Programme Management (Delivery Lead) Advisor -IICA 3/ICS 11 At UNOPS

UNOPS -Somalia Country Office (SOCO) is recruiting for this position to be based in Mogadishu-Somalia and qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to help shape UNOPS’ efforts to support the expansion of affordable, accountable and effective policing in Somalia.

1. Somalia has seen important progress in recent years, but these gains and the political settlement that underpin them remain extremely fragile. Following the collapse of the rule of law during the country’s decades-long conflict, Somalia’s National Security Architecture remains extremely weak and a source of deep contestation and rivalry. Non-state armed groups, including Al Shabaab, but also clan-affiliated militias, continue to exercise significant authority over the political and security landscape. Allegations of serious human rights abuses by state and non-state armed groups are a major escalatory factor in the country’s unrest and fundamentally undermine stabilization and peacebuilding efforts. Customary and Shari’ah-based judicial systems have similarly gained strength and legitimacy. Their role within Somalia’s formal judicial system remains ill-defined and the capacity of statutory courts is extremely low. Across this justice ecosystem, marginalized groups, including women and minority clans, are often denied access to fair settlement of disputes, posing a significant threat to the sustainability and inclusivity of ongoing peace efforts.
2. Somalia additionally faces new pressures that are likely to exacerbate existing tensions and grievances. Climate change and associated floods and droughts perpetuate high levels of displacement and the country’s chronic humanitarian crisis. In many communities, traditional livelihoods no longer present a practical or sustainable source of income. Rapid urbanization means that different communities are increasingly converging on and competing for the limited resources of cities and towns.

Background on Nabadgelinta Soomaaliya

1. UNOPS seeks a Programme Management (Delivery Lead) Advisor to oversee all programme operations for an estimated USD $100 million, eight-year Security and Justice Reform Programme (SSJP) in Somalia, referred to as Nabadgelinta Soomaaliya.
2. The objective of SSJP-II/Nabadgelinta Soomaaliya is to enable Somalis to benefit from improved security and access to justice through inclusive approaches that enjoy broad based understanding, support and both elite and public confidence. The programme will seek to enhance resolution of specific security and justice problems identified as priorities by Somalis in target locations, while also leveraging learning, social and political influence effectively to catalyze wider programmatic, policy and systemic change.
3. SSJP-II/Nabadgelinta Soomaaliya recognizes the critical role that improved security and justice outcomes, delivered through approaches that enable informed and inclusive dialogue and negotiation, have in establishing the foundations to lasting peace and political settlements in Somalia. The total anticipated budget available for the programme is USD $100 million covering a duration of eight (8) years. The programme will work initially in 2-3 urban and peri-urban communities in South West State and Jubaland, with the option to expand to other Federal Member States (FMSs) and/or to Somaliland in outer years, as additional funding becomes available.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Programme Management (Delivery Lead) Advisor will lead programmatic, operational and administrative aspects of Nabadgelinta Soomaaliya. S/he will be a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), working under the direction of UNOPS’ Senior Programme Manager) and in close collaboration with the SSJP/Nabadgelinta Soomaaliya Technical Lead and Fund Manager. S/he will provide line management for Area Leads in each of the target Federal Member States (FMSs), and other operations and programmatic staff. S/he will ensure appropriate management systems are in place for the overall functioning of the programme and work closely with the Senior Programme Manager and Fund Manager to implement a robust Programme Management Framework. This includes responsibility for overseeing development and management of integrated work plans, delivered by multiple Implementation partners across several target geographic areas. Critically, s/he will be accountable for ensuring that the programme design and delivery reflects and adapts in response to emerging evidence and learning, working closely with the Technical Lead to identify learning and facilitate regular reviews of the programme approach.

The Programme Management (Delivery Lead) Advisor will support development of a strong vision and adaptive programming approach, ensuring that intervention strategies reflect emerging evidence, and support the delivery and testing of innovative strategies. S/hey will also provide mentorship and training, as needed, for all national staff. Upon request, s/he will represent the Senior Programme Manager to donors and other stakeholders.

Functional Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the UNOPS Senior Programme Manager and in close collaboration with the SSJP/Nabadgelinta Soomaaliya Technical Lead and Fund Manager, the Programme Management (Delivery Lead) Advisor for SSJP II will be responsible for the following functional responsibilities:

A: Programme Delivery:

