Somalia: Programme Coordinator - Joint Programme on Youth Employment (JPYE)

Organizational Context

The Joint Programme on Youth Employment (JPYE) Programme aims to capitalise on recent security, governance and reconciliation achievements by expanding employment opportunities for young men and women in Somalia. Youth unemployment is one of the greatest obstacles to the country’s economic recovery. This is to be achieved through vocational training, enterprise training and creation and rehabilitation of infrastructure through labour intensive employment methods. The programme recognizes the centrality of youth in fostering stability in the country and outlines specific interventions that can be taken within the next 18 months to begin to generate decent work opportunities for young people that will serve as positive alternatives to participation in violence and conflict. This will also contribute to the revitalization of the local economy. The employment generating interventions from this programme also aim to augment the credibility of the FGS and build trust and confidence in local governance and security sector institutions while providing immediate peace dividends to vulnerable sub-sections of the population.

As encouraged in the New Deal Compact, and its successor arrangement in the Government’s new National Development Plan (NDP), this joint youth employment programme is a frontline intervention of the FGS to achieve rapid results under Peacebuilding and State-building Goal 4 (PSG4 - Economic Foundations), which identifies youth employment through job creation and skills development as one of the most important priority projects over the next two years. The idea of a high-visibility, government-led campaign to mobilize young people in an effort to rebuild (or build anew) critical economic infrastructure remains highly attractive from the perspectives of economic recovery and state building.

The programme aims at creating sustainable job opportunities for youth by addressing the below challenges affecting the labour supply and demand factors.

• The employment situation is bleak for Somali youth, as young people (15-24) struggle to find work, especially in the formal sector. Young Somalis cannot afford unemployment because of the absence of social protection and therefore face underemployed and are occupied in survival activities such as self-employment or as unpaid family workers. They often engage in low-productive and poor quality jobs mostly in the informal economy.

• Somalia's private sector has a serious competitiveness problem, which translates among others into important youth unemployment and a weak export performance. In fact, the main cause of youth unemployment in Somalia appears to be a result of “demand side” factors, i.e. low demand for jobs by companies.

The Joint UN – Federal Government of Somalia Youth Employment Programme recognizes the potential of Somalia’s youth as agents of change for economic growth and social development and will focus on them to build Somalia’s future. In order to addresses the above challenges linked to the labour demand and supply in a holistic way, it combines a range of interventions aimed at addressing the demand for labour by tackling the constraints in sectors/value chains with potential for growth and employment; rehabilitate productive infrastructure through labour-intensive methods thereby generating significant short-term employment opportunities for youth; and enhancing the employability of the youth through market-driven vocational training.

Taking into account the above lessons, the proposed Government and UN Joint Programme will address both demand and supply side measures of the labour market. It has three specific outcomes and aims to produce immediate results in accessible areas while helping build foundations for longer-term economic recovery and employment growth.

• Component 1: Improve the long-term potential for growth, productivity and employment by tackling the key constraints of six value chains in various sectors, including agriculture, fisheries and livestock, leading to 5,000 sustainable jobs.

• Component 2: Enhance the longer-term employability of 20,000 youth (13,000 urban and 7,000 rural) through basic literacy, numeracy and life-skills and vocational and business training in sectors with high growth and employment potential.

• Component 3: Rehabilitate productive infrastructure through short-term jobs for 30,000 youth (16,000 rural and 14,000 urban).

The programme will be led by the Federal Government of Somalia (Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs – MoSLA) with support from UNDP, FAO, ILO and UN-Habitat.

The programme coordinator will provide general technical and operational support, management and coordination of JPYE and will play a critical role in the implementation of the programme, ensuring proper coordination among the project partners and a full and transparent process of communication between government, implementing UN agencies, donors and other stakeholders.

S/he will work impartially with all partners in the JPYE, and will represent and support the programme as a whole, not an individual agency.

The programme coordinator reports directly to the Chair of the JPYE Programme Management Group (PMG), although for administrative purposes will report to the UNDP Deputy Country Director (Programme).

