The primary aim of the British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) is reducing poverty. DFID Somalia is responsible for the delivery of DFID's development and humanitarian assistance and policy work in Somalia.
There is very high UK cross-Whitehall interest in Somalia, due in particular to concerns over terrorism, regional conflict and piracy. Somalia is currently one of the top priorities in Africa for the UK Government, as well as for international partners such as the US.
Closing date: 12 Jul 2010 Location: Kenya - Nairobi
1. Background
The primary aim of the British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) is reducing poverty. DFID Somalia is responsible for the delivery of DFID's development and humanitarian assistance and policy work in Somalia. There is very high UK cross-Whitehall interest in Somalia, due in particular to concerns over terrorism, regional conflict and piracy.
Somalia is currently one of the top priorities in Africa for the UK Government, as well as for international partners such as the US. DFID Somalia staff work closely with the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other government departments on Somalia; we expect this close working relationship to increase with the arrival of the new UK Special Representative for Somalia.There is very high UK cross-Whitehall interest in Somalia, due in particular to concerns over terrorism, regional conflict and piracy. Somalia is currently one of the top priorities in Africa for the UK Government, as well as for international partners such as the US.
Closing date: 12 Jul 2010 Location: Kenya - Nairobi
1. Background
The primary aim of the British Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) is reducing poverty. DFID Somalia is responsible for the delivery of DFID's development and humanitarian assistance and policy work in Somalia. There is very high UK cross-Whitehall interest in Somalia, due in particular to concerns over terrorism, regional conflict and piracy.
Somalia represents a major challenge and opportunity for DFID, with our work there critically important to DFID’s commitment to fight poverty and conflict in fragile states. Chronic poverty, the absence of a central state, the lack of access by internationals because of security concerns, a 19-year conflict, and a constantly changing political dynamic make it one of the most challenging development environments in the world.
The Somalia aid framework for 2010/11 is £26m. The programme regularly spends more than its framework as a result of additional resources from outside the country framework, largely to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Somalia.
Somalia has received an average of $200m per year since 2000 from the international community. DFID's programme framework increased from £3.1m in 2002/03 to £30.5m in 2009/10 (plus some funds from the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool), and including significant additional humanitarian funding in-year. Humanitarian assistance is approximately £8.5 million this year although it is likely that additional funding will be approved.
The Secretary of State has approved progrmming for 2010/11 focusing on governance and peace building; sustainable employment, health and education; humanitarian assistance and making the international effort more effective.
2. Organisational Position
The jobholder is a C1 staff member of the DFIDKS Somalia Team, which contributes to the delivery of DFID’s development programme in Somalia. The jobholder will provide administrative support to the Governance and Peace Building Section, and/or other sections within the team. Line Management rests with the Deputy Programme Manager Somalia.
The post may involve specific responsibility for a number of selected projects as well as programme management responsibilities within the overall team that will be agreed upon appointment, e.g. inputs to DFID’s financial and reporting system (ARIES), maintenance of financial forecasts for the Section, management of departmental and project invoices, preparation of contracts and associated negotiation skills, and preparation of grant agreements in line with relevant guidance
3. Main Activities
As a member of the Somalia Governance and Peace Building Section, main activities will involve taking forward all stages of project cycle management. The post holder will need to be enthusiastic, self-starting, quick thinking and motivated as they will be called upon to assist with a wide range of issues that arise within the Team.
The jobholder will ensure that programmes are managed effectively and in accordance with DFID rules and procedures contained in DFID’s procedures manual. DFID is the lead donor for governance and peace building across the international community.
The post holder will, in liaison with the lead adviser, work closely with our partners:
- Assist with management of the Somalia governance and peace building project portfolio – and other programmes in the Somalia programme as appropriate. This may involve commenting on proposals, providing inputs to first drafts of submissions recommending support, issuing project documentation such as Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) / accountable grants / no cost extensions, monitoring progress, dealing with day-to-day problems / requests, coordinating annual reviews, processing payments in line with DFID’s principles and guidance, passing for payment within set time-frames and maintaining accurate financial forecasts, in lines with DFID’s forecasting requirements.
- Participation in internal sector discussions and policy and resource plans as appropriate; and representing DFID, with or on behalf of lead advisers, in external meetings, ensuring follow up of meeting actions.
- In consultation with colleagues as appropriate, filter incoming project proposals, and draft routine correspondence including responses to requests for funding
- Ensure electronic copies of all final documents are saved on Quest EDRM (DFID’s electronic filing system)
- Maintain and update register of DFID assets and carry out spot checks of assets held by projects
- On occasion, arrange team meetings, visitor bookings, save documents to Quest and print large/complex attachments
- Carry out any additional tasks requested of team members
- Contribute to coherent team working
- Acquire sufficient knowledge of work across the Team to be able to provide cover and inform discussions
- Contribute to the success of DFID Somalia by attending office meetings, in-days, managing work/life balance and meeting informally with other teams in the office to share, maintain and develop positive working relationships.
4. Contacts and Communication
Within DFID Kenya & Somalia, the jobholder is in regular contact with staff from C1 to A1 as well as staff from HQ in London and East Kilbride.
Externally, the jobholder will work closely and be in regular contact with our partners, Project Managers, who are responsible for implementing DFID projects, other senior managers of organisations and NGOs that we work with.
5. Key Competences
High levels of the following core competences are required in this post:
Within DFID Kenya & Somalia, the jobholder is in regular contact with staff from C1 to A1 as well as staff from HQ in London and East Kilbride.
Externally, the jobholder will work closely and be in regular contact with our partners, Project Managers, who are responsible for implementing DFID projects, other senior managers of organisations and NGOs that we work with.
5. Key Competences
High levels of the following core competences are required in this post:
- Planning and delivery of work to meet objectives, often within tight deadlines, is essential. Key will be the ability to manage pressure and be able to deliver quickly under minimal supervision. The ability to take effective and timely action, and to plan and deliver work to meet objectives whilst achieving value for money is essential.
- It will be essential to have well developed skills in analysis and use of information combined with good judgement.
- S/he will be effective in communication, able to present ideas orally, be an effective writer and be able to influence at all levels.
- Ability to work well with others, interacting in a supportive way, and working constructively to build relationships (internal and external) to achieve objectives. The post holder should be able to work effectively with senior partners/stakeholders and gain their respect for their professionalism.
- Demonstration of the ability to manage change will also be desirable.
Please send an email to jobskenya@dfid.gov.uk requesting for an application from.
NB: This is a temporary post for a duration of 6 months (starting August 2010) though with an option of further extension for another 6 months.
