Country: Somalia
Closing date: 14 Mar 2014
BACKGROUND
The UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralised Service Delivery is a Programme of ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-HABITAT and UNICEF and in its second 5 year phase 2013 - 2017. The Programme is aligned to the International, national development frameworks and UN programming framework outcomes that local governance contributes to peace and equitable priority service delivery in selected locations.
Overall objective: Local governance contributes to peace, development and equitable service delivery
Outcome 1: Policy and legal frameworks are improved to enable local governments to deliver equitable services.
Outcome 2: Local government capacity for equitable service delivery is improved.
Outcome 3: Local governments are accountable and responsive to community priorities in providing equitable and sustainable services and promoting local economic development.
To achieve this, the programme outcomes are structured around three mutually reinforcing strategies:
- Supporting policy and legislative reforms for functional, fiscal and administrative decentralization that clarify and enhance the role of local government, its relation¬ship to central government, and as a means to improve local service delivery: Outcome 1 will focus on policy and legal frame¬works across Somalia and is initially designed to address weaknesses in current laws on decentralization in Somaliland and Puntland. These provide an incomplete account of the responsibilities and functions to be devolved to local government, ignore the fiscal implications and lack supporting regulations for imple¬mentation. These issues need to be clarified in order to resolve disputes between central line agencies and districts, and to provide a stronger foundation for local governments to move forward;
- Improving local government capacity for equitable service delivery: Outcome 2 aims to address the weak capacity of most local authorities in Somalia by providing a comprehensive package of training and technical support covering basic elements of local adminis¬tration. It also seeks to improve coordination between districts and the centre in planning and programming to ensure better consistency and use of resources. A third output is concerned with increasing locally generated revenues and streng¬thening the role and coverage of the LDF; and,
- Improving and expanding the delivery of sustainable services to citizens in an equit¬able, responsive and socially accountable manner and promoting local economic environment: Outcome 3 focuses on improving the delivery of local services. This is to be achieved by collaborating more closely with central line departments, engaging more directly with non-state providers, and enhancing the accountability of local governments to their constituents. Another element relates to strengthening the local economy, promoting private investment and enterprise, and creating more and better job opportunities.
ILO responsibilities in the Joint Programme relate to:
1. (Local) Economic development
2. Employment intensive infrastructure investment planning and delivery
INTRODUCTION
Under the JPLG the ILO has adopted an integrated approach linking local economic development and enhanced governance with the aim of contributing to confidence and peace building efforts through local economic development and sustainable employment creation in Somalia (Somaliland, Puntland and South Central Somalia). This approach enages diverse stakeholder in strategic dialogues to understand and address complex and uncertain challenges of economic growth and employment in Somalia mainly at the decentralised level but with clear messages to be taken forward at central government.
Reporting lines:
The Economic Development Technical Adviser works with the technical guidance of ILO’s Enterprise Development Specialist and under the overall supervision of JPLG Project Manager. This position will be based in Hargeisa (50%) with travel missions to Garowe (30%) and Mogadishu (20%), dependent on security.
Description of Duties
With the direct technical guidance of the ILO Enterprise Development Specialist, the Economic Development Technical Specialist will be responsible for ensuring smooth operations of the Local Economic Development component of the JPLG. He/she will:
A. Provide technical quality input to Local Economic Development (LED) research, planning and implementation by:
1. Coordinating LED and enterprise-related assessments and diagnosis through provision of data tools and formulation of methodologies;
2. Provide technical guidance, backstopping and mentoring to LED institutions in improving LED strategic framework, planning and implementation support for the delivery of services that foster and support business and job rich (local) economic growth;
3. Provide technical assistance to the LED institutions at the local, regional and centre in formulating, coordinating and implementing LED strategies in a way that aligns with districts and national development plans; and
4. Establish mechanisms that allow for more systematic and informed interaction, synergy and collaboration between the public sector, the private sector and other developmental actors in addressing key economic development issues.