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of key functions:

1. Effective representation and strategic leadership, overall management and advisory support to the joint programme

2. Efficient co-ordination of JPYE activities among the programme agencies

3. Effective supervision, monitoring and evaluation support

4. Effective partnership building, resource mobilization, and communications for the joint programme

5. Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing

6. Ensures effective representation and strategic leadership, overall management and advisory support to the joint programme

• In collaboration with the lead agency, which has ultimate accountability for the overall results to be achieved, manages the implementation of the joint programme and ensures that the programme remains relevant, and is in line with various elements of the programme document including the programme strategies and coordination arrangements set out in the programme document;

• Provides advice to both the Government and Participating UN Organisations on the vision and overall strategic direction of the Joint Programme;

• Establishes, in collaboration with Government, UN and other partners, systems for project planning, implementation, and monitoring in line with the overall UNMPTF SOP;

• Leads the Programme Expert Panels in collaboration with the pillar lead agencies and oversees technical support to the various programme components;

• Supports delivery of the programme outcomes;

• Represent JPYE in fora with Government partners, the UN Country Team, the UN Mission, the SDRF Steering Committee and the PSG4 Working Group and donors as required;

• Provide overall oversight and strategic guidance of the programme, specifically with respect to issues of alignment with strategic priorities (contained in PSG4 of the Somalia Compact, the Economic Recovery Plan and the ISP) and overall technical and institutional coherence;

• Supervises and manages a small team of professional and administrative staff;

2. Provides efficient co-ordination of the Joint Programme activities among the programme agencies

• With support from the Lead Agency, Participating UN Organisations and other partners, coordinates the development and timely preparation of detailed annual work plans and budgets for all programme activities;

• Oversees the disbursement of funds to the Participating UN Organisations through the MPTF, including the setting up of a separate account ledger for the pass-through funding modality;

• Ensure effective implementation of the project in accordance with the 2008 UNDG Guidance Note on Joint Programming, MPTF procedures and the Joint Programme Document

• Provide strategic policy and technical advice, develop support mechanisms for strengthening Government ownership, technical leadership and coordination of the programme, with a view to ensuring the long term sustainability of programme activities

• Devise appropriate strategies and approaches to ensure optimum use of available resources thereby enhancing the impact of project activities

• Maintain transparent and co-operative relations between key project implementation partners, government counterparts, donors and other national and international partners with an active stake in youth employment issues through regular consultations, meetings and effective coordination;

3. Provides effective supervision, monitoring and evaluation support

• Facilitates the achievement of joint programme results by timely monitoring of the progress of programme implementation and ensures on-going monitoring and annual reviews of work plans;

• Coordinates the production, submission to RCO/MPTF and dissemination of annual reports and consolidated results of the joint programme based on progress reports prepared by Participating UN Organisations;

• Monitors the fulfilment of the tasks assigned to the Administrative Agent (MPTF) and Lead Agency (UNDP), in accordance with the joint programme document and the Standard Administrative Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding between the Administrative Agent and the funding partners and Participating UN Organisations respectively;

• Develops and periodically reviews the programme’s M & E plan;

• Reports on risks and risks management;

• Assumes the role of Secretariat of the Joint Programme Steering Committee (SC), works closely with the SC chair and members, preparing the agenda and inputs for SC meetings, assumes responsibility for follow up; supports the Joint Programme Steering Committee actively in its strategic role;

• Facilitate the Programme Technical Committee meetings in accordance with their terms of reference.

• Oversee the implementation of the programme Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and coordinating (independent) mid-term and term evaluations of the JPYE in accordance UN Evaluation Group guidelines

1. Ensures effective partnership building, resource mobilization, and communications for the joint programme

• In collaboration with Participating UN Organisations, provides technical support to the development of relevant advocacy and policy documents;

• Coordinate strategic resource mobilization efforts with respect to downstream funding requirements and the expansion of the project following the completion of the inception phase;

• Coordinates with and ensures linkages and synergies with other Joint Programmes, particularly with regard to capacity development of relevant authorities/institutions;

• Consults with external partners including CSOs engaged in similar/complementary activities to enhance coordination and partnership among stakeholders working in the area;

• Takes an active role in defining the resource mobilisation strategy for the Joint Programme in collaboration with the Participating UN Organisations and the Government;

• Takes an active advocacy role in approaching donors on behalf of the Joint Programme, under the authority of the Lead Agency;

• Promote synergies between the Joint Programme and other relevant projects implemented within the framework of PSG4, including and especially economic development, employment and livelihood initiatives supported by the World Bank, the EU, USAID and DfID

• Strategically guide and manage the establishment of a Programme Management Unit (PMU) and supervise designated staff members and personnel, as appropriate

• Ensure establishment of implementation units at regional level who would work directly with contractors/NGOs working on the ground submitting progress reports to programme management unit.

