Project Coordinator Specialist

REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT (MoAD) SOMALILAND FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCE PROJECT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Country: Government of Somaliland

Institution: Ministry of Agriculture Development

Project ID No. P177816

Name of the Project: Food System Resilience Project

Consulting Service: Project Coordinator Specialist.

Individual/Firm: Individual

Duty Station: Hargeisa

Institution: Ministry of Agriculture

Duration: 12 Months, with possibility for extension

Deadline: 04 January, 2024

Reference No.SO-MOAD-SL-388775-CS-INDV

1.  Background of the Project

The Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD) is implementing Food Systems Resilience Project financed by the World Bank. The aims of the project is to tackle the underlying structural challenges of food insecurity and reduce beneficiaries' vulnerability to unpredictable climate, crisis, and conflict events. It seeks to achieve this by rejuvenating Somaliland's Agri-livestock research institutions, seed systems, and extension services and developing community institutions that can anchor adaptation of climate smart Agri-livestock practices; strengthening the availability of water and improved rangelands management for resilient agriculture and livestock production; strengthen animal health services, strengthening the integration of the production systems to domestic and regional markets, with appropriate investments in food safety and value addition, and establishing an enabling policy and institutional framework capable of supporting food systems resilience for Somaliland at national and regional levels.

The project development objective (PDO) of the FSRP is to increase the resilience of food systems and the Somaliland’s preparedness for food insecurity in project target areas. The Food Systems and Resilience Project, funded by the World Bank, has Six key components: (Re-)Building Resilient Agricultural Production Capacity, Supporting the Sustainable Development of Natural Resources for Resilient Agricultural Landscapes, Getting to Market, Promoting a Greater Focus on Food Systems Resilience in National and Regional Policymaking, Contingent Emergency Response Component, Project Management and Monitoring and Evaluation. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Development (MoAD) of the Government of Somaliland (GoSL) invites suitably qualified individuals to apply for the position of PCU Project Coordinator (PCUPC), Project funded by the World Bank and the GoSL. The PCU-PC position will be a full-time contracted staff position. The PCU Project Coordinator will lead the PCU and be responsible for overall project coordination, implementation, day-to-day management, and oversight.

Reporting to:

Reporting to the Director General, Ministry of Agriculture Development (MoAD), Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (MoLRD), and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), the PC will be the Head of the PCU and shall be responsible for the overall coordination and management of FSRP activities, including the provision of strategic guidance on the day-to-day implementation of activities in accordance with World Bank's guidelines stipulated in the Financing Agreement (FA) and Government fiduciary requirements.

Specific Responsibilities:

•      Provide effective leadership;

•      Act as a liaison between the MoAD, MoLFD, MoECC, and the World Bank Task Team Leader (TTL) and facilitate communication with the Central Bank, and other Project executing agencies;

•      Lead the preparation of the Project's Annual Work Plan and Budgets (AWPBs) and associated Procurement Plans for the Project;

•      Ensure the effective utilization of project funds and other resources according to the AWPB and Procurement Plan through supervision and monitoring. This will include supervision of the staff of the PCU (including conducting annual performance reviews) and, in collaboration with the Project Steering Committees (PSC);

•      Ensure that progress, audit and other reports are produced and submitted to the appropriate parties on a timely basis;

•      Ensure compliance of the Project to all laid down World Bank/Government of Somaliland guidelines, including fiduciary (procurement and financial management), environmental and social safeguards (environmental assessment, natural habitat, pest management and resettlement policy);

•      Ensure the timely dissemination of project experience and results to relevant stakeholders within the learning community;

•      Ensure adequate liaison, synergies, and networking with other agencies working in the project area or potentially concerned with project activities. This will include synergy with the relevant ministries, NGOs, donors, and other relevant stakeholders as well as other World Bank-funded projects, Biyoole/Barwaaqo Project;

•      Ensure that an effective communication channel with participating district and communities, stakeholders, and other donors is established;

•      To fast-track, the implementation of the projects' investments, assign thematic leads the responsibility of constituting a panel of experts as and when the need arises. They will support the PCU in giving technical guidance and capacity building and participate in monitoring and evaluation activities.

•      Represent the Project at relevant functions and meetings;

•      Secretary to the PSC and TAC;

•      Implement the decisions of the PSC and TAC;

•      Undertake project completion and financing closing activities when due;

•      Recruit or seek for secondment of assistants to all the thematic leads at PCU as and when required; and

•      Perform any other duties relevant to the Project as may be assigned by the Director General or his designated representative.

This is a senior management position that requires a mature person with excellent leadership and interpersonal skills, capable of leading an interdisciplinary team of professionals and interacting at senior levels of governments and other stakeholder institutions. The right candidate will have the following qualifications:         

•      Master’s degree or higher in Agricultural sciences or Rural Development (e.g.,

Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering, Animal Production, etc.), Community Development, Economics, Business Studies, or another relevant field;

•      At least 7 years of management experience in agricultural production, Irrigation management, marketing, or business development with World Bank-funded projects

•      Demonstrated ability to work with government institutions, international organizations, or the private sector.

•      Experience in donor-funded project coordination and management, preferably with the World Bank or other development partners.

•       Knowledge of the World Bank project cycle, the World Bank Financial and Procurement Management guidelines, the World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards, and their related reporting procedures will be an added advantage;

•      Good understanding of local agricultural policies, strategies, and regulatory framework for the various inputs and commodities in Somaliland;

•      Demonstrable knowledge and proven experience in agricultural value chains development and livelihood diversification interventions;

•      Conversant with the community-driven development (CDD) approach; and rural development projects in Somaliland or other similar countries.

Other Key Competencies and Requirements

•      Ready for flexible working hours and extensive workload, as well as frequent domestic travel to support the participating districts;

•      Strong computer and communication skills (oral, written, presentation) with proficient working knowledge of relevant software for technical analysis and reporting;

•      Strong interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to interact productively with a wide range of stakeholders.

•      Fluency in written and oral English and Somali language.

Interested consultants may obtain further information (in person or by e-mail) at the address below during office hours from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Wednesday to Thursday except for public holidays.

Deadline for submission: Expressions of interest should be delivered by e-mail address to:

[email protected] and cc: [email protected] marked with the subject title of the position by 04 January 2024

Address of the Ministry: Main Street, near Presidential Place, next to the Ministry of Education, Hargeisa, SL.