OVERALL OBJECTIVE The purpose of the Consortium Focal Point is to represent Consortium members providing high level liaison, information and coordination services and act as the first point of contact for Mogadishu related issues.
BACKGROUND OF NGO CONSORTIUM
The Somalia NGO Consortium is a voluntary mechanism that brings together local and international NGOs working in Somalia. Given the highly complex and insecure environment and the large numbers of agencies working in Somalia, a coordinated NGO voice is critical to conduct development, humanitarian and peace building work in Somalia. The Somalia NGO Consortium promotes information sharing, cooperation and joint advocacy initiatives amongst local and international NGOs working in all regions in Somalia and highlight key NGO concerns in key coordination fora.
BACKGROUND OF DRC
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. Using a protection of human rights framework, DRC has mainly focused on Somalis who are displaced by conflict. Programs include protection, livelihoods, food and NFI distribution, water and sanitation, and advocacy amongst others. There are four main program offices in Somali region, in Yemen, in Kenya and the regional office in Nairobi. There are also non-operational region wide initiatives, focusing on mixed migration issues, civil society engagement, advocacy and capacity building, which are supported from the regional office in Nairobi. Currently there is over 450 DRC staff in the region. DRC will serve as the host agency for the Consortium Focal Point in Mogadishu.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A) Representation and Coordination
• Represent the Consortium and its members in Mogadishu, ensuring regular and broad consultation with members and external stakeholders on current issues. First point of contact for Mogadishu related question.
• Set up relevant mechanism of coordination with NGO members and external stakeholders. Closely cooperate when relevant with the NSP Area Manager. Uphold professional close working relationship with key stakeholders including member NGOs based in Mogadishu, NGOs which are not yet members of the Consortium, UN Humanitarian agency representatives, the OCHA Head of Office, the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator and key donor representation including the Turkish embassy and the OIC representation.
• Ensure the Consortium mandate is known and correctly understood by all stakeholders, internal and external.
• 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.
• Hold regular monthly information sharing meetings in Mogadishu, if security permits, including compilation of agendas, preparation and dissemination of background materials, and reports and documents.
• Attend and facilitate relevant external stakeholders meetings, workshops, seminars, etc, and when able, represent neutrally the position of the Consortium members.
B) Information sharing/Information management
• Facilitate information sharing between members and external stakeholders in cooperation with the Nairobi office. Pro-actively collect information relevant to NGOs and NGO programmes in Mogadishu and South Central Somalia.
• Report to the Nairobi Focal Point any issues that might have an impact on NGO security or other breaking news
• Produce and disseminate feedback to the members following representation on behalf of the Consortium, including on formal coordination bodies and bilateral meetings.
• Identify action points after each meeting and follow up with the concerned parties to ensure that action is taken.
• Attend quarterly Somalia NGO Consortium member senior management meetings in Nairobi focusing on policy, advocacy, and key issues. Participate, via teleconference, and present the Mogadishu specific issues in Nairobi’s monthly Consortium.
C) Humanitarian Advocacy
• In close cooperation with the Nairobi Focal Point take forward advocacy issues that have been identified by members and are relevant to NGOs working in Mogadishu. Influence overall Consortium advocacy from a Mogadishu point of view/information.
• 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.
D) Administration/Facilitation
• Prepare the regionally specific aspects of the Consortium Annual Workplan 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.
• Support the manager of the Mogadishu office and ensure security rules are followed by visitors
• Responsible for the administration, finances and logistics for the Consortium aspects of the Mogadishu office, in link with the Focal Point and the Senior Administration and 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 Nairobi as stated in the financial SoP.
• Prepare bi-weekly reports (sitrep) for his / her line manager. Prepare annual regional narrative and financial reports for members and the Nairobi office.
• Request movement validation by the Focal Point and the NSP Area Manager before any movements out of duty station
• 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 Mogadishu 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 Focal Points ability to fulfil the Consortium’s mandate.
REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS
• The Consortium Focal point Mogadishu reports to the Nairobi Focal Point. Will be responsible for maintaining weekly briefings with the Nairobi Focal Point via teleconference.
• Cooperates with the NSP Area Manager
• Receives administrative support through DRC Mogadishu.
POSTING DETAILS
• This position is Mogadishu-based with limited travel to Nairobi. Somalia is a hazardous environment the selected candidate must adhere to all security precautions. He/she must be able to exercise a large degree of common sense and personal discipline.
• The position requires the holder to be able to work effectively and efficiently, unsupervised and show a high degree of initiative. The selected candidate must be able to plan and manage their own time effectively and delegate efficiently. The holder must exercise a strong work ethic and take responsibility for his/her own actions.
• He/She must at all times work towards fulfilling the Consortium Mandate and show a high degree of diplomacy and personal integrity.
• 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.
• The work undertaken will have a direct effect on the safety and security of individuals operating in Somalia. The successful candidate must be duly aware of this and be prepared to meet this challenge.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Minimum Bachelor degree, preferably Masters, in Political Sciences, Social sciences, Development studies or other related field;
• At least five (5) years of practical work experience in a senior position within NGOs / UN in humanitarian work in developing countries
• Proven in depth and operational knowledge of Somalia with a particular focus on South Central and Mogadishu context is mandatory. Minimum 3 years of work experience in Somalia, preferably South Central, and within the Somali context.
• Well-developed networks within Mogadishu/South Central would be deemed an added benefit.
• Minimum of 3 years of living, working and operating in hostile environments.
• Proven experience in high quality production of reports and analysis.
• Proven experience in development and maintenance of multi-stakeholders networks and proactive coordination experience.
• Demonstrable experience with advocacy/lobbying (NGO or other stakeholder).
SKILLS AND COMPETENCES
• Excellent communication, coordination and representational skills. Demonstrated leadership capacity.
• Proven understanding and experience of advocacy within a complex humanitarian context. Strong willingness to work and adapt to the NGO sector in compliance with basic humanitarian principles.
• Demonstrated ability to make clear and articulate presentations of complex information. Strong analytical skills.
• 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 demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff and other stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural team and to coordinate with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding and work experience in civil issues would be deemed an added benefit.
• Good English writing skills.
• Excellent knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet
LANGUAGES
• English and Somalia (working language): fluent with excellent writing capacities
• Knowledge of Turkish or Arabic would be of added benefit.
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of nationality, race, gender or age.
CONDITIONS
Availability: October 2012
Duty station: The position is based in Mogadishu, Somalia. Somalia is a hazardous environment and the selected candidate must adhere to security precautions and contribute to the security of the team.
Contract: One year with possibility of extension.
Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer towww.drc.dk under Vacancies. The position will be placed at salary level 9A.
FURTHER INFORMATION
You are welcome to contact the NGO Consortium Focal Point at focalpoint@somaliangoconsortium.org for more information about the position. Please note that applications are not to be sent tofocalpoint@somaliangoconsortium.org.
Applications sent directly to focalpoint@somaliangoconsortium.org will not be considered. For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk, and for information about the NGO Consortium please consult www.somaliangoconsortium.org .
COMMITMENTS
DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html).
APPLICATION PROCESS
The recruitment for this position is managed according to DRC recruitment procedures in cooperation with the Consortium Focal Point and the Consortium Steering Committee.
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered. CV-only applications will not be considered. Please provide references, but do not attach any written recommendations.
Please submit your application and CV by email to info@somaliangoconsortium.org, with the subject heading “Consortium Focal Point Mogadishu”, no later than 21. September 2012. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Only applications that meet the minimum requirements and qualifications will be considered.
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