Title: Program Coordinator  

Number of Position(s): One (1) Position

Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland

Start date: Immediately

Initial contract: One year with possible extension

Reporting to: Executive Director

1.      About SONSAF

Somaliland Non-State Actors forum SONSAF is a leading civil society platform that aims to engage all Somaliland Non-Stat actors by improving their capacity and position. Since its establishment in 2008, SONSAF’s mission and primary objective are to enhance non-state actor’s voice through better coordination and networking that contributes in supporting non-state actors to possess a vibrant space in policy dialogue arena especially, peace-building, security, democratization, development sustainability and have concrete influence in formulating policies that address the needs of all citizens. Overall, civil society and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) can influence individual behavior and the institutions involved in all development sectors.

2.      Scope

The Program Coordinator will be in charge of ensuring successful implementation and oversight of SONSAF programs. The Programme Manager will be responsible for providing leadership, technical oversight and ensuring direct management of all project related activities. This role involves strategic planning, program design, grant management and team management, monitoring and evaluation, and collaboration with partners to achieve program goals.

3.      Duties and responsibilities

-          Under the leadership of the SONSAF executive director, the program manager will be responsible for organizing all project activities to support the strategic direction of the organization and overseeing the achievement of larger goals of the umbrella.

-          Designing project ideas, concept notes, and full proposals with the help of Executive directors

-          Establishing close cooperation and coordination with relevant CSOs, election stakeholders, political parties, and other partners in order to achieve organizational objectives.

-          Maintains an acute awareness and analysis of political and social dynamics which are relevant to SONSAF’s mandate and oversee the production of regular briefing notes for colleagues and other relevant stakeholders

-          Training project management teams and acting team leaders in the absence of the Executive director.

-          Creating master project plans to develop strategies that outline components, communications, milestones, priorities, needs and resources.

-          Developing and communicating master schedules containing timelines, identified resources, and key milestones/results that align with broad organizational plans, perspectives, and needs of the project.

-          Organizing, facilitating, and participating in meetings with stakeholder groups to identify needs and build consensus and collaboration.

-          Providing strategic and policy recommendations and hands-on advice on electoral issues based on prior experience in support of the credibility of the electoral process and strengthening national capacities in the field of elections.

-          Overseeing workshop set up and ensuring adequate branding of the venues – Transport and per diem reimbursements to participants

-          Attend partner planning and working group meetings, as needed, and provide minutes/reports

-          Drafting and/or leading the drafting of reports and documents related to project activities and conducting briefings to SONSAF Senior management and election stakeholders including NEC, CSOs, Political parties etc.

-          Provide technical leadership and oversight in program strengthening in the areas of leadership development, advocacy, civic engagement, governance, and institutional and community-based development.

-          Ensuring compliance with EU/USAID policies, rules and procedures in managerial and operational aspects.

-          Tracking and documentation of election-related information in the media

-          Taking of minutes of program meetings and ensuring distribution to all relevant staff, including SONSAF BODs, Executive Director and funding agents.

-          Assist with reporting of programmatic results, these will include weekly/monthly reports to Program Team, Donors, Annual reports, as well as other reports as required.

-          High performance of the project activities ensuring operational compliance with SONSAF rules, regulations and requirements.

-          Actively integrate the inclusion of a gender perspective in all project related activities and present or represent SONSAF when needed.

-          Liaising with partners on workshop invitations and making follow-ups on invited participants

-          Assist recruitment and contracting of individuals and organizations engaged in the implementation of project related activities

-          Conduct verification on accuracy of the project data and reports produced by the project team including, project officers, M&E, Communications and Finance officers.

-          Generate weekly, month, quarterly reports of the project activities.

-          Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

4.      Desirable requirements

·         Candidate must be experienced in project management, Civil Society organizations, and international organizations and familiar with EU grant guidelines and donor compliances.

·         She/ He should have extensive practical experience with developing program log frames. Co-creation and theory change.

·         Critical thinking and insightful situational analysis with a profound understanding of Somaliland politics and democratization process.

·         She/ He Must have knowledge about the private sector engagement and building relationships with government institutions.

5.      Supervisor/overall responsibility

The program manager directly reports to SONSAF Executive Director.

Education: Advanced university degree in international relations, public policy and governance, law, and project planning and management, public administration, development studies, and/or related field is required. Degree specifically in project planning and management will be an added advantage.

Experience:

• Master’s degree in; project planning and management, International Relations, Public policy, Strategic planning and law or equivalent degree in project/program management from recognized University/College. (at least 8 years of practical experience in program development, grant management and public policy development for international or local organizations including government.
• Demonstrated experience in budget analysis or writing analytical reports/briefs and preparing presentations;
• Demonstrated experience in project management and developing quality insurance.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with other civil society organizations, and governmental agencies;
• Substantial knowledge of citizen participation, community engagement, and public outreach mechanisms and processes;
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver related capacity building activities;
• Good interpersonal, leadership, communication skills and very good analytical skills;
• Solid experience with common Microsoft Office packages;
• Integrity, tact, discretion and demonstrated sensitivity to cultural differences.

Skills:          

• Professional writing skills. Co- creation and concept note development, policy briefing reports.
• Strong skills in budgetary/project analysis, strategic thinking, project management and ability to facilitate the involvement and collaboration of a broad range of stakeholders, INGOs, CSOs and NGOs;
• Excellent communication, cross-cultural, and negotiation skills;
• Ability to convene and work with all relevant national and international stakeholders;
• Ability to build, motivate and lead a team;
• Gender sensitivity and understanding of cultural diversity issues and cultural and social factors;
• Capacity to work under pressure and with a high degree of independence
• IT skills with experience in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Familiarity with EU/USAID rules and regulations and reporting requirements preferred
• Extensive experience in drafting official documents to be circulated at senior level
• Ability to work with results orientation and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment.
• Ability to perform effectively under high pressure, hardship conditions, and long working hours.
• Ability to prioritize, project planning and meet deadlines
• Demonstrable excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali

Apply through this email: [email protected]