1. ** Support the Senior Programme Manager to ensure programme milestones are delivered on time and to quality by ensuring that the workplans provide the framework for delivery, that progress is reviewed and lessons are learned to constantly update, adapt and optimize performance and realize value for money.
2. Support development of updated annual workplans to be agreed and approved by the SMT, the Programme Steering Committee and donors; and ensure that all stakeholders are clear on planned activities (version control, knowledge management, etc.);
3. Ensure integrated quarterly, monthly and specific deliverable workplans are in place across each of the target FMSs and across the entireNabadgelinta Soomaaliya team, and that the necessary TA and other resource inputs are in place to support delivery;
4. Conduct weekly and monthly review/planning meetings to review progress against integrated workplans; identify opportunities for deepening partnership and collaboration between implementing partners; flag emerging issues of concern, and to capture and reflect on learning;
5. Institutionalise a deliberate and structured process through which the programme reflects on progress, reviews emerging evidence (including from the programme’s MERL framework), and adapts programme design and delivery;
6. Report in writing (email) any concerns around delayed/impeded delivery or inadequate technical quality to the Senior Programme Manager, Technical Lead and/or Fund Manager;
7. Support the Senior Programme Manager and Fund Manager to monitor the use of inputs against the delivery of outputs;
8. Work with the Fund Manager and other members of the SMT to ensure a clear focus on value for money, and make sure a comprehensive VFM framework is in place and institutionalized within the programme.

B: Effective Programme Management:

1. ** Establish and deliver effective systems and processes to address: adaptation; planning, monitoring and tracking; communications; office management and operations; reporting; safeguarding; fiduciary risk; compliance and overall risk management.
2. Ensure appropriate programme management systems are in place and are being used, documented and reported on which address:
3. Programme Management (ie. PMM Manual);
4. Compliance (ie. Supplier Diligence; Grant Management; etc.);
5. Safeguarding (ie. Safeguarding Framework);
6. Risk Management (ie. Risk Matrix and Risk Management Strategy);
7. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (ie. Theory of Change, and MEL Framework);
8. Office Management (ie. Safety and Security Plan).
9. Work with the Fund Manager and Programme Partners to ensure that workplans are accompanied by realistic and detailed budgets and financial forecasting;
10. Work with the Technical Lead to ensure technical advice and assistance requirements are identified in good time, and support the development of ToRs to secure this assistance; and
11. Identify wider learning and capacity building opportunities, and support the DS&J and Technical Lead to craft responses to these.

C: Human Resources:

1. ** Support the Senior Programme Manager to develop, strengthen and implement appropriate performance management and professional development approaches for the SSJP/Nabadgelinta Soomaaliya team.
2. Roll-out performance management framework, ensuring all staff have clear Terms of Reference, and are managed and supported to deliver their responsibilities to the maximum effect;
3. Assess and record performance of Area Leads and other key programme and operational staff, agreeing areas for improvement and documenting overall performance;
4. Support SSJP personnel to manage consistent underperformance effectively, ensuring that issues and management steps are clearly documented;
5. Assist in the recruitment and orientation of new staff;
6. Ensure that long- and short-term personnel are inducted and orientated successfully, and included in the relevant work processes and workflows;
7. Create a team dynamic in which SSJP/Nabadgelinta Soomaaliya personnel and partners feel supported, encouraged and accountable for their performance.

D: Risk Management:

1. Assume overall responsibility for the SSJP/Nabadgelinta Soomaaliya Risk Management Framework, working closely with the Fund Manager to identify and manage financial risks;
2. In line with the provisions of the framework, periodically (and regularly) assess the risk environment and update the risk matrix and tracker accordingly; and
3. Define appropriate risk mitigation strategies and work with the Senior Programme Manager and other SSJP/Nabadgelinta Soomaaliya team members to ensure risks are effectively mitigated and managed.

E: Operations and Compliance:

1. Work with the Fund Manager to ensure full contractual compliance with UNOPS and donor requirements;
2. Work with the Fund Manager to ensure full office functionality (premises, equipment, services, etc.);
3. Support the implementation of UNOPS safety and security regulations.

Qualifications and Experience:

A: Education

• Master’s Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science/Security Management/Development Studies, Education, Information Technology (ICT), Law or other relevant discipline is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science/Security Management/Development Studies, Education, Information Technology (ICT), Law with a combination of two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

B: Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years experience in senior programme leadership roles for security and justice reform and/or conflict management programmes or a combination of the experience is required
• Experience in managing complex, multi-partner programmes in fragile and conflict-affected environments (including programme planning, compliance, finance, risk and grants/contract management is an asset.;
• Experience managing adaptive programming and familiarity with adaptive management and results frameworks would be a significant asset;
• Strong attention to detail and rigour;
• Experience in developing and maintaining professional networks with both international and national stakeholders, including development partners and civil society organizations is an added advantage;
• Effective communications and interpersonal relationships;
• Experience in managing and developing team performance, including through the establishment of performance management and professional development frameworks is desirable;
• Social Development, Behavior Change, Gender or Gender-Based Violence programme experience would be considered an asset.
• Experience/knowledge of Google Suite products, especially google forms, sheets, docs and slides is an asset.

C: Language requirement

• Fluency in English Language (i.e. writing, reading and speaking) is required;
• Proficiency in written and oral in Somali language is an added advantage.

D: Additional Considerations:

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for the Desk Review will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work-life Harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.
• Mogadishu is not a Family Duty Station. However, the duty station will be temporarily based in Nairobi due to the security challenges in Mogadishu until we are able to officially mobilize.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
  It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.