Background Information
About the JICA Project Youth Employment Project for Somalia (YEPS)
On September 2017, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), being the bilateral development agency of Japan, signed a Record of Discussions with the Government of the Federal Government of Somalia, for the Youth Employment Project for Somalia (YEPS), a technical cooperation project. The project will support the formulation of development plans for industries that create employment opportunities and a human resource development plan toward advancing youth employment in Somalia. The project will also provide human resource training for trainers of educational and vocational training agencies and for start-up and existing companies in the private sector. With long-running conflict in Somalia since 1991, the state has not adequately protected the socially vulnerable. Among the challenges faced is that adequate employment opportunities are not being provided to the young under 30, who comprise approximately 70 percent of the population. As a result of inadequate work, some young people have turned to piracy and armed rebel organizations to obtain food for daily living. It is therefore urgent that the government takes the lead by formulating a policy to improve the environment that supports youth employment and entrepreneurship. Building on the outcome of the Youth Employment Baseline Study for Somalia, which was carried out by JICA from 2013 to 2015, the project is the first technical cooperation in Somalia in 26 years, since 1991. It is expected that the project will improve the environment supporting youth employment and entrepreneurship and create more job opportunities for the youth in Somalia in the future.
Summary Assignment
The selected candidate will assist the implementation of JICA YEPS project under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing (MoPWRH). The selected candidate will be required to closely work with Japanese consultants, who will be based in Kenya or Japan, JICA Kenya Office as well as other MIDA advisors dispatched under the JICA YEPS project. The selected candidate will support the implementation, coordination and monitoring of project activities such as training activities in third countries, Japan possibly in Somalia and be required collect/analyze the necessary information for JICA YEPS project activities. The selected candidate also will support the formulation of Construction and Architecture/Civil Engineering sector policy/strategic plans that will be drafted by the line ministries and the coordination for JICA YEPS project.
III. Activities / Key Results Expected
Activities / Key Results Expected;
Under the overall guidance of the Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing and YEPS project, the Architecture/Civil Engineering Advisor will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
Description of the assignment:
The selected candidate will:
v Support the MoPWRH to identify the potential activities of Construction and Architecture/Civil Engineering industries that contribute to creating more job opportunities for the youth in close communication/collaboration with Japanese consultant team of JICA YEPS project and other concerned ministries;
v Provide technical inputs to the Construction and Architecture/Civil Engineering sector policy/strategic plans, including the human development plans for the Construction and Architecture/Civil Engineering sectors, which would be prepared by the line ministries from the view point of the development of promising industries in order to create more job opportunities for the youth;
v Support dissemination and formalization of the drafted Construction and Architecture/Civil Engineering sector policy/ strategic plans;
v Collect and analyze necessary information for JICA YEPS project activities and share it with recipient ministries and JICA YEPS Project particularly in terms of Construction and Architecture/Civil Engineering sector’s industry development, technology and youth employment promotion;
v Assist administrative procedures of training programs to be conducted in the third countries, Japan and possibly Somalia implemented under the JICA YEPS Project;
v Provide policy and technical advice to MoPWRH and relevant ministries/ institutions with view to generate employment opportunities for youth;
v Ensure the flow of communication between the Japanese consultant team assigned by JICA, other MIDA advisors and their recipient ministry.
v Assists the MoPWRH in preparation of architectural designs, calculations, designs and drawings technical documents and specifications for the construction of Government Institutions and other construction projects that the ministry involve.
v Assists to ensure that all public building is constructed according to standardization and Train other technical engineer’s using modern software for construction design.
v To prepare Infrastructure and constructions project proposals.
IV. Target Outputs (Measurable Results)
*3 – 5 specific outputs; these must be clear, measurable and time bound for the project to determine success of assignment (e.g., Transfer of specific skills to beneficiary institutions civil servants).***
v Monthly Activity Report to IOM, JICA and Director General of MoPWRH **
v Analysis of the government policy including state governments on infrastructural development, Construction and Architecture/Civil Engineering sector’s Industrial development and entrepreneurship of youth in that sector.
v Analysis of the donor activities in Construction and Architecture/Civil Engineering sector’s Industry development and entrepreneurship of youth in that sector.
v Training report conducted under the JICA YEPS project
V: MIDA requirements
Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section IV, MIDA is requiring the following steps/actions to be undertaken throughout the assignment. These are standard requirements for all assignments undertaken through this project:
1. Transfer of skills: One of the main responsibilities of the qualified Somali expatriate, and one which he/she will be measured against, will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment. It will have to be agreed with the beneficiary institution which civil servants will have to benefit from this knowledge. **
2. Work plan: A work plan will have to be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of assignment which will provide clear and time bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with the MIDA Project Assistant. This work plan can be revised during the mid-term review to reflect new developments or changes in strategy.
3. Mid Term Review: there will be a mid-term review of the assignment between the incumbent and the beneficiary institution to discuss progress of the assignment and feedback on performance.**
4. Interim and Final Reports: A progress report will be submitted by the incumbent to the Supervisor and to the MIDA **
5. Project Assistant. Thereafter a final report will be provided at the end of assignment.**
V: Qualifications
Level of Education:
Bachelor Degree or Master Degree highly preferable **
Area of Study:
Architecture or Civil Engineering related disciplined field **
Years of work experience in what area(s):
Minimum of 4 years’ experience in similar fields and preferably familiar with donor funded development projects
Languages needed:
Fluency in Somali and English
General Skills / Other Requirements:
- Good leadership and supervisory skills
- Good knowledge with infrastructural development and Architecture/Civil Engineering Content **
- Familiarity with Somali context and culture
- Ability to coordinate and deliver multiple Engineering assignments **
- Ability to coordinate with different Somali and international stakeholders including Japanese **
- Proficient with Engineering software applications i.e Autocad,3D and MS Office applications
VI: Salary
Under the direction of IOM MIDA and in consultation with the beneficiary institution, it has been determined that the salary level for this position be the following:
(This will be determined based on qualifications (VI) and level of the assignment (X).
VII: Security and insurance modalities
*Health insurance, including evacuation due to medical emergency, will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically well and apt to work in a hardship area in Africa.***
*Please note that neither IOM nor donors Government, according to the contract, will be responsible for the security of the qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.***
Before leaving the country of residence and upon arrival in Nairobi or in Somalia, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-departure briefing including security advice and cultural background.
How to apply
To apply please send your CV (with two professional references including their email and phone number) and a cover letter by email to midasomvacancy@iom.int.
Kindly write: Architecture /Civil Engineering advisor (JICA) in the subject field of the email when sending the application.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please note that this vacancy is only open for Qualified Somali Diaspora candidates, qualified female applicants are encouraged to apply.