNOCHA, support the strengthening and improvement the of humanitarian activities coordination with the different stakeholders operating in Somalia under the DMA mandate; • Provide a link between DMA and other humanitarian actors dealing with coordination in Somalia (UNOCHA) to effectively partner with national and local actors. • Attend and support international coordination mechanisms as when and where required; • Coordinate collection of information and provide updates and recommendations through written reports on issues related to the humanitarian situation.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

ESSENTIAL • Minimum seven year's international experience of program and operational management; • Masters degree relevant to Humanitarian Aid e.g. international relations, economics, food policy, social science; • Written and oral proficiency in English; • Somali language skills; • Excellent representational, interpersonal and communication skills; • Proven ability to work well with multi-level stakeholders; • Experience in developing program work-plans and budgets; • Strong personnel management skills, with an emphasis on remote staffing; • Experience working in an insecure environment and knowledge of security issues; • Demonstrated leadership and team building skills.

DESIRABLE • Previous experience working in the Horn of Africa and/or knowledge of the region; • Experience with technical assistance to government authorities; • Familiarity with USAID policies and procedures.

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@adesoafrica.org, quoting the position in the email subject matter, by 30th August 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 a cover letter 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.