Somalia: Chief of Party

Chief of Party

Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland with frequent travel to South Central and Puntland

Application Deadline: 20 June 2016

Starting Date: 1 October 2016

Salary: Competitive with an attractive benefits package

Background

RET International is seeking to fill the following positions in anticipation of a five-year USAID-funded post-primary education and empowerment project for in and out-of-school adolescents and youth in Somalia. The new project aims at improving enrolment and learning outcomes in secondary schools as well as increase access to post primary education. The project will also improve liaison with Ministry of Education and other local stakeholders in training and improving education and shall support access to opportunities for youth to contribute productively to society.

RET International (www.theRET.org), headquartered in Geneva, with offices around the world, was founded in December 2000 by Ms. Sadako Ogata, then United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in response to a crying but barely addressed need for greater access to and quality of post-primary education for refugees, returnees and the internally displaced. At RET we are committed to assist communities to meet the educational needs, in the broadest sense, of young people made vulnerable by displacement, violence, armed conflict and disasters. RET International is an independent, impartial, non-partisan organisation and with no religious or political affiliation. RET International has strategic alliances with UNHCR, UNESCO – IBE, etc.

Summary of Position

The Chief of Party will report to the Regional Director based in Nairobi and Deputy Chief of Operations based in Geneva. S/he will be responsible for providing overall leadership in the implementation of the post-primary education interventions through application of innovative strategies.

The COP will responsible for technical leadership to the project and provide requisite management and strategic vision in the implementation and ensures that resources are applied to meet the objectives and stays within the budget.

Major Tasks and Responsibilities

To implement RET’s strategy and programme in a timely, effective and efficient manner in Somalia;

To monitor programme progress and quality, and ensure adherence to organisational and internationally recognised standards of implementation (particularly the INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies, Chronic Crises and Early Reconstruction);

To produce quality narrative and financial reports; Ensure the coherence and effective co-ordination of the programme in close co-ordination with the local authorities, UNHCR, UNICEF and other education partners;

To represent the RET to the home country governments, including the Ministry of Education, other ministries, the local administration, and to the UN agencies to ensure positive relations and potential future funding;

To coordinate, harmonise and link the work of the implementing partners when applicable;

To ensure the monitoring and evaluation of the programme including the identification of needs and gaps;

To write project proposals (narrative and financial) to address the identified needs;

To be responsible for recruitment, performance management and staff development. This will include ensuring that all staff members have performance objectives and are managed according to performance;

To coordinate activities of the Administration and Finance staff and of all the field staff to ensure implementation and administration programme activities are harmonised.

Requirement & Qualifications

The COP will be required to have Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree preferred) in Education, social science, sociology, political science or any other related field, preferably with specialization in youth affairs, conflict studies and/or peace-building; a minimum of ten (10) years of program management experience, including education project design and overall implementation.

Proven knowledge of the Somali Education will be added advantage.

The COP will be required to have experience working with local level actors including government representatives, public institutions and civil society organizations as well a wealth of experience working with adolescents and youth.

The COP will be required to have strong management skills coupled with requisite leadership qualities and proven ability to negotiate multiple relationships with donors and various actors, preferably in USAID funded projects.

The COP will be required to possess creative problem solving skills, excellent interpersonal and networking skills as well as deep understanding on cultural sensitivities ability to adapt and show capacity to work under pressure, meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks simultaneously and show a high level of flexibility.

S/he must have English language proficiency both spoken and written. Somali language proficiency desirable.

Only online applications will be considered. Please send a cover letter/letter of application, resume, salary requirements and projected start date, by 20 June 2016 with the subject heading: “Chief_of_Party” to: ret.somalia.recruitment@gmail.com

Please, include the name and contact of at least two references.