Organizational context
In 2012, after a long and troubled transition, a new political dispensation was found in Somalia, with the adoption of the Provisional Constitution, the selection of a new parliament, the election of president and formation of a new government. The challenges faced by the Federal and State Governments are enormous. The challenges can be summarized as follows:
The long civil war and looting have destroyed physical infrastructure, equipment and the institutional memory of most government agencies and ministries.
There is a lack of clarity on the mandate and functions across Federal and State Government institutions and between the federal and subnational levels of government.
Core work-processes in government have suffered in quality and consistency, and service delivery is in many areas virtually absent.
Staff capacity is low across the whole spectrum of government institutions with limited mechanisms to identify and redress these capacity gaps.
The Federal and State Governments face significant capacity challenges - at the individual, organisational and institutional level - in implementing their mandate and require institutional support to roll out the New Deal process and implement the different reforms.
On State Level, the Puntland Government is fairly well established. However, the process to establish new State Level governments in ‘south-central Somalia’ has started during 2014. This highly sensitive process is about merging different regions into a state level government administration. It requires an inclusive (political) debate and technical guidance.
The Support to Emerging Federal States (StEFS) Project is one of the Projects developed in response to the New Deal. Aligned to the priorities and principles spelled out in the Somali Compact, the StEFS Project aims to support the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Emerging Federal States in achieving the Peace-building and State-building Goal (PSG) 1, Inclusive Politics Strategic Objective, to “achieve a stable and peaceful federal Somalia through inclusive political processes.”
StEFS builds on the positive gains, experience, expertise and added value of UNSOM and UNDP in advancing these processes while further delivering key capacity support needed for these new governance structures to function effectively within a nascent federal system.
The Project prescribes a coherent approach to address the needs of Emerging Federal States in addition to those federal level institutions that enable and facilitate the formation and development of these new state structures and federalism process.
The present position, Technical Advisor-communication and reporting for OPM Federalism unit, will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Team Leader (Emerging States) in Mogadishu. The Technical Advisor will work closely with office of Prime Minister (OPM) and provide technical guidance on communication and will be reporting progress and achievements in federalism with other stakeholders and federal states in Somalia.
He/She will work in close collaboration with the Emergency States and Governance Programme and project staff in the Country office, UNDP counterparts and other UN agencies staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery federalism dialogue at all state levels.
General Functions:
The Technical Advisor on Communication and Reporting has been delegated the responsibility for achievement of the project results. Within agreed constraints in work plan, the Technical Advisor on Communication and Reporting is accountable for the delivery of project activities and the achievement of project outputs in her/his assigned department.
· Support the OPM to identify priority objectives in developing its compunction and outreach strategies on federalism,
· Support the OPM to formulate an official outreach strategic plan as a means to implement identified objectives and to effectively communicate key messages to the federal government and federal states.
· Support the OPM to plan public outreach activities through both mass media and local initiatives, including rationale, budget and other required resources, timeline and delegation of responsibilities.
· Support the OPM to implement outreach activities; advise and assist as necessary.
· Support the OPM to develop a strategy to maximize cooperation (including through training efforts) with CSOs in the delivery of public outreach campaigns.
· Support the OPM to produce regular evaluative reports, drawing on these KPIs and including narrative and analysis; and to adapt strategy and implementation as and when necessary.
· Contribute to Emerging States reporting and progress updates, and document Emerging States’ capacity building support.
In all activities, the TA shall pay specific attention to the cross-cutting elements as per New Deal Compact, particularly capacity development and gender
Expected Outcomes
Based on the advice of the Public Outreach Specialist the following deliverables will be produced during the period of this contract:
· OPM’s strategic document guiding and directing outreach activities, leading up to public awareness in 2016/2017 developed. This document should include specific goals, activities to be undertaken as a means to achieve those goals, and a substantive rationale.
· OPM “special needs” strategic document, focused on those sectors of society with special information needs, especially women and youth, but also minorities, illiterate persons, the physically disabled.
· Media broadcast strategy developed, to ensure the most effective media outreach through various media outlets, in order to reach both targeted and broad audiences.
· OPM Action Plan, outlining activities, budget and other required resources, as well as timeline, delegation of activities and key performance indicators prepared.
· Provide to the StEFS with regular reports and progress updates, including contributions to reports of Emerging States to other officials as requested.
Education:
· Around 5 to 7 years of professional experience with Bachelor Degree in Political Science /Public Administration, Community development, Development Studies or related field.
Work Experience:
· Experience in communication and reporting writing is essential
· Technical expertise on federalism and state building
· Experience on providing technical assistance to a government institution in a post conflict setting;
· Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel) and good
· knowledge of spread sheet and creating databases;
· Experience in working with the Government and/or the United Nations is desirable
Key Competencies
· Excellent analytical skills, ability to synthesize and clearly present complex processes and issues to service the information needs of diverse audiences;
· Ability to translate strategic thinking and innovative ideas into practical operational recommendations;
· Results orientation and commitment to producing high-quality products;
· Ability to work under tight deadlines;
Essay Requirements:
Kindly submit an essay of maximum 2 pages: ‘What will be your outreach and communication strategy for office of Prime Minister/Federal Government towards federalism in Somalia; Strategy and brief action plan?’
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should submit their CV along with the above essay and their application letter via e-mail To sduale@opm.gov.so and Cc samira.hassan.ahmed@undp.org with reference to “Technical advisor (Communication and Reporting” in the subject line by 7th August 2016. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Women are strongly encouraged to apply