• Facilitate donor missions and media relations, as appropriate

5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Synthesizes best practices and lessons learned from the Joint Programme for sharing between programme participants as well as external partners;

• Develops briefs on programme achievements and documents, including lessons learned;

• Performs other tasks as assigned by the Joint Programme SC and the Lead Agency.

• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Programme;

• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results

Through the effective performance of the functions, the incumbent is expected to contribute significantly to the efficient and effective achievement of the overall JPYE objectives by the key project partners, namely:

• Enhanced longer-term employability of 20,000 youth (13,000 urban and 7,000 rural)

• Rehabilitated productive infrastructure through short-term jobs for 30,000 youth (16,000 rural and 14,000 urban).

• Improved leadership, strategic direction and overall management of the Joint Programme;

• Improved coordination of the Joint Program and adherence to the expected Joint Program standards;

• Enhanced resource mobilisation for the Joint Programme;

• Improved long-term potential for growth, productivity and employment leading to 5,000 sustainable jobs for youth

• Improved advocacy and partnership building for the joint programme;

• Timely results-based reporting to donors and other stakeholders on the joint programme;

• Enhanced best practices and lessons learned documentation and sharing within the Joint programme;

In addition, it is expected that the incumbent will have a significant impact of the achievement of relevant UNCT goals under the new UN Strategic Framework 2017-2020, PSG4 of the Somalia Compact, and its successor arrangement in the Government’s new National Development Plan (NDP), the strengthening of government and inter-agency cooperation and donors relations.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards

• Promote the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP

• Display cultural, gender, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

• Creates effective advocacy strategies

• Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work

• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration

• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation

• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development

• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda

• Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners

• Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

• Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals

• Generates for regional and innovative ideas and effective solutions to problems

• Looks at experience critically, drawing lessons, and building them into the design of new approaches

• Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations

• Documents successes and uses them to project a positive image

• Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking

• Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor

Resource Mobilization

• Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach

• Identifies and compiles lessons learned

• Promotes and encourages country office action with local missions of donor countries as well as appropriate government authorities for increased contribution to UNDP resources, including cost sharing modalities

• Identifies country needs and develops proposals to be presented to donors and governments

• Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches

• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms

• Effective presentation and report-writing skills; strong analytical and strategic skills as well as good written and oral communications skills.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines

• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally

• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNCT’s Goals

• Creates effective global advocacy messages/strategies

• Contributes to the elaboration of a global advocacy strategy by identifying and prioritizing audiences and messages

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses

• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level

Management and Leadership

• Ability to build strong relationship with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to the feedback

• Approach the work with energy and positive and constructive attitude

• Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities

• Lead the team and provide mentoring to his/her colleagues

• Ability to produce results under a complex and conflict stricken environment

• Strong conflict resolution and change management skills

Client Orientation

• Anticipates client needs

• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider

• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective

• Solicits feedback on service provision and quality

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment

• Self-development, initiative-taking

• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work

• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively

• Creating synergies through self-control

• Managing conflict

• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.

• Informed and transparent decision making

Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Masters degree in economics, development planning or related social science field.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in project management and development, including the co-ordination of complex multi-sector projects, preferably in the economic development and employment field

• At least 5 years’ experience working in developing countries, preferably in Africa or the Arab States

• Experience in post-conflict and/or fragile states.

• Proven ability to deliver results in complex and challenging environments, and to translate strategies and good practices into practical and feasible solutions

• Advanced skills in the usage of computer software packages and web based management systems

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application by visiting: http://jobs.undp.org/ or https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=72043