Background of Somalia NGO Consortium

The Somalia NGO Consortium is a voluntary mechanism that brings together local and international NGOs working in Somalia to encourage information sharing, cooperation, coordination and joint advocacy in order to better work together to improve the lives of Somalis affected by conflict, natural disasters, poverty. The Consortium aims to facilitate a more coherent NGO voice and assist NGO members to channel their concerns and suggestions to appropriate decision makers in the most effective format. Having already established itself in Mogadishu, Garowe and Hargeisa, Kismayo and Baidao. The NGO Consortium is in the process of establishing its presence in Mogadishu to better serve the needs of members present.

Overall objective

The purpose of the Field Officer is to represent Consortium members providing high-level liaison, information and coordination services and act as the first point of contact for Galmudug related issues. This is a national posting.**

The Somalia NGO Consortium in Galmudug aims to: –

· Become a direct channel of information for all NGO-related matters in Galmudug for member NGOs and external stakeholders.

· Support NGOs through working towards an environment conducive for all stakeholder to improve the lives of Somali people, e.g. through identifying the regulations, laws and policies affecting NGOs operating in Dhusamareeb and Galmudug regions.

· Identifying and addressing the regulations, laws and policies affecting NGOs operating in Dhusamareeb and Galmudug regions.

· Provide a safe space to facilitate inclusive discussions on specific (in particular humanitarian) issues between members and external actors. In doing so support effective coordination of NGOs working in Dhusamareeb and Galmudug regions.

· In cooperation with the overall Consortium advocacy-working group, conduct solution-oriented advocacy with local and national authorities in Dhusamareeb and Galmudug on issues affecting operationally of NGOs and which are of key concern to NGO members.

· Provide a forum to promote practical learning and best practice or all NGO members.

Key Responsibilities

The Field Officer is a national position and reports to the Regional Coordinator and is part of the Somalia NGO Consortium team with offices in Mogadishu, Hargeisa , Garowe, Kismayo and Baidao.

The incumbent will work with member organizations to ensure an overview of needs in Dhusamareeb and Galmudug attend humanitarian co-ordination meetings; participate in the elaboration of advocacy materials on issues of key concern to member NGOs.

Assist in the elaboration of information relevant for NGOs including information governing the regulations, laws and policies of Somalia affecting NGOs operations in Dhusamareeb and Galmudug; advise on the Consortium’s response to specific issues and, as the first point of contact for members, support member NGO in all relevant issues. The incumbent will lead external engagement in Dhusamareeb and Galmudug on behalf of the Regional Coordinator by developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including government.

Specific tasks:

Representation/ Coordination with members and external actors

· Participate in co-ordination meetings with members and other international and local humanitarian organizations, ensuring that the Consortium is appropriately represented in Dhusamareeb and Galmudug. Report on each meeting attended (including compilation of agendas, preparation and dissemination of background materials, and reports and documents).

· Respond in a timely manner to all queries received regarding the Consortium’s activities, including induction for new members, or new staff of a member agency.

· Liaise with national and local authorities and institutions.

· Organize in monthly Consortium meetings advising on Dhusamareeb and Galmudug specific issues.

· Regular visits to members’ offices to ensure regular consultation and buy-in from members.

Information Sharing/information management

· Facilitate information sharing between members and external stakeholders in cooperation with the Galmudug office.

· Pro-actively collect information relevant to NGOs and NGO programmes in Dhusamareeb and Galmudug.

· Identify action points after each meeting and follow up with the concerned parties to ensure that action is taken.

· Provide input into the monthly regional update to the regional coordinator

· Participate, via teleconference, and present specific issues in regional monthly Consortium meetings.

· Provide inputs to sitreps, reports and other ad hoc documents to be sent to members.

· Support Advisory board meeting and prepare agenda of those meetings

Advocacy

· Under consultation with the Regional Coordinator – identify issues of priority for members and consult with members to ensure an evidence base for any advocacy activity. Influence overall Consortium advocacy from a Dhusamareeb and Galmudug point of view.

