Somalia: Special Assistant to ROLSIG Director

Vacancy reference no.: VAC-0127

Position: Special Assistant to ROLSIG Director

Place of performance: Mogadishu, Somalia

Contract duration: up to 12 months

Starting date: 1-Jul-2016

OVERVIEW OF CTG GLOBAL

CTG support and manage humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world. With past performance in 15 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and Central and South America – we offer a holistic fabric of project management, implementation and support. Skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, we have the ability to act quickly (crisis response teams can be on the ground in 24 hours) and to establish structured operations in high-risk environments. CTG recruit and manage qualified, skilled teams with extensive experience operating in challenging conditions.

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION

• Project - EMSA (Explosive Management Support to AMISOM) . The parent project of UNMAS Somalia. The primary role is providing tactical, operational and technical advice on a broad range of counter-IED activities and explosive management (clearance, stockpiling, disarming and disposal).

GENERAL FUNCTIONS

Role objective:

• Planning and Organising - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently

• Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

• Commitment to Continuous Learning - Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; Shows willingness to learn from others; Seeks feedback to learn and improve

Expected output:

• Research, analyse and report on information to the Director of UNSOM’s Rule of Law and Security Institutions Group (ROLSIG). He/she will monitor and update on security and safety matters related to day-to-day and broader operations, ensuring that the Director is aware of UN policy and strategy, and able to integrate these strategic directives into operations.

IV. Scope of work / expected output

• Analyses information contained in communications and publications received from different sources, including the press; maintains up-to-date knowledge of events relating to the remit of the office in a specified area or subject matter;

• Prepares minutes, reports, briefing notes, background papers and talking points for meetings and other events;

• Prepares summaries, correspondence, notes, memoranda, and drafts a variety of correspondence;

• Prepares responses to queries on behalf of the Director and edits and ensures the quality of outgoing documents submitted for the Director's review and approval;

• Responds to requests for information (verbal and written) from a range of sources with respect to operational issues;

• Creates systems to track project progress and provides up-to-date information on the functioning of the Group, brings problems and issues to the attention of the Director and assist in formulating options and solutions to address them;

• Ensures that the schedule of the Director is organized and that relevant documentation is prepared efficiently and in a timely manner;

• Attends meetings and prepare minutes, as required;

• Keeps the Director informed about all matters requiring his personal attention, assists in formulating options as to how those matters might be handled, and ensures appropriate follow-up, as directed;

Project reporting:

Participates in and supports the organization and management of the Director’s missions into Mogadishu and the Regions, including coordination of travel, preparing talking points, background notes and summaries, and conducts follow-up activities, as appropriate;

• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with mission components, the authorities, civil society, the broader UN family, donors and other national and international partners on coordination and policy matters.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Team management: To be advised.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

Education:

§ Bachelor's degree in Political Affairs.

Work experience:

§ Minimum of 2 years of demonstrable relevant Political Reform experience.

Geographical experience:

§ Local experience in Mogadishu is an advantage.

Languages:

§ Fluency in English is essential.

Key competencies:

• Planning and Organising - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently

• Client Orientation - Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep; informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client

• Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

• Judgement/Decision-making - Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary. Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary

• Commitment to Continuous Learning - Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; Shows willingness to learn from others; Seeks feedback to learn and improve

Other relevant information:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in the field of international relations, political science, public policy, conflict or security studies or related field; or

• First level university degree combined with 4 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, security sector reform, judicial affairs or policy analysis, including specialist support to a senior manager;

• Experience in complex humanitarian and/or development programmes in one or more countries;

• Knowledge of the UN system is highly desirable.

Interested candidates should create a profile and apply on CTG Global careers website (click here**). Please refer to the vacancy number: VAC-0127.** Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.