Somalia: Program Manager

The Nordic International Support Foundation (NIS) is a Norwegian-registered non-profit organization engaged in stabilization and reconciliation initiatives in conflict and post-conflict areas. Our primary areas of intervention are institutional development, public service delivery, and conflict resolution. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, NIS recently finalized a project in Sri Lanka and currently implements projects in Somalia, Myanmar, and the Sahel.

NIS Somalia is currently implementing a wide range of stabilization projects in South Central and Puntland with plans to expand in to new areas. The organization has offices in Mogadishu, Baidoa and operational presence in Galkacyo, Kismayu, Jowhar, Balad, Baardheere, Barawe, Lasanod, Buurhakaba, WajidAbudwaq and Beledweyn in Hiiraan.

The position holder reports to the Program and Technical Director of NIS Somalia. The person will work closely with the Programme and Technical Director and project staff across all the different departments in the preparation of progress and final report for donors.

1.Role and responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

The main purpose of the Program Manager for RNE Bilateral Stabilization Prorgam Program is to oversee, manage the implementation of the Royal Norwegian Embassy funding project for the Stabilization Program and ensure efficient grant administration for the country programme while at the same time supporting the Program and Technical Director in all other programmatic task.

REPORTING TO

The position holder reports to the Program and Technical Director. The person will work closely with the Head of sub-offices, Security and Political Coordinator and all program staff.

Generic responsibilities

• The responsibilities of the Program Manager for the RNE Stabilization Program include:

· To oversee, manage Royal Norwegian Embassy funded project and ensure efficient grant administration for the country programme.

· Monitor the activities to ensure adherence to strategies objectives and plans of the organization.

· Adherence to NIS policies and donor requirements.

· Training and development of the program staff in the NIS Country office on programs.

· Monitor and evaluate the local security and political situation in the program areas

· Monitor the budgets of the RNE Stabilization Program.

Specific responsibilities

Programme Planning, Development, coordination and Management

· Develop and coordinate with other NIS activities in the Somalia by ensuring the project is in line with plans, strategies, policies and donor requirements.

· Develop area based strategies, concept papers and situation analysis especially in the changing political and security context.

· Develop the NIS Country office and area programs/strategy in collaboration with the country representative and ensure quality implementation and documentation of the program.

· Coordination and quality control of project applications (incl. budgets) developed by projects staffs ensuring project budget adherence at all times.

· Develop good network and ensure close cooperation with local administrations both at district and regional level. Work also with line ministries regional focal persons.

· Ensure quality implementation strategies at the field level by liaising with respective sector staffs and adhered to specific time frames. And also ensuring optimal use of financial resources in the programme, incl. project budget adherence.

· Ensure organizational project monitoring mechanism are in place and used round the project periods with specific consideration to adherence to financial policy.

· Preparation of required reports to the country office, donors, authorities, as well as quality control of project specific reports produced by NIS´s project personnel

· Ensure that NIS´s programme activities do not overlap with other stability actors in the region.

Personnel Management

· Performance management of staff reporting directly to the Program Manager is done regularly on the specified performance period.

· Ensure program staff adhere to their respective Job descriptions, reporting lines and their respective responsibilities are clear to them.

· Ensure the spirit of team work, by optimizing available human resource as well as ensuring promotion are done on the bases of competence. Work closely with program staff and identify relevant trainings to improve projects delivery.

· Report to the CR, any violations of NIS’s Personnel policies and Code of Conduct

· Enhance honest and constructive feedback to staff at all levels by active use of performance management tools and systems.

· Staying updated on all relevant political and policy issues related to the country and the region.

Security

• Work closely with the Security and Political in analyzing the context of the program areas.
• Review weekly and monthly security reports that have implication on NIS program activities or have implication on the security and stability context in the Somalia.
• Ensuring that NIS staff adheres to NIS´s security rules and guidelines at all times.
• Cooperate with the authorities, United Nations and other relevant/appropriate agencies for updates on security issues in the area.

Critical interfaces

By interfaces, NIS means processes and projects that are interlinked with other departments/units or persons. Relevant interfaces for this position are:

· Country Representative

· Program & Technical Director

· Head of Sub Offices.

· All Project staff.

· Security Focal Point.

2.Competencies

1.Professional competencies

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

Generic professional competencies:

· Minimum 5 years of experience from working as a Project or Support Manager in a humanitarian/recovery context

· Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts

· Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile

· Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities

· Fluency in English, both written and verbal

· Valid driver’s license

Context/Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

· Knowledge of the political situation in Somalia and/or Horn of Africa region

· Proficiency in the Arabic and/or Somali languages an asset

· Knowledge of UN system, EU system and experience with field level coordination with UN organizations, INGOs, donors and authorities

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit online applications only according to the following procedure:

· Send an application letter and an updated CV, which should include contact information for three work-related references.

· Applications that do not meet the above requirements will be disregarded.

· Hand delivered applications will no longer be accepted.

· Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Send your application on recruitment.somalia@nis-foundation.org