Somalia: National Community Liaison Manager (NCLM)

VACANCY

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) undertaking humanitarian mine action across the world. MAG is operational across Somalia to contribute to the safe social and economic development at the national, regional and local level by reducing the risk presented by remnants of conflict.

MAG is seeking applications for a National Community Liaison Manager (NCLM) who ideally will already reside in South West state in Somalia. The NCLM will provide Community Liaison (CL) support to MAG national implementing partners in Somalia and is line-managed by the Technical Operations Manager (TOM).

Overall purpose of the job

· To assist the Country Director (CD) and Technical Operations Manager (TOM) in ensuring that MAG’s approach to community participation in mine action is integrated into the planning and implementation of programme activities.

· To support the Senior NCLM and the TOM undertake management, training, assessment and monitoring of implementing partners in the field, and make recommendations in areas that need improvement.

· To manage CL field resources and be responsible for the gathering and dissemination of relevant and accurate information to enable informed decision making, maximisation of impact and the achievement of MAG’s vision, mission and key aims.

Principal responsibilities

Technical

· Provide to the TOM research and analysis of relevant socio-economic data generated by implementing partners in order to help prioritise social target groups and geographical areas for Mine Risk Education (MRE) and clearance activities.

· Provide technical support to implementing partners, carry out non- technical survey (NTS) in targeted areas and submit DA reports to National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) for clearance.

· Work with the TOM, Senior NCLM and directors of JUMAN and SOWMAC to plan, prioritise and coordinate all CL activities in order to achieve maximum community participation and understanding during all stages of all CL activities.

· Conduct ongoing liaison with all relevant stakeholders (government, INGOs, national NGOs, mine action centres, the military, health care providers etc.) and establish and maintain networks for information exchange.

· Advise the TOM on safe and effective management of all aspects of CL and related tasks in the country of operation, in accordance with relevant MAG and other Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines, and ensuring that these are consistent with MAG’s policies and mandate.

· Assist the TOM and senior NCLM in conducting training needs assessment in the area of CL especially for implementing partners’ personnel.

· Plan and conduct relevant training activities (as required by TOM) for partner NGO staff where necessary, including Mine/ ERW Risk Education, community mapping, prioritisation, making IMSMA DA reports, participatory learning techniques, communication skills and facilitation skills.

· Support the TOM and Senior NCLM in monitoring and evaluating ongoing performances of implementing partner teams’ activities in the field.

· Assist in the design and implementation of programmes to mitigate the risk of living with remnants of conflict (including both child and adult-oriented risk education programmes)

· Coordinate the on-going evaluation of benefits MAG’s activities have on communities and other relevant stakeholders. Where appropriate, design and apply relevant measurement tools and indicators. Ensure the capture of data on the outcomes and impact of MAG’s work and the communication of this data to relevant internal and external stakeholders.

· Conduct research, develop and maintain an understanding of MAG’s CL approach and its evolution. Where required, undertake recording and documenting of CL resources (photographs, reports, MRE materials, etc)

· Assist and support the CD,TOM and Senior NCLM developing the country programme strategy, plans, proposals and budgets with regards to CL training and operations in line with MAG’s mission and mandate.

· Conduct assessments, including on-site interviews with beneficiaries, and other technical missions on behalf of MAG in country as required by the CD and TOM.

Reporting

· Provide the Senior NCLM and TOM with daily, weekly and monthly reports of the partner team activities.

· Assist the Senior Management Team (SMT) with information for proposal writing and budgeting when required.

· Provide clear and accurate reports to the TOM/CD for donor and HQ purposes.

· Provide to TOM case studies and oral testimonies of the variety of experience of living with conflict and remnants of conflict.

HR

· Support implementing partners in conducting capacity assessment of their CL staff in line with country labour laws (as requested by the CD/TOM)

· Provide ongoing training and support for implementing partners’ staff

General

· Work within the framework of MAG’s core values, promoting its ethos and mission statement.

· Work towards achieving programme business plan objectives

· Keep informed of MAG activities.

· Work as part of a team and liaise with other programmes/HQ to ensure effective communications across the organisation.

· Ensure familiarity with and adhere to all MAG policies and procedures.

· Represent MAG in meetings, networks, seminars and conferences where relevant and beneficial to MAG and its mission and mandate when TOM can’t attend.

· Undertake and apply learning from appropriate training and development programmes.

· Contribute to fundraising initiatives where appropriate.

· Undertake the role in a manner appropriate to the cultural context and within the local legal framework.

· Undertake any other duties appropriate to the post as may be required by the Senior Management Team (SMT).

Person Specification

· Must hold a Somali passport, fluent in both Somali and English

· Experience of working in community and/or educational development activities

· Experience of conducting needs or risk assessments in order to design and implement appropriate interventions

· Experience in the monitoring and evaluation of development projects

· Experience in the design and delivery of formal or informal training and transfer of skills to others

· Experience of participatory research techniques in a working context

Skills and Knowledge

· Strong information management and report writing skills

· Good negotiation skills

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to establish relationships with people from a military, development and community background

· Relevant IT and numeracy skills

· Excellent spoken and written English and Somali language skills

Aptitude

· Ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels internally and externally

· Self-motivated, flexible and enthusiastic approach to work

· Cultural sensitivity and adaptability

· Commitment to MAG’s humanitarian mandate

Desirable

· Previous experience in the humanitarian mine action sector

· Qualifications in a development research or an information management related discipline

· Ability to travel freely in South Central Somalia , Puntland and Somaliland

Interested candidates should send their CV and a cover letter in English explaining his/her experience in relation to the requirements of the role, together with details of three non-related referees via email to Dahir Ashkir: Deputy Base Manager DBM1.Somalia@maginternational.org (include “Post applied for” in the subject line).

Deadline: 15^th August 2017.

We thank all applicants, but only those short listed will be contacted. This post is on a renewable contract basis, subject to donor funding. MAG is an equal opportunities employer and highly encourages all appropriately qualified persons to apply. Any applications submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed.