I. General Information
Position: Research Technical Advisor
Position type: Diaspora Expert
Date of Issue: 5 March 2024
Duty Station: Somali National University
Duration of Assignment:12 months
Deadline for Applications: 26 March 2024
II. Background Information
About the MIDA FINNSOM III Health and Education Project
Over the last few decades, there has been a consistent trend of migration from diverse African nations, leading to a “brain drain” that has adversely affected numerous public sector systems throughout the continent. Since 2008, the IOM Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) program has been instrumental in harnessing the expertise of Somali diaspora professionals. These professionals have actively contributed to institutional capacity building, service delivery, and policy development within health and education institutions across Somalia.
The MIDA FINNSOM phase III – Health and Education project – contributes to strengthening the health and education sectors in Somalia toward achieving specific priorities in the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and the Essential Package for Health Services (EPHS), as prioritized and outlined by the government. The project is devoted toward contributing to the promotion of sustainable employment opportunities in the health and education sectors for local experts who will work in close coordination with the Somali diaspora experts to exchange knowledge and experiences and contribute with their requisite expertise.
Brief background of SNU and the Faculty of Education
The Somali National University (SNU) was established in 1954. SNU obtained its official university status in 1969. From 1971 to 1973, other degree courses were instituted including agriculture, chemistry, medicine, engineering, and geology. In the mid-1970s, the teacher’s college at Lafoole, one of SNU’s remote campuses, was made stand-alone institution (“Lafoole Teacher’s College”). The language of instruction was English. In 1973. The SNU developed into an institution of higher learning with twelve faculties.
The Faculty of Education and Social Sciences was known as Lafoole College of Education and had its beginning with the founding of the National Teacher Education Center in 1963. The original campus buildings have been augmented by several new structures including additional classrooms, expanded library capacities, and new laboratories. In the wake of the civil war in the early 1990s, classes at the university were suspended. After the civil war, Somali National University was reopened in 2014. The faculty now offers six academic programs at the undergraduate level that are designed to develop the intellectual, academic and professional capacity of the students enrolled. Our pre-service programs in teacher education combine disciplinary knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge with practical field experiences in areas such as science and mathematics education, language education and social science education.
III. Duties & Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities for the position would be to play a vital role in ensuring that SNU is equipped with the geographical, historical, cultural, and political factors that influence the development of various research.
Duties are to:
- Provide independent strategic advice and guidance to SNU across a range of research activities.
- Lead discussions with internal and external stakeholders to ensure programming and technical approach is responsive to needs and priorities.
- Provide statistical and analytical support to the research team and across the SNU (including standards and comparability), as required.
- Operate as a key point of contact on specific projects/areas of interest, where appropriate and participate in a number of SNU meetings.
- Lead the development of research-related products and materials and support the integration and implementation of research and learning activities into SNU programs.
- Provide general technical support to the faculty of education.
- Perform research in educational assessment and qualifications.
- Contribute to the publication of research reports, articles and data.
- Respond to internal and external queries about research.
- Coordinate regularly with field staff and other departments engaged in program development.
- Analyze opportunities and makes recommendations on potential research strategies.
IV. Requirements
Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section III, the MIDA FINNSOM III Heath and Education project is requiring the following deliverables to be submitted throughout the assignment. These are the standard requirements for all assignments under this project:
- Transfer of knowledge: The main responsibility of the qualified Somali expatriate—which he/she will be measured against—will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment.
- Work plan: A work plan must be developed with the Supervisor to provide clear and time-bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan can be revised during the assignment to reflect on new developments or changes.
- Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the expert to the supervisor and IOM project team. At the end of the assignment, the participant must also provide a final report covering the duration of his/her assignment.
- Exit interview: An exit interview will be conducted to ensure that a proper exit plan has been put in place to sustain the achievements, upon completion of the assignment.
V. Qualifications
Level of Education: Master’s degree in research, education, social sciences or related field
Years of work experience in what area(s): Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience
Languages needed: English and Somali
General Skills / Other Requirements:
- Management of partnership with public entities in the education sector
- Experience with cooperation with Finland-based education institution
VI: Subsistence Allowance
The monthly stipend amount will be determined by the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education project, based on degree and years of relevant experience.
VII: Security and insurance modalities
Health insurance—including evacuation due to a medical emergency—will be covered by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit and able to work in a hardship area in Africa.
Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.
Before leaving the country of residence or upon arrival in Somalia, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-service briefing including security advice and cultural background.
How to apply
All applications must be sent via email to: midasomvacancy@iom.int with the following reference as a subject in your e-mail: Application – Research Technical Advisor – as mentioned in the vacancy announcement.
To be considered, applicants must provide a cover letter, CV, and the contact information (email and phone number) of two professional references by the closing date of this vacancy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The closing date of this application is 26/03/2024, at 12.00 PM EAT.
While this project is geared toward the Somali-Finnish diaspora, members of other Somali diaspora communities are also welcomed to apply. Females are highly encouraged to apply and participate in the MIDA FINNSOM III Health and Education Project.