I. Background :

Somaliland is home to an exceptionally rich and diverse cultural heritage. Among its jewels, the Laas Geel caves stand out, bearing witness to the region’s prehistoric history through thousand-year-old cave paintings. Numerous other archaeological sites are scattered throughout the territory.

Despite the challenges posed by its unrecognized political status, Somaliland is committed to preserving this precious cultural heritage.

Two components will implement these objectives: (i) technical assistance for the protection of Somaliland’s heritage and (ii) activities to protect and enhance the Laas Geel site. For this purpose, a grant will be awarded by the Agence Française de Développement to Expertise France. The project will be implemented in conjunction with Somaliland’s Ministry of Trade and Tourism, and will closely involve local communities.

The 30-month project aims to ensure the long-term preservation of Somaliland’s heritage, while fostering local economic development and the promotion of local cultural heritage, with priority given to the Laas Geel site.

– Specific objective 1: Strengthen local and institutional capacities for heritage protection;

– Specific objective 2: Protect, conserve and promote the Laas Geel site in an inclusive manner;

– Specific objective 3: Raise awareness and involve the local population in the management and preservation of Laas Geel’s cultural and tourist heritage.

II. Job description:

The position is attached to the Culture and Heritage division (ATCP), within Expertise France’s “Sustainable and Inclusive Economy” department.

Reporting line: project leader deployed in Hargeisa, head of the ATCP division at headquarters.

Functional links: Project manager, project assistant and various support services at head office.

The position is based in Hargeisa, with occasional travel to Laas Geel.

Under the supervision of the Project leader based in Somaliland and the head of the ATCP division based in Paris, the Administrative & Financial Manager will assist the Project leader in the overall management and monitoring of the project’s implementation.

This is Expertise France’s first project in Somaliland, so there are major administrative and financial issues involved in setting up our project team (opening a cash office, setting up the office, etc.). This position therefore requires a certain degree of agility on a day-to-day basis.

The following list of tasks is not exhaustive. The project leader will have to work on all these aspects in close coordination with the mission leader, the consultants mobilized by Expertise France and the relevant sectoral departments, where applicable.

PROJECT ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT

• Manage the administrative aspects of files linked to the operational implementation of the project and its activities;
• Assist with documentary research, manage standard secretarial tasks;
• Participate in the preparation of calls for tender and public contracts/subsidies where appropriate;
• Participate in expert recruitment processes;
• Draw up expertise and service contracts;
• Verify the compliance of service providers using the internal compliance tool.

PROJECT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Manage the opening of a local caisse and associated procedures, in liaison with DAF support services;
• Monitor project expenditure, and manage commitments and payments in dedicated management IT applications;
• Verify the conformity of field expenditure vouchers, invoices and reimbursements relating to expert missions, and monitor advances and their balances;
• Ensure compliance with monthly reporting procedures requested by head office;
• Prepare or contribute to the preparation of financial reports requested by the donor (consolidation) and internal accounting and budgetary exercises (closing, etc.) in collaboration with the project manager, project assistant, financial support services at head office and the project manager;
• Support the preparation and conduct of audits, in conjunction with the project manager and financial support departments;
• Verify and consolidate field cash and bank journals;
• Keep existing management charts up to date;
• Verify commitments (grant agreements, contracts and agreements, purchase orders).

SUPPORT AND QUALITY CONTROL

• Support the project manager to ensure compliance with deadlines and overall schedule;
• Support the project manager in monitoring and respecting technical and financial contractual commitments;
• Support the project manager in ensuring the quality of deliverables (technical and financial reports, procedures, etc.);
• Identify risks and propose corrective measures, and pass them on to line management.

III. Qualifications, skills and experience

• University degree in administrative and financial management, law, development or administration;
• At least 3 years’ successful experience in a similar position, preferably in the field of solidarity and/or international cooperation;
• Excellent command of office automation tools, particularly Excel and Word;
• Good command of written and spoken English; French would be an asset ;
• Legal skills would be an asset;
• Ability to adapt, sense of organization and anticipation;
• Excellent organizational skills and thoroughness;
• Reactivity, autonomy – teamwork;
• Good writing and interpersonal skills.

Start date: March 2024

Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland

Remuneration: full-time, 24 months.