Programme Officer_SP (2 positions are required)

Job Title:  Programme Officer_SP (2 positions are required)

Reports to:         Technically – Concern Programme Manager and Administratively - Director General (DG) of MoLSAF

Terms:                                  Full time

Salary:                                  GB4 step 1

Requirements:                 This job requires frequent travel within Somaliland, likely involving fieldwork or project implementation visits in operational area.  

About Concern:               

Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression.

Our culture is value driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

Role Purpose:  

MoLSAF and Concern Worldwide are jointly implementing a Social Transfer Project aimed in addition at strengthening government capacity, enhancing social safety nets, and improving socio-economic resilience among vulnerable populations. To support this effort, Concern Worldwide is seconding a Programme Officer to provide expertise in policy implementation, coordination, and capacity building within the Ministry.

Responsibilities:

·         Provide expert advice on social protection policies, strategies, and project implementation.

·         Support the Ministry in integrating best practices in social protection, cash transfers, and livelihoods resilience.

·         Contribute to the development and revision of relevant Social Protection policies, frameworks, and guidelines.

·         Facilitate smooth coordination between the Ministry, Concern Worldwide, and other key stakeholders.

·         Support the planning, execution, and monitoring of the Social Transfer Project to ensure timely and effective implementation.

·         Work closely with Ministry departments to strengthen programme delivery and institutional collaboration.

·         Conduct training and mentoring sessions for Ministry staff on social protection systems, monitoring, and policy implementation.

·         Provide technical support to improve data collection, analysis, and evidence-based decision-making.

·         Strengthen government capacity in Social Protection programme management, targeting mechanisms, and social protection financing.

·         Engage with national, regional and district stakeholders to advocate for increased investment in social protection.

·         Support the Ministry in developing and implementing an advocacy strategy for social protection expansion.

·         Represent the ministry in policy dialogues, Social Protection technical working groups, and coordination meetings.

·         Support the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for the Social Transfer Project.

·         Ensure the integration of lessons learned into policy and programme improvements.

·         Prepare reports, policy briefs, and recommendations for programme adaptation and upscaling.

·         Support the preparation of timely social protection progress narrative, financial, and other relevant reports to MOLSAF, other relevant government ministries (Ministry of Health Development, etc.), and Cash Transfers partners.

Adherence to Concern policies and guidelines:

·         Adhere to, support and promote the standards of conduct outlined in the Concern Code of Conduct & its Associated Policies and other key organizational policies and guidelines.

·         At all times comply with Concern’s Security Management Standard Operating Procedures.

·         Contribute to the establishment and implementation of preventive measures to reduce the potential for abuse or harm in Concern’s programming.

• All staff are responsible for upholding and promoting Concern’s values, including our workplace equality, diversity and inclusion, and safeguarding values.

• All staff are required to participate and contribute as necessary towards Concern’s emergency response as and when required.

Essential:

·         Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Development Studies, Management and discipline associated with social development, social protection.

·         At least 3 years’ experience in social protection advisory role with MOLSAF, INGOs and UN agencies.

·         Demonstrate technical skills and experience in pro-poor policy development, social protection and inclusion priorities and systems at ministerial level.

·         Demonstrate understanding of social safety nets and social protection priorities in Somali context, specifically in Somaliland.

·         Experience and skills in working on social protection consortium programmes related to social safety nets, protection, cash-based interventions and gender mainstreaming.

Desirable

·         Demonstrate solid experience and skills in leading national level policy dialogues, advocacy networks and coordination in particular policies related to social protection, gender, poverty alleviation etc.

·         Fluent in Somali, and English languages.

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

·         Ability to organize and prioritize workload, using initiative when appropriate.

·         Good team player, flexible and capable of working effectively.

·         Ability to cope with stress; work under pressure often to strict deadlines.

·         Flexibility, adaptability, and patience.

·         Facilitation and interpersonal skills.

·         Analytical and problem solving skills.

Competencies:                

For GB2 – 6 Roles:

Identify the 3-4 priority competencies required to be effective and successful in the role.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate abilities in the following priority competency areas (highlight 3-4 competencies in bold as appropriate):

We encourage all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or origin, disability, political beliefs, or socio-economic status to apply to become a part of the organization. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations and is committed to promoting equality. 

If this role sounds right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter. We will respond to every applicant. Please be aware we may offer positions before the closing date.

If you have any concerns about our recruitment process and need particular assistance - for example if you have a disability e.g. a hearing impairment - please let us know and we will do our best to respond to your needs.  

Interested candidates, who meet the above requirements, should submit their applications (cover letter and updated CV contacts) by email to [email protected]  with the subject line “Application for Programme Officer - SP” by Thursday 24th April 2025.

Due to the urgency required to fill in the position, short listing will be done on rolling basis and ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted for written test.

Concern is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Important information:

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct with three Associated Policies: The Programme Participant Protection Policy, the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisations, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in their work, in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Consequently, working or volunteering with Concern may be subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking. 

During this job application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation.