The IRC began working in Somalia in the early 1980s; initially to assist people seeking refuge in the aftermath of the Somalia-Ethiopian conflict. The focus of IRC Somalia programming is on Economic Recovery and Development (ERD), Health and Nutrition, WASH, Governance and Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) interventions to crisis affected communities in most of the targeted locations. With headquarters in Mogadishu, the IRC oversees field offices in Garowe, Gaalkayo, Dhusamareb and Baidoa in Puntland, Galmudug, Southwest and Benadir Region. IRC programming in Somalia adopts an integrated and holistic approach, in which each sector provides mutually reinforcing services to at-risk populations.
Job and project overview
The IRC is looking for highly qualified and professional Team Leader/Project Coordinator for an upcoming opportunity entitled ‘Build Resilience for Food & Nutrition Security (BREFONS) which is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry, and Range (MoLFR) of the Federal Republic of Somalia (being the Executing Agency). BREFONS will be implemented in selected areas in Somaliland, Puntland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, Southwest, and Jubbaland.
The ambitious BREFONS project is expected to improve living conditions of rural communities in the above-mentioned project target areas by improving their access to water, pasture, and infrastructure for livestock health and markets. The main components of the project include:
i) Strengthening the resilience of Pastoral and Agropastoral Production systems,
ii) Supporting Agribusiness Development in Pastoral Communities,
iii) Strengthening the Adaptive Capacity to Climate Change; and
iv) Project management and coordination. Gender, climate change, fragility and environmental requirements will be mainstreamed and integrated across all components.
Under the main components mentioned above, the project will support the development of Climate Resilient Infrastructures for Agropastoral Production Systems, sustainable Management of Agropastoral lands, Climate Smart Technologies and Innovations, facilitation of Access to Market and Digital Advisory Services, as well as to support with Livelihood Diversification, the development and improvement of weather and climate services, the mainstreaming of Climate Risk Finance and Insurance; operational and institution capacity for climate resilience and adaptation and Project management and coordination at national and regional state levels.
Scope of work
The Team Leader/Project Coordinator will provide overall leadership as well as strategic, technical, operational, administrative and logistical oversight and management of the BREFONS project in order to achieve the project goals in selected states and regions. S/he will closely work with the MoLFR at federal government and member states and all the other stakeholders to augment planning, implementation and monitoring all project activities, including activities undertaken by sub-contractors. The Team Leader will provide quality assurance of all activities, which involves conducting regular field monitoring visits to ensure compliance, coordination, and high-quality implementation of all project activities by the IRC. S/he will be based in Mogadishu, with frequent travel to project sites in Somaliland, Puntland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, Southwest and Jubbaland. The Team Leader will be reporting to the IRC Somalia Country Director.
Key responsibilities
• Provide overall leadership, as well as strategic, technical, operational, administrative and logistical oversight and management of the BREFONS project in order to achieve the project goals in selected states and regions.
• Manage a project team that includes a Civil engineer, Livestock Production Specialist, Community Development Specialist, Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer, Procurement Specialist and an Accountant; and work closely with the country programs, M&E, finance and supply chain staff that have relations with the project.
• Responsible in all engagements with the client ministry and point of contact for the IRC with MOLFR (at Federal and Federal Member State levels), the AfDB, and other key stakeholders. S/he will engage with the ministry´s Project Management Team on review of deliverables and technical conversations to ensure delivery of high-quality services.
• Responsible for planning, organizing and monitoring all project activities, including activities undertaken by partners and/or sub-contractors. S/he will provide quality assurance of all activities, which involves conducting regular field monitoring visits to ensure compliance, coordination, and high-quality implementation of all project activities by the IRC and partners.
• Work closely with the project team outlined above to ensure that project delivery is high quality, that the project takes an adaptive approach to incorporate learnings and proactively troubleshoot and address challenges, and that implementation follows IRC, MoLFR and AfDB requirements. This includes ensuring that the environmental and social safeguards requirements are implemented and reported on.
• Harmonize development of BREFONS project strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, and overall management of the program in line with AfDB, IGAD, and sister regional program (e.g DRSLP, IDDRSI) guidelines to achieve set objectives.
• Provide effective coordination and guidance among project teams, local government and authorities, community and private sector partners, NGOs, OCHA, and other key stakeholders.
• Work with project teams, line ministry staff, and M&E lead to development strong M&E mechanisms, program monitoring tools and efficient systems to ensure high quality implementation.
• Establish compliance with AfDB regulations, procedures, and IRC guidelines.
• Promote strong team spirit and provide oversight and mentorship to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
Required qualifications & competencies:
• Minimum master’s in social sciences, Agriculture, Rural Development, Engineering or equivalent.
• 12 years’ experience in project planning and management; working in fragile and conflict affected areas (longer experience in Somalia or the region a strong advantage).
• A proven and successful track record with at least 5 years of previous senior management/ Team Leader/ Chief of Party experience managing a multi-million-dollar programs in Somalia or in fragile and conflict affected contexts.
• Prior experience with local governance, social accountability, community driven development and civil society development programming, with experience of DFID interventions in this field especially desirable.
• Experience working with AfDB, or similar bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, on commercial contract management.
• A thorough understanding of the institutional and political context in Somalia, with knowledge of institutional strengthening and policy development in post-conflict contexts, particularly on pastoral livelihoods in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) with strong experience on cross-cutting themes around gender and inclusion strategies.
• Demonstrated ability for rapid analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic priorities into operational strategies.
• Excellent human resource management skills, interpersonal skills, cross-cultural communication and ease in managing a multi-cultural team.
• Ability to oversee the measurement and communication of robust results and impact and hold their team and implementing partners accountable for good and timely performance.
• Strong understanding of operational management, fiduciary risk, attention to Value for Money and the importance of learning and continual improvement.
• Fluency in English and Somali (spoken and written).
• Excellent IT skills (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to manage a large and varied workload, work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• IRC nationals or long-term residents are particularly encouraged to apply.
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
Gender Equality: The IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Diversity and Inclusion: at the IRC, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, physical or mental ability, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.
More Information
- Job City Mogadishu
