The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks to hire a Resident Senior Program Officer to implement and oversee a program to provide technical assistance and support to key personnel in the Somali principal offices and ministries central to the implementation of the Somali transitional process.
This program will complement NDI’s ongoing Somalia parliamentary, executive and constitution development programs. The position would be based in Nairobi, Kenya, with travel to Djibouti, Somalia and the broader region. This position is funded for one year with possible extension contingent upon availability of funding. Funding for this position is pending, and would be available April 2010.
Closing date: 29 Aug 2010 Location: Kenya – Nairobi, KE
Background
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 Institutions (TFIs). The Institute has worked with the principal 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 capacities.
The technical assistance program will assist TFI principal offices and critical ministries to develop technical management, administrative and communications skills as well as strengthen the relationship between government officials and civil society. NDI will focus its support to the Somali principal offices and critical ministries on: strengthening human resource management and developing a professional staffing structure, improving communication within and between principal offices, increasing the financial and budget management capabilities of government staff and building administrative capacities to restore transitional institutions into permanent, functional entities.
The technical assistance program will include a wide-range of management, reporting, administrative, operations, functional and security-related activities in coordination with NDI’s current, ongoing country program.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the implementation of program activities including functional expertise, administrative, financial, monitoring and evaluation and reporting, operations and security;
- Provide and organize training sessions for Somalis regarding office management; program implementation and monitoring; assessments and reporting; comparative government structures; Somali-specific government structures and institutions; and intra-governmental communications systems as well as external communication with civil society actors, etc.;
- Identify consultants and experts – international, regional and/or Somali – to assist with the program and oversee their work and activities;
- Develop and/or manage the creation of program materials when needed to facilitate activities, workshops, training sessions, etc;
- Build and maintain relationships with donors, key Somali officials, civil society actors and other stakeholder groups;
- Draft and submit field reports that monitor and measure program performance, results and political developments; and
- Ensure programmatic goals are achieved and operational and reporting requirements are adhered to.
- Implement and manage other program activities as needed.
Experience Required
- Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in International Relations or related subject; graduate degree desired;
- A minimum of six (6) years relevant work experience in international development, community organizing, political campaigns, organizational development, legislative affairs. Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement on a one-for-one basis;
- Living or working experience outside of the U.S. preferred especially in extremely challenging political environments including the Middle East or Africa and/or experience working in conflict or immediate post-conflict environments;
- Knowledge of and comparative experience in legislative and/or executive processes and civic participation;
- Experience developing and implementing governance, media and/or civic participation programs in a fast-paced environment;
- Experience in implementing programs funded by European, USAID and other bi- and multi-lateral donors;
- Ability to communicate skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor and consultant as well as experience in organizing and conducting trainings and workshops;
- Excellent managerial and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional political relationships;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders, and policy makers;
- Excellent oral and written communications skills to effectively present information, respond to questions and negotiate;
- Oral and written fluency in English required;
- Conversational, foreign language ability applicable to region preferred;
- Experience in program design, strategic planning and monitoring and evaluation;
- Proven analytical skills for interpreting complex program and political issues and to think innovatively and introduce new concepts;
- Ability to lead, inspire and motivate staff where results are clearly beneficial;
- Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications with seasoned budget and accounting skills; and
- Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations, which are often remote and difficult to reach.
Comments
The Resident Senior Program Officer will work with the Resident Program Manager for executive programs as well as full- and part-time national staff and will be supported by Nairobi-based regional and Washington-based staff. This position reports to the Resident Country Director in Nairobi. Salary range is commensurate with experience. Benefits and a housing allowance are provided. The position currently is an accompanied post.
NDI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.
How to apply
All applicants must apply by going to this site:
http://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=216984&company_id=15851&jobboardid=479All applicants must apply by going to this site:
