Project Development Assistant (PDA)

Position:                                  Project Development Department

Department:                             Project Development

Location:                                  Mogadishu

Contract Duration:                   3 Months (renewable upon budget availability and performance)

Direct Hierarchy:                      Project Development Manager

Starting date:                           October 2026

Background on ACTED

Created in 1993, ACTED is an international non-governmental organization pursuing a dual mandate of emergency response and development interventions in 40 of some of the world’s most vulnerable countries affected by conflicts, disasters, or socio-economic hardships. With a team of 7,000 national staff and 400 international staff, ACTED implements 500 projects a year to support more than 20 million beneficiaries, notably in hard-to-reach areas.

ACTED goes to the last mile through programs and approaches that look beyond the immediate emergency towards opportunities for longer term livelihood reconstruction and sustainable development. Guided by the motto “Think Local, Act Global” and its 3Zero –Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon, and Zero Poverty – strategy, ACTED puts local territories at the Centre and provides a tailored support to local needs.

ACTED is looking for professionally confident, self-motivated, experienced, and committed team player to fill the Project Development Assistant (PDA) position in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Position Profile:

Within the Project Development Team, the PDA will work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, focusing mainly on supporting grant management, reporting, fundraising and communication. Under the supervision of the Project Development Manager, you will work closely with two Project Development Officers. You will act as a key focal point for project communications, facilitating coordination and information sharing between all relevant actors. You will contribute to fundraising efforts by developing high quality and compelling documents. You will also support grants management processes, including drafting reports, tracking of grant deliverables and deadlines, and following up on internal project management and reporting tools. In addition, you will support knowledge and information management by maintaining accurate project records, archives.

You will join a transparent, collaborative and energetic working environment which values initiative, and practical problem-solving. The position offers meaningful exposure to the humanitarian and recovery project cycle, collaboration with all the departments of the organisation and significant opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Duties and Responsibilities.

Project Development Documentation, Archiving and Digitalization

·         Ensure the timely and accurate digitalisation and offline/online filing of Project Development-related documents,

·         Properly file contractual project documents and ensure that Project Development Department files are always up to date;

·         Support the regular review and updating of the Project Development SharePoint folder and ensure that relevant documents are appropriately archived and accessible to the team.

·         Support the Project Development team in maintaining accurate and up-to-date trackers and internal databases.

Data collection and dissemination

·         Support the collection, compilation and processing of information and data required for internal and external reporting and communication.

·         Follow up with relevant departments to ensure timely collection of inputs for internal Project Development tools, (such as the Project Management Frameworks (PMFs), Monthly Reports, Means of Verification (MoVs) etc.)

·         Ensure that information received from Programme, MEAL, Finance, Logistics, HR and other relevant departments is reviewed, and archived properly.

Internal Coordination

·         Support the Project Development team with the translation of key internal documents as needed;

·         Support the Project Development department in conducting induction sessions for new Acted staff and ad hoc trainings.

·         Facilitate interdepartmental communication and information sharing by taking minutes of various Acted coordination meetings as required

Fundraising

·         Support the development of fundraising documents (be it expression of Interests/ Concept Notes/ Proposals) in line with Acted country strategy and donor requirements, under the supervision of other Project Development team members

·         Support the preparation and updating of materials for external engagement, including project factsheets, programme overviews, donor presentations and updated summaries of Acted’s operations

·         Support the Project Development team in maintaining up-to-date information on Acted’s programmes, achievements and areas of intervention for fundraising and external engagement purposes

Grant Management and Reporting

·         Support the Project Development team in the preparation, compilation and filing of Grant Agreements, Sub-Grant Agreements, amendments and related annexes, in line with Acted procedures.

·         Support the Project Development team by liaising with partners when required to develop Teaming/Grant Agreements in close coordination with relevant departments and Acted HQ.

·         Assist Project Development Officers with the preparation and follow-up of contractual reporting and supporting documentation, in coordination with Programme, MEAL, FLATS teams and in liaison with Acted HQ Grants Management as needed

·         Support the organisation of project kick-off and close-out meetings, including preparation of agendas, coordination of inputs and drafting of minutes.

·         Ensure internal teams and partners are aware of all communication and visibility requirements and collect pictures of their activities. Work in collaboration with MEAL to incorporate data on input, process, output, outcome and impact indicators, lessons learnt and best practices in reports and ensure consistency of MEAL reports with PD and programme reports.

·         Provide general administrative and coordination support to the Project Development team as required.

Communications and Visibility

·         Support in the development of communication and visibility products in line with donor guidelines.

·         Support the collection, organisation and archiving of appropriate photos, beneficiary stories and other communication materials, ensuring that relevant consent and donor requirements are respected.

·         Support the follow-up and review of communication and visibility products with reference to donor compliance, in coordination with Acted HQ.

·         Support the translation of communication and visibility products.

qualification, TECHNICAL and SKILLS

Required professional qualities

·         University degree in Law, International Relations or other relevant fields (political science, anthropology, sociology, linguistics etc.);

·         Proficiency in written and spoken English;

·         Strong writing and analytical skills, ability to present information clearly and concisely;

·         Competency in all web-based software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is strongly desirable.

Required personal qualities

·            Interest and knowledge in humanitarian and development fields is an advantage. Previous experience working in an international/national NGO would be an asset;

·            Developing and promoting effective collaboration within and across the departments to achieve shared goals and optimize results is essential;

·            Diplomacy and good communication skills is required for all interactions with project beneficiaries, Acted staff and other project stakeholders;

·            Flexibility and adaptability are essential, as well as the ability to plan, take initiative and organize work independently;

·            Willingness to learn and capacity to innovate. The Project Development Assistant must be proactive and eager to improve his/her own skills, and be capable to adapt, shape and develop tools best suited for Acted’s activities.

·            Must be able to work productively and respectfully with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures, in accordance with Acted’s Code of Conduct and related workplace policies

Application Procedure:

Qualified national persons with the required skills are invited to submit their applications accompanied by detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter as a single document i.e. with the cover letter being on the first page and the CV starting on the second page, detailing three work related referees and contacts to [email protected] and received on or before 5.00PM on 21st September 2026 with the subject line

‘PD ASSISTANT Mogadishu’. Please do not attach any other documents while sending your applications, if required they will be requested at a later stage.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ACTED will at no stage of recruitment process request candidate to make payments of any kind. Further, ACTED has not retained any agent in connection with recruitments.

ACTED is committed to protecting beneficiaries within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and any kind of misconduct. ACTED has specific policies, including PSEA and Child Protection, which outline the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, beneficiaries, consultants and other stakeholders and has zero tolerance towards misconduct. Any candidate offered a job with ACTED will be expected to sign ACTED’s organizational Policies and Code of Conduct as an annex to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.

ACTED is an Equal Opportunity Employer, however – Females and minority groups are encouraged to apply.