Somalia: Galkayo Conflict - FGS Liaison Officers / Coordinators (SOMALI NATIONALS ONLY)

Position Title: Galkayo Peace and Reconciliation Coordinator (s)

Project Name: Galkayo City and Mudug Duty Station: Galkayo, Mudug Region

Starting date: ASAP

Background

The Galkayo conflict is one of the major conflicts that affects the overall stability and unity of the country as explained in the last Galkayo Conflict Assessment, carried out by Interpeace and its local partners (PDRC) and funded by UNDP/UNSOM. It also has been identified as one of the most critical conflicts to the overall stability of the countryin the recent National Consultative Conference on Reconciliation held in Mogadishu in June 2017 by the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation (MOIFAR).

In addition to the findings which range from federalism, economic issues, public properties, weak governance, and proliferation of weaponry to media propaganda and culture of impunity, the assessment by Interpeace provides detailed actionable conclusions and recommendations on peace-building entry points which are divided to short, medium and long term. In those “entry-points and opportunities” (read more in the attached concept note), it is proposed that the Federal Government of Somalia with assistance by its international partnerssupport the conflicting parties on a number of key issues.

The Galkayo Conflict Assessment has recommended MOIFAR to promote and support peace, stabilization reconciliation in Galkayo City, implement the agreements between Puntland and Galmudug,and mitigate the collapse of the ceasefire. Core tasks of this new intervention are:

• Provide political support toward the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the June agreement
• Support and facilitate mediation efforts between the parties
• Coordinate peace-building and reconciliation efforts
• Organize peace building events such as town hall meetings, sports and cultural and arts events
• Facilitate peace building working goups and liaison communities (local peace initiatives)
• Provide technical support and facilitations to community dialogue and local authorities
• Provide facilitation, guidance and coordination to international agencies who support Galkayo peace building and reconciliation efforts
• Verify, monitor and exercise oversight of the ceasefire agreement and reconciliation processes at different levels
• Tackle and reduce tensions and confusions created by federalism

Scope of Work

The goal of the two FGS Liaison Officers/Coordinators is to (a) support full implementation of the previous agreements between Puntland and Galmudug, (b) work with relevant authorities and communities to establish a locally-owned, sustainable mechanism for dialogue, and (c) build capacities of the mechanism, local authorities and other actors to resolve issues through dialogue.

To achieve that goal, the FGS Liaison Officers/Coordinators will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Provide recommendations to MOIFAR for Federal Government’s political and technical support required to the Galkayo Conflict

• Provide recommendations to MOIFAR for its interventions to develop a functional local governance mechanism in line with the Wadajir framework

• Promote local peace efforts and support both local administrations of North and South of Galkayo

• In close collaboration with the two administrations and local community leaders, s/he will coordinate all efforts of reconciliation on behalf of the MOIFAR, starting with the implementation of the ceasefire.

• Together with the two administrations and peacemakers, s/he will facilitate establishment of a joint peace committeefrom different community sector levels (women, youth, business community, religious leaders, intellectuals and traditional elders). In order to broaden stakeholders, those groups will be inclusive of all Galkayo communities (Dir, Marehan, Laylkase, HabarGidir, Majerteen clans and minorities/marginalized groups) and will not be circumscribed to only parties with direct conflict (HabarGidir and Majerteen).

• Support genuine dialogue between parties through which they will be trained, supported and facilitated to jointly identify root causes to their problems; this will subsequently result in jointly developing lasting win-win solutions to their problems

• Contribute to initiatives and discussions on how to provide security in Galkacyo in the interim, addressing the issue of clan militias and security measures for the negotiation process

• Support the formation of a mediation committee that includes broad-based “consultation teams” from each community under the guidance of the Federal Government and with the support of the UN and the international community

• Engage local media and assist to sensitize and strengthen the media to contribute to peace-building through joint awareness raising and capacity building, the development of a media code of conduct, and an equivalent monitoring mechanism to ensure independent, accurate and conflict-sensitive reporting.

• With the help of international partners and Puntland and Galmudug, develop mechanisms to identify, deter and address "aggravating actors", who are contributing to the prolonging of the conflict and undermining peace processes.

• Organize and facilitate regular coordination meetings with international and local peacebuilding actors and agencies as needed.

• Identify potential spoilers and find ways to engage them more positively towards reconciliation of the two communities.

• Explore opportunities for investing in shared projects and assets and public properties that create economic and social bonds between Galkayo communities. These can be investment in clean water, energy, higher education, livestock quarantines, markets, infrastructures and services such as transport.

• Give advice to UN and international agencies so as to ensure that development projects intended for Galkayo benefit both communities and is an integral part of building peace.

• Prepare weekly reports about the conflict, efforts, and field visits, minutes of meetings, and others.

• Perform other relevant duties as required and assigned by MOIFAR.

Qualifications

• At least a Bachelor degree or equivalent related to social science, peace building, security or relevant experience

• At least 5 years extensive professional experience of peace building, development or security sector

• Excellent understanding of the local context, and having access to the community and political and social leaders at all levels and on both sides.

• Ability to travel to remote areas.

• Gender sensitive, understanding women’s important role in peace building and willingness to engage women in the peace building, reconciliation and negotiating process.

• Personal flexibility and high motivation

• Good communication and excellent reporting skills in Somali and English

• Good skills in Microsoft Office.

Reporting and supervision

• The FGS liaison officers will directly report to the Director-General of Federal Affairs and Reconciliation.

• The FGS liaison officers will share information with the UN and international partners when requested.

• The FGS liaison officers will work closely with Puntland and Galmudug Federal Member States, the Galkayo North and South Regional and District Administrations.

APPLICATION PROCESS: This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional. If you would like to join this dynamic team on Galkayo Conflict Resolution, please submit your updated CV and Cover Letter to oladabdiaziz@gmail.com copying mohamud.haji@undp.org. Please quote the position title in the email subject matter, by 12^th October 2017.

Due to high volume of applicants we can only contact to short listed candidates.

Female candidates with the above qualifications and requirement are highly encouraged to apply.