Programme Support Expert, (Nairobi) – UN HABITAT

Job Description

ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: UN-HABITAT

DUTY STATION: Nairobi/ Kenya with travel to Somalia if security permits

FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Programme Support Expert

DURATION: 5 working months

CLOSING DATE: 23 January 2018

BACKGROUND

UN-Habitat Somalia is implementing the Federal Government of Somalia – United Nations Joint Programme on Youth Employment together with UNDP, FAO and ILO under the Peace and State Building Goal 4 “Economic Foundations”. The joint programme targets three outcomes:

  1. Improved long-term potential for growth, productivity and inclusive employment through six value chains implementation plans.
  2. Enhanced longer-term employability of youth in sectors with high growth and employment potential.
  3. Productive infrastructure rehabilitated through labour-intensive methods.

UN-Habitat’s contribution lies in component 2: Enhancing longer-term employability of youth through skills development. The goal of UN-Habitat’s contribution to the joint programme is to improve the livelihoods of conflict affected youth, both men and women, through the development of a One Stop Youth Resource Centre in Mogadishu and 2 satellite canters in other urban districts in Somalia that address the livelihood and psychosocial needs of Somali youth in a holistic manner.

The main objectives of the One Stop Youth Resource Centre are to:

  • Increase employment opportunities for youth through vocational and business skills training and promotion of entrepreneurial practices,
  • Provide safe spaces for youth to meet and access – in addition to livelihood and employment training – life skills training, psychosocial information and support as well as educational and social resources and activities.

Previous and on-going experience in Mogadishu has enabled the development of key focus areas based on primary needs and gaps in the local economy. A key component of the One Stop Youth Resource Centre in Mogadishu will therefore focus on construction skills training and construction material production. Mogadishu’s construction sector is booming and strongly contributes to the recovery and development of the city, not only in enabling the physical reconstruction of the city but also in stimulating further economic growth through linkages to other economic sectors such as ancillary industries, suppliers and contractors. Construction also plays a significant role in employment as it is a labor-intensive industry with manpower requirements ranging from highly skilled professionals to unskilled laborers.

The construction industry in the city also sees a high percentage of imported construction materials; this leads to high construction and transportation costs. Producing basic construction materials locally not only protects the environment and reduces dependency on the world market, but also constitutes a large economic opportunity for the city, and the wider country.

Providing vocational skills training in the production of construction materials to unemployed youth and supporting them to generate their own income, access wider employment in the sector, or potentially start-up a small construction business, offers an unequalled opportunity to create livelihoods for a whole sector of society; one whose potential to boost the economy and promote peace is often disregarded or underutilized.

Project Context

As a consequence of 20 years of conflict, Somalia is faced with a very young population at a median age of 17.7 years old. 37% of the total population is urban, a number which is expected to increase at a rate of 3.79% annually. The conflict has led to large-scale internal displacement. Lacking the funds to move and resettle elsewhere, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and rural-urban migrants remain in the city, as their best chance of accessing livelihood opportunities.

Unemployment rates have soared, particularly among youth. 67% of Somali youth are unemployed. In a country where youth (aged between 14 – 29 years old) comprise 42% of the population, this constitutes a significant challenge. Faced with grim prospects for the future, over 60% of Somali youth have intentions to leave the country for better livelihood opportunities. Conflict, poverty, being jobless and voiceless leave youth frustrated, and can fuel conflict escalation and anti-social or violent behavior; this has significant social costs.

For example, with regards to inland militia activities and piracy, youth form the bulk of the force hired to carry out risky manual tasks such as manning the frontline and leading attacks. Payout for these tasks is estimated to be very meager— an average of $50 USD per month. With a major section of society in destitution, youth are drawn to these illicit engagements partly out of the need to make ends meet.

In the Somali region, as in most other post-conflict contexts, institutions have to be built again, and with them, the human capacity to manage and guide development. In this context, capacity development is not easy, but it remains the foundational activity for creating sustainable urban centres.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and the direct supervision of the UN-Habitat Project Manager, the incumbent will be in charge of supporting the deliver the following responsibilities:

Programme Development Support

  • Conduct required research and analyses,
  • Contribute to the formulation of Terms of Reference for project partners and consultants,
  • Contribute to developing and managing Agreements of Cooperation with implementing partners, consultancy contracts, small scale service agreements and other contracts,
  • Contribute to managing consultants and partners ensuring timely delivery of outputs
  • Contribute to narrative and financial reporting, monitoring and evaluation, including data cleaning and analyzing,
  • Contribute to visibility and communication measures,
  • Support the project coordinator and the implementing partners in any other required way.

Economic and livelihoods development support for vulnerable groups

  • Support in the drafting of work plans and evaluation framework for the implementation of livelihoods projects in Somalia.
  • Liaise with local organizations, government institutions and other development actors and establish local and international partnerships.
  • Provide technical backstopping in implementation, monitoring and evaluation of livelihood project activities for vulnerable groups including women and youth in target locations.
  • Lead in providing training and support to consultants on the delivery of activities on the youth employment programme.
  • Provide substantive guidance and technical advice on local economic opportunities and affairs, to staff in the field on employment generation and creation of livelihood opportunities.
  • Lead in organizing and conducting job fairs for graduates and the community designed to link beneficiaries to the employers in the local economy.
  • Support and lead in the roll-out of vocational skills training, livelihood training courses and selection of beneficiaries and integration into labour market in target locations.
  • Supervise and provide technical guidance and for start-up support to vulnerable women’s groups based on identified economic opportunities.
  • Devise advocacy campaigns (or contribute to existing ones) in all of Somalia, to mobilize the public and employers to discuss employment opportunities for women and youth in collaboration with private sector.
  • Supervise and provide technical assistance on the implementation of the marketing and networking strategy.
  • Lead in developing and reviewing the curriculum for training facilities. Design and implement Training of Trainers courses and provide technical assistance to local trainers.
  • Monitor project impact on the productivity, income, employment opportunities and social activities identifying corrective measures and utilising feedback loops to improve effectiveness of vulnerable groups including women and youth.

Proposal development support

  • Assist the UN-Habitat Somalia Programme in developing project proposals, concept notes and other documents for development of new projects
  • Design and lead resource mobilization for projects in relation to youth, peace and security, public private partnerships and women’s economic empowerment.

COMPETENCIES

Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards. Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN-HABITAT. Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology

Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Advanced university degrees in development studies, international relations, international development or related fields. A first level university degree in combination with relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Professional Experience

A minimum of four years of experience in international development and/ or economic development. Proven experience in executing economic growth, urban economic development initiatives and vocational skills projects. Experience in implementing gender responsive programmes and experience in working in post-conflict environments is desirable.

Language

Proficiency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of Somali language is an advantage.

Other

  • Proven knowledge in project management and coordination
  • Proactive, results oriented, independent, able to identify and carry out duties and responsibilities with minimum supervision.
  • Professional, supportive and cooperative in all matters within the work setting, problem-solving oriented.
  • Maintain confidentiality with regards to all work-related issues
  • Strong conceptual and analytical capacity with ability to conduct independent analysis and evaluation, to identify issues, and to formulate sound recommendations
  • Strong writing and editing skills.

How to apply:

Applications should include: ·

  • Cover memo (maximum 1 page) ·
  • Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
  1. Educational Background (incl. dates)
  2. Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
  3. Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
  4. Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
  5. Expectations regarding remuneration

All applications should be submitted to:

UN-HABITAT Somalia

P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya

Deadline for applications: 23 January 2018

UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: [email protected]

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