· Raise issues of key concern for humanitarian programming with all stakeholders when relevant. At all times observe the necessary distancing from political or military issues/initiatives and monitor that other stakeholders also respect a clear delineation of roles and responsibilities.

· When of priority, inform Consortium members of political or security related discussions if there are impacting on NGO programming.

· Carry out research as required.

Administration

• Prepare the regionally specific aspects of the Consortium Annual Work plan to include objectives, common issues, and expected output that is to be approved by the Steering Committee. Participate proactively in informing and developing Consortium services and strategy, in particular developing Consortium advocacy concerns.
• Responsible for the administration, finances and logistics for the Consortium aspects of the Dhusamareeb office, in link with the Regional Coordinator –, the programme Officer and the Finance Officer. Maintain financial records of all financial transactions of the Consortium including bank accounts, petty cash accounts, issuing invoices and receipt for localized memberships and forward to HQ.
• Responsible to update and maintain the e-mail addresses, mailing lists, telephone numbers and physical address of Consortium members on a semi-annual basis feeding into the main Consortium member directory.
• Prepare a 3 W’s matrix of member agencies working in Dhusamareeb and Galmudug on an annual basis. Integrate this into Consortium www that is hosed online.
• Responsible for updating and maintaining all files and data bases for the relevant activities of the Consortium, its various working committees, and task force groups
• Any other activities requested by members or the Advisory Board that will enhance the Field Officers’ ability to fulfil the Consortium’s mandate.

Reporting Arrangements:

• Reports to the Regional Coordinator -, Somalia NGO Consortium
• Cooperates with the INSO Field Officer in Dhusamareeb.

Conditions:

Contract: One year with possibility of extension.

Duty station: The position is based at Dhusamareeb, with periodic travel to the other offices. Somalia is a hazardous environment and the selected candidate must adhere to security precautions and contribute to the security of the team.

**

Person specification:

Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor degree;
• At least four (4) years of practical work experience within NGOs in humanitarian work in developing countries. Knowledge of the Somalia NGO Consortium would be considered an added benefit.
• Good knowledge of humanitarian principles, NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct. Strong willingness to work and adapt to the NGO sector in compliance with basic humanitarian principles.
• Proven in depth and operational knowledge of Somalia with a particular focus on Dhusamareeb and Galmudug context is required
• Excellent understanding of Somali government, local government and traditional governance structures. Well-developed networks within Dhusamareeb/Galmudug would be deemed an added benefit.
• Proven experience in development and maintenance of multi-stakeholder’s networks and proactive coordination experience
• Proven experience in high quality production of reports and analysis.
• Demonstrable experience with advocacy/lobbying (NGO or other stakeholder) within a complex humanitarian context and at senior level.
• Capacity to plan and monitor resources

Skills and competences:

• Excellent communication, coordination and representational skills. Demonstrated leadership capacity and professional experience at a senior level.
• Demonstrated ability to make clear and articulate presentations (orally and in writing) of complex information. Strong analytical skills.
• Capacity to deliver in structured and timely manner within set deadlines
• Demonstrated capacity to work with minimal supervision and maintain a high level of initiative and engagement. Demonstrated capacity to recognize when and where proactive action is required and to initiate timely and appropriate action.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and diplomacy and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with staff and other stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural team and to coordinate with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• He/she must be able to exercise a large degree of common sense and personal discipline. He/she must also display a high degree of diplomacy and personal integrity and at all times abide to working principles including impartiality and neutrality in all actions and work towards fulfilling the Consortium Mandate.
• The position requires the holder to be able to undertake tasking at short notice with due regard to the security environment. It requires a high degree of flexibility with respect to working hours.

*Languages:*

• English and Somali (working language): fluent with excellent writing capacities
• Knowledge of Arabic would be of added benefit.