Transition Program Advisor (Somalia) 101 views0 applications

Macfadden/PAE is seeking a Transition Program Advisor to be based in Mogadishu, Somalia, and work directly with USAID/OTI counterparts.

To support the political and security transition in Somalia, USAID/OTI targets the conditions that enable violent extremist groups to destabilize the country. Working in front-line areas of Jubbaland State and South West State, USAID/OTI uses a flexible, cross-sectoral approach that partners with local government, civil society and local communities, amplifying such engagement though media and strategic communications.

Essential Functions:

With guidance and instructions from the USAID/OTI County Representative (CR) or designee, currently based in Nairobi, Kenya, the Transition Program Advisor (TPA) will, in coordination with USG stabilization partners, analyze political and security developments in the region as it relates to USAID/OTI’s program and provide weekly, bi-weekly and other regular reports to the USAID/OTI CR for Somalia as required. The TPA will use this context analysis to contribute to USAID/OTI Somalia’s strategy, inform program decision making, propose and review potential grants and other activities, and provide oversight over implementation of program activities in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), USAID/OTI’s partner in Somalia. Lastly, the TPA will play a supportive role in the execution of activities that support overall USG objectives in Somalia.

The TPA is expected to take initiative, act independently, and manage his/her tasks with minimal supervision. The TPA is expected to actively and proactively collaborate with USAID/OTI CR or designee, and to fully embrace flexibility. The USAID/OTI CR and/or his or her designee will set overall objectives and will work with the TPA to develop deadlines, projects, and work to be accomplished. The TPA will be responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving problems, and coordinating with others.

Keeping the USAID/OTI CR and/or his or her designee informed of progress, the TPA may propose approaches to be taken and the methodology to be used to achieve programmatic goals and objectives for activities and engagement plans. This person will coordinate closely with DoD in order to strategically position the USAID/OTI Somalia program. The TPA may identify potential activity ideas on the ground, and will pass those along to IOM staff, who will evaluate the idea and assess whether it should be developed. Lastly, this person will provide additional perspective on activity ideas suggested by IOM staff.

The USAID/OTI CR and/or his or her designee will review completed work from an overall standpoint of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness in meeting requirements.

The TPA is also expected to meet with IOM staff and will work out of a workspace at IOM’s office in Mogadishu. In close consultation with the USAID/OTI CR or designee, the TPA will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key partners and stakeholders to promote efficient coordination with USG and Somali government officials, State, USAID, DoD, AMISOM, UN, and other international community stakeholders.
• Convey OTI interests during meetings with USAID Mission personnel, U.S. Embassy staff, host-country government officials, international organizations, indigenous and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international donors, and others interested in DCHA/OTI activities;
• Serve as a liaison between USAID/OTI and DoD to ensure that USAID/OTI Somalia program’s stabilization strategy and activities are responsive to emerging developments on the ground.
• Provide regular reporting and analysis, as determined by USAID/OTI’s CR or designee, on political and security developments in Somalia.
• Assist in the conceptualization and design of program strategies and objectives in close coordination with USAID/OTI and IOM staff. Assist in the regular review and refining strategic objectives and advocating on behalf of new programmatic approaches in-country and/or linked to neighboring country programs, where appropriate.
• Provide USAID/OTI and IOM staff with guidance on the identification and development of activities that meet program criteria, further programmatic objectives, and complement other activities implemented by USAID/OTI and other USG and international programs.
• Effectively communicate and coordinate with the USAID/OTI CR in order to fulfill the duties outlined within this SOW and fulfill all other reporting, analytical, and programmatic duties as they change from time to time according to the evolving needs of the program.
• Work closely with USAID/OTI and IOM staff to ensure the effective use of the OTI Activity Database and other OTI systems and procedures to maintain effective and efficient management of funds, programming, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Assist the USAID/OTI CR in collecting information and drafting/editing regular reporting products.
• Perform a wide range of administrative support functions including activity budget preparation, financial management, records management, and travel assistance, to help ensure programmatic success;
• Participate in discussions and planning with the OTI CR to develop an exit strategy that ensures reasonable time to transition from OTI programs to follow-on USAID or other donor programs;
• Perform all other necessary duties determined by the Macfadden/PAE PM to ensure successful USAID/OTI program implementation.