5. Building on ILO’s global institutional knowledge, ensure the organization is seen as the first point of enquiry on all local economic approaches
i. Take forward inventory of various approaches used by international actors to undertake local economic development
ii. Establish coordination mechanisms and, in line with C, support the development and management role of Somali institutions taking forward local economic development related work
B. Ensure provision and implementation of high quality policy and capacity building advice services to local and central governments as well as civil society to establish basic systems and processes for local economic development, focusing on the following tasks:
6. Support the development of LED capacity building programme, anchored in national, regional (and local) capacity development strategies and plans, which enhances the capabilities of local governments, private sector and civil society organizations, notably reputable tertiary education establishments, to enhance local competitiveness, growth, innovation, networking and foster employment creation;
7. Serve as a lead technical resource person for the provision of technical assistance and capacity building initiatives to effective LED implementation at both local and national level, and when required, support and oversee work of technical specialist;
8. Establish public-private mechanisms and dialogues as a central pillar for local economic development strategies which are grounded in strong representative capacities of local stakeholders;
9. Initiate and support for legal and regulatory reforms that facilitate the formation and growth of enterprises, with a particular focus on small and medium sized enterprises including the promotion of cooperatives, and business associations and other forms of collective social enterprise;
10. Ensure the development and implementation of innovative schemes for local businesses while making local government units more business friendly;
11. Provide guidance to the local government units and relevant private and tertiary sectors in mapping of local economic strength and opportunities to prioritize the levels of support to local capacity development;
12. Supervise and provides substantive day-to-day technical guidance to LED team members in the field for effective LED implementation; and
13. Promote the development of common standards, train local institutions and specialist in the respective regions to institutionalise the LED approach.
C. Lead the establishment of LED institutions and partnerships with government counterparts, private sectors, CSOs/NGOs and other development partners and support knowledge building mechanisms for greater impact and sustainability of LED framework, focusing on the following tasks:
14. Establish, and strengthen, the local economic development institutions and networks and provide LED actors with a platform to advance LED concerns, share knowledge, coordinate activities and contribute to the overall planning and implementation of interventions;
15. Design an integrated economic development approach which enhances the ability of the stakeholders to manage and monitor interventions allowing in-built ownership and sustainability;
16. Ensure operationalization of local economic development forums providing strategic support for capacity building and advising on possibilities for partnership and resources mobilization;
17. Develop economic development performance indicators/success criteria, targets and milestones; and
18. Provide technical assistances to institutions supporting facets of local economic development in facilitating linkages of private sector, financial institutions, aid agencies, CSOs/CBOs/NGOs, including religious groups and traditional institutions with local governments for local economic development efforts initiated.
19. Build networks between relevant actors facilitating sharing of lessons and ensuring complementarity of all approaches
Required Qualifications
Education
o A Master’s degree in Economics, Local Governance, Social sciences or Business Administration
o A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Finance/Business Administration, Economics, Enterprise/Business Development or equivalent from a recognized institution of higher learning with appreciable demonstrable on-the-job learning
Experience
At least 5 years of working experience in leadership role in implementation of projects in the fields of economic development, skills development and/or enterprise development. Knowledge of local governments in fragile setting is desirable. Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures a plus.
Languages
Excellent command of English. Good knowledge of written and spoken Somali is an added advantage.
Competencies
o Strong report writing skills allied with demonstrable communication skills using all forms of media.
o Strong analytical skills.
o Ability to provide policy advice on national development frameworks on economic development.
o Capacity to work in an independent and self-responsible manner taking authoritative technical decisions independently.
o Experience in project cycle management, from project design through to monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes and impact with reports, studies and technical documents produced containing recommendations and justifications of recommendations for specific courses of action related to local economic development.
o Experience in results-based programming, including cascading of country strategy outcomes and outputs down to the level of technical cooperation programmes. The incumbent should be able to serve as lead senior technical specialist for the three Somalia administrative and manage technical activities focussing on high-level technical and policy advisory services on Local economic development.
Capability to distance manage people, processes and results
o Capacity to quickly adapt to fast changing local context and a wide array of local stakeholders with different needs.
o Ability to work in inter-cultural and multidisciplinary teams.
o In-depth knowledge of the Somalia political economy.
o Knowledge of joint UN programming processes.
o Understanding of the ILO Somalia Decent Work Agenda, and the ILO sustainable enterprise strategy framework.
o Ability to swiftly learn and contribute to Somali frameworks: New Deal Compact (with special arrangement for Somaliland), Economic Recovery Plan, Stabilisation planning, Somaliland’s Employment Strategy, 5 year plan and Vision 2030.
o Ability to coordinate large projects e.g. regional projects and coordinating activities among projects.
o Demonstrated technical expertise to devise new methods, concepts, approaches and techniques, leading to development of ILO standards and technical guidelines. A track record of publications on enterprise development subjects, including the publication of training materials, newsletter articles and working documents will be an added advantage.
o Knowledge of ILO administrational and contractual modalities is an added advantage
Open to all nationals, Somali Nationals are encouraged to apply.
How to apply:
All applications should be sent via email to: hrsomalia@ilo.org with the subject title: Economic Development Technical Adviser no later than 4.00 pm on Friday 14th March 2014.