. Job Summary and Purpose:

The Nordic International Support Foundation (NIS) is a Norwegian-registered non-profit organization engaged in stabilization and reconciliation initiatives in conflict and post-conflict areas. Our primary areas of intervention are institutional development, public service delivery, and conflict resolution. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, NIS recently finalized a project in Sri Lanka and currently implements projects in Somalia, Myanmar, and the Sahel.

NIS Somalia is currently implementing a wide range of stabilization projects in South Central and Puntland with plans to expand into new areas. The organization has offices in Mogadishu, Baidao, Kismayo, Buloburde and operational presence in Galkayo, Jowhar, Balad, Baardheere, Barawe, Lasanod, Buurhakaba, Wajid, Abudwak and Beledweyne in Hiiraan.

The Initiative for Stabilization, transition and National Development (I-STAND) is a program contracted by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The goal of I-STAND is to increase legitimacy for and trust in government institutions at varying levels (local, regional, and federal). The I-STAND Program is Built around a comprehensive Theory of Change (ToC), that suggests investing in the government’s ability to deliver small-scale infrastructure projects will directly improve local residents’ trust in Somali authorities, which in turn will enhance government legitimacy and, ultimately, increase stability in the target districts. This is realized by assisting local governments in delivering small-scale infrastructure projects, such as the installation of Solar streetlights, hospital solar electrification, creation of a technical and vocational training center; rehabilitation of roads; and investment in sports facilities among others.

The main purpose of the Community Engagement Coordinator is work directly engage with local stakeholders on community engagement and strategic communications associated with the NIS projects or to work alongside selected local NGO partners to mentor them and oversee their work on the same.

The position holder reports to the Program Manager. The person will work closely with the Programme team, Area offices, M&E and project staff across all the different departments.

2. Tasks and Responsibilities

· Provision of a high-level coordination for the Stabilization Project through community engagement activities (forums, Workshops, dialogue, meetings with local administrations, community leaders, partners and stakeholders) at every project location

· Develop and prepare work plans of the programme CE/SC activities in every project location and Provide daily, weekly, event and monthly report on projects CE/SC activities either when facilitated directly NIS or through a LNGO partner.

· Coordinate project cycle management for achievements, constraints and provide feedback accordingly.

· Participate projects monitoring at the field

· Design and conduct stakeholder mapping, media mapping, establishing community feedback mechanisms, conducting Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) as well as preparation and dissemination of documented best practices (i.e. guidelines as per a separate NIS initiative on CE guidelines and toolkit)

· In locations where a LNGO counterpart has been selected to lead on CE/SC, the CE coordinator will

• Conduct LNGO capacity assessments using the tools designed by NIS CE Working Group.
• Support LNGOs both in situ and remotely with coaching on tools and methods in building community support for prioritised infrastructure projects. These will likely involve accompanying LNGO staff when meeting with district authorities and other project stakeholders, during meetings with the project steering committees when formed, and KII and FGDs before and during project implementation.

· In locations where NIS will be delivering CE/SC activities directly, tasks and responsibilities will be directly leading activities referenced above,

• Conduct CE workshops, forums and community halls
• Deal with local authorities in selection of forums participants using NIS criteria in line with Field officers
• Organize stakeholders project monitoring as site visiting like steering committees, local authorities or/and other partners

· Participate assessment missions of the organization at new intervention areas

· Support in collecting information and reports from programme area, analysis of the information and reports to assess progress (checking on trends, challenges, lessons, and best practices) towards making decisions that influence the subsequent implementation of programme activities.

· Provide context analyses and stakeholders mapping in every project location

· Organize role of media facilities in each project locations as strategic communications

· Develop awareness messages about the project’s sensation on media, billboards or for the use of local administrations

· Provide NIS with a brief daily, weekly report on CE/SC activities, or monthly reports either when facilitated directly or through a LNGO partner.

· Undertake any other additional duties at the request of the programme Technical Director or Country rep.

3. Achievement Indicators

Job execution is evaluated based on the following criteria:

· Demonstrated having facilitated the NGO Capacity Assessment Tool with partner NGOs, evidenced by a written report of the process and results

· Demonstrated development of a communication strategy

· Delivery of targeted CE activities and feedback solicited from community participants

· Documented stakeholder mapping, media mapping, community feedback mechanisms, and the formation of a project steering committee in each location (either directly or through the partner NGO)

· Information management and sharing- efficient, timely and updated

· Flexibility and ability to adjust to changes and new requirements

· Level of personal contribution in supporting colleagues, teambuilding and a healthy, positive and creative work environment

4. Desirable Competence

· Relevant university degree or higher education, preferably in international relations, political science and/or development, social sciences or management.

· Minimum 5 years Previous experience in implementation of community development projects and participatory approach experience

· Solid programme management experience

· Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills

· Proven writing and reporting skills

· Strong local knowledge and understanding of context

· Previous experience working with different stakeholders, actors and in a team setting/environment, etc.

· Experience from international work, preferably with stakeholder engagements

· Demonstrated leadership and coordination skills

· Documented skills in formulation of programme for Community engagements

· Significant understanding of complex emergencies and crisis contexts

· Significant political and cultural awareness and experience of working in setting where insecurity is a major issue

· Awareness of gender issues

· Fluency in the English, both oral and written

· Above average computer literacy

5. Personal qualities

· Goal oriented and visionary

· Ability to handle a large workload, work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision

· Ability and willingness to work and live under difficult circumstances

· Ability and willingness to be mobile

· Flexible and creative

· Knowledge of the operational contexts in Somalia and other countries in the Horn of Africa.

6. Performance Management

The employee will be accountable for and evaluated on the responsibilities and the competencies, based on NIS’s Performance Management System. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

· The Job Description

· The individual work and professional development plan

· The competency framework