Living Conditions and Travel Expectations:

This position is located in a conflict zone, in an environment with harsh and dangerous working and living conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be exposed to extreme and austere desert-like environment. Temperatures can reach 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit/32-38 degrees Celsius during the summer months. Employees must be willing and able to perform regular job requirements in this austere, extreme environment.

The TPA will live and work in Mogadishu approximately 75% of the time and may have access to Department of Defense (DoD) assets to be able to travel, with DoD or private security protection, to areas of Somalia that are inaccessible to USG personnel (including USAID/OTI staff) who fall under Chief of Mission authority.

The TPA is expected to regularly travel to other locations in South Central Somalia when the opportunities arise, focused primarily on Kismayo and Baidoa, as security conditions permit. When possible, the TPA will meet with IOM staff to increase contextual analysis and provide feedback that is meant to inform IOM staff members how best to implement their program activities.

Outside of Mogadishu, Macfadden/PAE will arrange in-country travel and accommodations as needed and may receive some support from DoD. Macfadden/PAE will provide full life support in Mogadishu. The TPA will be provided with Personal Protective Equipment.

The TPA will also be expected to spend approximately 25% of his/her time in Nairobi, Kenya. While in Nairobi, the TPA is expected to meet with USAID/OTI colleagues and USG government officials to provide political and contextual analysis. The TPA is expected to stay in temporary housing and rely on local taxis/cabs for ground transportation during his/her time in Nairobi.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant work experience, or Master’s degree with 6 years of experience

Additional Experience Required:

• At least seven years of progressively responsible work experience of which at least three years includes working on developing countries and at least two years working in one or more countries undergoing conflict or political instability.
• Demonstrable working experience in program(s) requiring highly functional grasp of a USG foreign affairs or an international assistance organization’s procedures and practices. Prior experience working with stabilization or political transition programming and military personnel and in inter-agency cooperation/integration is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working in a multi-cultural environment with a diverse staff.
• Demonstrable English language writing and oral communication skills at the highly proficient level on matters germane to this SOW.
• Prior work experience in Somalia preferred, but not required.
• Professional experience in such areas as community stabilization, conflict mitigation, post-conflict recovery, addressing violent extremism is strongly preferred
• Current security clearance at Secret level is required, but Top Secret is preferred.

Skills:

This assignment requires experience in stabilization environments, demonstrated civ/mil experience, strong political and conflict analysis capacity, excellent managerial and communication skills, an ability to perform in a complex and highly sensitive political environment, experience in policy formulation and negotiation at the highest levels (government and non-government organizations), and a strong interest in assisting countries in transition. The candidate must be mature, self-reliant, a team player, a problem-solver, and able to manage a high volume of travel. The TPA should have project management experience in a stabilization environment and understand the basics of grantee and contractor/donor relationships. The candidate should be able to communicate effectively with local government counterparts, grassroots organizations and their constituencies, USG agencies, including the military, and other international organizations. Since work may require continued changes in program direction and implementation, including frequent coordination, the individual will be someone who is highly flexible and willing to work under conditions of ongoing change.

Familiarity with a wide range of issues is necessary, including community development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy/governance and human rights. Knowledge and understanding of the region is also desirable. Prior work experience with USG agencies or managing programs in conflict environments is preferred. The successful candidate will possess excellent political analysis and reporting skills and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, responsibility and authority in a highly stressful environment while exercising sound judgment in politically charged and challenging security environments.

Physical Requirements

Employees must be willing and able to perform physical activities including, but not limited to, climbing in and out of armored vehicles and working outdoors. This includes being able to lift and carry 40 pounds of personal protective equipment for extended periods of time and being capable of running and ‘duck & cover’ during emergencies without putting oneself or others at risk.

This position description reflects Macfadden/PAE’s assignment of essential functions; nothing in this job description restricts the Company’s latitude to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

PAE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, national origin, age, United States military veteran’s status, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, family structure, medical condition including genetic characteristics or information, veteran status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law.