Somalia: SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER

CARE is an international NGO working in Somalia. CARE and its partners work with vulnerable communities to address the underlying causes of poverty and promote peace and development, as well as mitigating immediate suffering caused by drought, conflict and displacement.

CARE Somalia’s Urban Youth Program is currently seeking applications from experienced professionals to fill the position of Senior Program Officer. The position will be based in Galdogob, Puntland, Somalia with frequent travel to the field regularly for project implementation and technical support

1.0Position Summary

The Senior Program Officer will be based in Galdogob and will support day to day implementation of the SSF funded HANO project covering Galdogob and Bursalah districts of Puntland state. Reporting to the Project Manager, he/she is expected to work with local communities, local and regional government, community leadership and line ministries to ensure the delivery of a high quality project. The primary responsibilities will include project planning and implementation, project monitoring and reporting.

2.0Roles & responsibilities

2.1 Project Planning and implementation (50%)

• Support the Manager to conduct participatory need assessment with youth and women groups to identify the beneficiaries of the project.
• Mobilize the community and the local leadership to participate in all the stages of the project ensuring conflict sensitivity.
• Organize VSLA training for youth and women groups ensuring the delivery of quality training.
• Facilitate formation of savings and loans associations for beneficiaries in collaboration with local community structures.
• Participate in the design of participatory beneficiary selection criteria for all the components of the project.
• Participate in community engagement to ensure participation of women, youth and marginalized groups in the project.
• Sensitize the community to take part the different levels of dialogue on inclusive governance, peace building and inclusion.

2.2 Project Monitoring (20%)

• Participate in the development of a monitoring and evaluation plan for the project based on the indicators in the log-frame and use this plan throughout the project life to collect relevant information that will inform the project.
• Together with the project Engineer monitor the construction work under the project (Police station, street lights and livestock) ensuring that the vendors adhere to the design and BQs and that the work is of high quality.
• Conduct regular visits to VSLA groups and provide continuous coaching.
• Check whether implementing partners/participants are encountering constraints and how these constraints are being addressed

2.3Reporting (20%)

• Prepare reports on each field visit conducted and submit to the report to the Manager.
• Prepare, document and complile into a monthly progress report on project activities.
• Compile project implementation data from assigned area on a monthly basis and submit it to the Manager.
• Prepare case studies and success stories in the course of your work with the project.

2.4General Responsibilities (10%)

• To bring into notice of the Manager discrepancies, serious incidents or any urgent information which may need serious consideration regarding day to day project activities.
• To fulfill any additional assignments as deemed necessary by the organization.

3.0Required Qualifications & Experience;

• Bachelors degree in social sciences
• Minimum 3 years field experience in development projects
• Experience of working with local communities in the region desirable

3.**1 Knowledge and Skills**

• Good knowledge of contemporary development issues
• Ability to transfer skills to other staff
• Outstanding communications skills, and excellent ability to motivate community group to solve problems
• Excellent analytical skills.

3.2Core Values and Critical Competencies

• Willingness to undertake extensive field work in remote communities
• Computer skills including literacy in MicroSoft Word and Excel
• Ability to create and maintain a working environment that will promote value and respect diversity in the implementation process.
• Excellent interpersonal, planning, organizing, communication skills
• Good understanding of gender issues and rights based approaches
• Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain their message.
• Excellent communication, planning, supervisory and interpersonal skills that will enable the identification of opportunities to establish effective strategic relationships between one’s area and others to achieve CARE’s objectives.
• Willingness to work and live under difficult physical and security conditions and the necessary restrictions that this entails Ability to work independently and meet deadlines yet effectively coordinate program activities with other CARE projects being implemented

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications with the subject line clearly marked “Senior Program Officer – Urban Program based in Galdogob-PL, Somalia. An updated CV with a comprehensive summary of similar or comparable work should be attached. It should include three (3) referees and be no more than 4 pages. Complete applications should be sent to somhrgarowe@care.orgby 21 November 2018.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For more information about CARE and its programs, visit www.care.org

CARE is an Equal Opportunity Employer, promoting gender, equity and diversity. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children.