Program Implementation Director (Grade 12)

SCOPE OF WORK

USAID/SOMALIA PEOPLE-CENTERED GOVERNANCE (PCG) ACTIVITY

Position

Program Implementation Director (Grade 12)

Maximum Level of Effort

Full-time LTTA

Base of Operations

Mogadishu, Somalia

position reports to

Deputy Chief of Party

1. Background

The USAID People-Centered Governance (PCG) Activity is supporting local governments in southern Somalia to improve their effectiveness and legitimacy.  To accomplish this objective, the project implements activities aligned with two mutually interrelated and reinforcing immediate results, IR1) that District Councils (DCs) are fairer and more inclusive and IR2) that DCs improve their performance.  PCG will engage at the Federal, State and local levels and will eventually work in several districts within the three (i.e. Hirshabelle, Jubaland, and Southwest) federal member states (FMS) of Somalia. 

1. Purpose

The Program Implementation Director (PID) is a key personnel position and will play a critical role in implementing and ensuring the success of the PCG Activity. Based in the Mogadishu hub, the PID will oversee all of PCG’s fieldwork, to ensure responsive programming in federal member states and targeted districts. The PID will drive successful program execution, ensuring strategic alignment, quality assurance, and compliance.  The PID will ensure that the program's activities are aligned with the overall strategic goals and objectives set by PCG activity. The PID will directly manage the FMS Coordinators, providing them with support, capacity-building, and guidance throughout the project. S/he will also conduct regular field visits to district offices and intervention sites to ensure effective delivery and contribute to troubleshooting and problem-solving. Additionally, s/he will ensure timely reporting on field activities and serve as a key conduit of communication between the field teams and PCG leadership. Furthermore, s/he will foster a learning culture, and promote innovation to maximize program impact and achieve objectives.

1. Tasks & Deliverables

• Provide programmatic leadership to the PCG field-based teams and uphold DAI ethics and values in all aspects of program design and delivery.
• Under the leadership of the COP, DCOP, and in close coordination with USAID and Somali stakeholders contribute to key technical deliverables including the annual workplan, the monitoring, evaluation and learning plan, the gender equity and social inclusion strategy and action plan and other technical deliverables.
• Gather insight and project information from FMS Coordinators to contribute to quarterly reports, weekly reports and communication products to showcase the achievements, challenges and lessons learnt on PCG; ensure implementation teams embedded with stakeholders at the FMSs and target districts provide contributions to all reports.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to FMS Coordinators to ensure they are operating effectively at the State and District level according to PCG values and guiding principles, in accordance with all USAID and DAI rules and regulations.
• Quality assure and oversee the work and deliverables of grantees, subcontractors, and independent consultants.
• Understand and work through DAI systems particularly TAMIS and other project management systems.
• Act as liaison between FMS Coordinators and project Finance, Administration and Operations team, ensuring clear communication and understanding of project processes by field-based staff, prompt flagging of  operational, administrative or financial challenges for quick resolution by Hub-based staff, and close collaboration with the finance and operations team to ensure efficient budget management, adherence to financial procedures, and timely procurement of project supplies and services, to guarantee the ethical delivery of all PCG activities and compliance with DAI and USAID rules and regulations.  
• Engage with local communities and stakeholders, particularly at the FMS and district level, to gather feedback and ensure project activities are responsive to their needs and priorities, while also maintaining conflict sensitivity in all stakeholder engagement processes. 
• Work closely with COP, DCOP, and FMS Coordinators to design technical interventions well aligned with District stakeholders and PCG objectives that remain compliant with USAID and DAI policies and procedures. 
• Conduct regular field visits to assess project implementation, identify challenges, and provide on-the-ground support and guidance to field-based teams.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive capacity-building plan for the field-based teams, including FMS Coordinators and the field-based team including embedded district staff, to enhance their skills and knowledge in program implementation while providing ongoing mentorship, guidance, and supervision.
• Foster a strong team spirit and “one team” ethos among PCG team in Nairobi, Mogadishu, FMS offices, and all target districts and lead by example in DAI’s diversity, inclusion and accessibility principles.
• Proactively ensure gender equity and social inclusion in recruitment processes and find creative ways to ensure that the PCG team of professionals is diverse and inclusive.
• Regularly communicate with the DCOP regarding project planning and implementation, risk and problem identification and rectification. 
• Collaborate with the MEL/CLA Director to ensure effective data collection, analysis, and reporting for tracking project progress and outcomes of project activities, while also ensuring; field-based staff have a voice in project-wide learning, Pause & Reflect sessions, and other MEL / CLA activities.
• Engage with local communities and stakeholders to gather feedback and ensure that project activities are responsive to their needs and priorities.
• Coordinate with the Communications team to develop communication materials and success stories showcasing the impact and achievements of the PCG Activity.
• Proactively identify risks and challenges in project implementation and work with relevant stakeholders to develop mitigation strategies.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with key government counterparts and other implementing partners to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Stay informed about the political, social, and economic context in Somalia to ensure the project's responsiveness and relevance to changing dynamics.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations for direct reports, providing feedback, and identifying opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Assist the COP and DCOP on other time sensitive and priority tasks not listed above.   
• Understand DAI and USAID rules, regulations, processes and systems for compliant project implementation. 
• Ensure safeguarding of staff and a strict zero tolerance policy towards corruption and unethical behavior  
• Uphold DAI ethics and values in all aspects of the job 
• Uphold DAI ethics and values in all aspects of operations and team management 
• Other tasks as requested by Deputy Chief of Party. 

• Bachelor degree in governance or a related field.
• 5 years of progressive experience in program management.
• 10 years of experience in implementation of governance projects.
• Prior working experience in Southern Somalia preferably in districts.
• Proven oral and written language skills in both English and Somali.
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with Somali counterparts and other key stakeholders.

1. Base of Operations

The PID will be based in Mogadishu, Somalia 

1. Reporting and Supervision

The Program Implementation Director will report to the DCOP and will supervise the FMS Coordinators.

Interested applicants should apply through the following link: https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/ngebny1xup/index