Summary: NDI has been active in Somalia since late 2005 with programming supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs aimed at building the core governance and parliamentary capacities of the Transitional Federal Parliament and the Transitional Federal Government.
The Institute has worked with the Offices of the President and Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament, political and administrative heads of more than 30 ministries, and nearly 400 members of parliament (MPs) including two-dozen female MPs to develop governance and parliamentary capacities.
With funding from USAID, the program will build the capacity of the Transitional Federal Institutions and independent commissions to develop constitutional-related legislation and engage the Somali public on constitutional issues.
The program will focus on assisting Somalia’s Independent Federal Constitutional Commission (IFCC), Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and relevant parliamentary committees which are tasked with drafting a referendum law to support the broader participatory constitutional development process while working with a broad range of international actors.
The program will also include civic education activities and public outreach including a public opinion research element intended to reflect the will of the populace and the unique political, social and economic circumstances of the region.
The program assistant will support a program officer, program director, and the
regional director in the day-to-day activities of planning, designing and implementing programs related to the constitutional program by performing the duties listed below.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Under supervision and direction, researches or contributes to drafts of proposals, reports, memos, program updates, work plans, and newsletter articles;
- Organizes local and regional program conferences, workshops and meetings;
- Serves as an interpreter from Somali to English and vice-versa in NDI training and workshops;
- Translates documents as needed;
- Provides input on quarterly reports and program proposals;
- Prepares meeting minutes and submits them in a timely manner;
- Monitors political/security developments throughout the country and keeps the team informed accordingly;
- Under supervision, creates initial drafts of budgets; executes small program budgets and reconciles expenditures;
- Provides administrative and logistical support to the program staff;
- Acts as primary support to the program officer, program director, and other team members;
- Assist as needed in identifying local and regional consultants and volunteers for projects;
- With guidance, compiles briefing materials for staff, consultants and volunteers in the program;
- Trains and supervises interns on basic programmatic and administrative tasks; and
- Carries out other tasks as requested by the program officer or program director.
Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree in International relations, Law, Social or Political Sciences ;
- Minimum three (3) years of experience with international organizations. Relevant work experience with legislatures/government and organizing conferences, training, and workshops preferred;
- Work experience as an interpreter in training or workshops strongly preferred;
- Excellent translation and interpretation skills from English to Somali and Somali to English;
- Excellent analytical skills and knowledge on the political and security situation in Somalia;
- Ability to effectively and appropriately handle stressful working conditions;
- Very good interpersonal skills;
- Openness to work effectively and without bias with all communities in Somalia;
- Proven capacity to meet program goals while managing administrative responsibilities;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively present information in a clear and concise manner in English;
- Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications; and
- Ability to travel and work outside Kenya.
This is a National position and all non Kenya applicants must hold valid work permit/document
You may submit your application online to kssadmin@ndi.org -with SOMALIA PA as the subject not later than. July 2nd 2010..
