Country Representative, Somalia (Based in Kenya) - Trócaire

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Country Representative, Somalia (Based in Kenya)

Trócaire
Closing date: 23 Nov 2010
Location: Somalia

Description of the unit / department: The Horn & East Africa Region (HEARO) is one of five regions where Trócaire works overseas, with its regional office based in Nairobi, Kenya. Somalia is one of five priority countries within HEARO.

Background to the Role: Trócaire’s programme in Somalia is located in the Gedo region. The programme is comprised of health and primary education components, supported by a strong advocacy agenda. The recently-developed Strategic Framework for Somalia has a strong emphasis on quality combined with greater integration of the health and education programmes, appropriate humanitarian response and clearly defined advocacy. All of this work is carried out with a strong developmental perspective. The programme is supported by staff and offices in Mandera and Nairobi. The annual budget for the country programme is approximately €2million.

Reporting to: HEARO Regional Manager, or designate.

Managing: (Individuals/ Team)   

Managing the following roles:
•Health Programme Manager
•Education Officer
•Advocacy & Funding Officer
•Finance Manager
•Community Liaison Coordinator
•Operations Manager

Contract Type: Fixed term
Contract Duration: 2 years
Grade and Scale: Overseas Country Representative
Location of Position: Nairobi, Kenya. When possible, travel to Mandera, Kenya and Gedo, Somalia, will be part of the job, as will occasional travel to Ireland.

Scope of the Role: The Country Representative provides leadership and strategic direction to Trócaire’s work in Somalia, aligning this work within the programming and advocacy agenda of the wider organisation.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Representation

•Represent Trócaire’s interests in Somalia, in particular, liaising with Government Institutions, UN agencies, EU and donor delegations, community groups and elders, international & local NGOs;
•Represent Trócaire in its relationship with local partner organisations, sister agencies including those from the Caritas/ CIDSE networks, and other local networks;
•Undertake media work on behalf of Trócaire as requested and link with visiting delegations, such as from Irish Aid or other donor partner groups;
•Participate in, and link with, local and national civil society fora.

Management and Administration
•Take responsibility for the leadership and management of Trócaire’s staff and programme in Somalia;
•Ensure efficient and strategic use of all resources within the programme and aim to minimise risk for Trócaire;
•Develop and manage a supportive and motivating work environment for the team;
•Agree key performance indicators in relation to individual team members, and identify training needs within the team;
•Monitor all aspects of the programme and ensure timely and effective delivery of the programme’s objectives;
•Monitor all aspects of financial management, including the preparation of budgets to Trócaire head office/regional office, ensuring adherence to approved budgets and developing financial reports;
•Contribute to the strategic direction of programmes in HEARO and the International Department;
•Liaise with Trócaire’s cross organisational teams based in Ireland and identify aspects of Somalia programme work which can contribute to achieving the global strategic plan;
•Submit annual reports on overall work, as well as regular assessment reports on socio-economic and political status;
•Facilitate field visits as required by Trócaire staff or visitors invited on their behalf;
•Participate in regional meetings of HEARO team;

Programme Development
•In the context of the Strategic Framework, oversee (where possible) the ongoing development of a community based development model in Gedo, Somalia;
•Ensure the ongoing monitoring of humanitarian needs in Gedo, and recommend appropriate response;
•In collaboration with programme staff, progressively review interventions to ensure they meet the highest standards, and support programme staff in their management of programme activities and the development of partnerships;
•Ensure programme interventions are in line with emerging national policies for Somalia and participate actively in Somalia coordination fora;
•Ensure the production of high quality programme reports for Trócaire’s purposes (donor reports, PPD reviews, annual reports, partner reports);
•Identify and develop institutional funding opportunities to fund programme interventions;
•Oversee comprehensive analysis of the national socio-economic and political situation;
•Support the development and delivery of well-documented advocacy strategies
•Support the introduction of Trócaire’s cross cutting themes in gender and HIV-AIDS mainstreaming.

Security/ Risk Management:
•In the context of the Regional Security strategy and procedures ensure excellent security management of Trócaire Somalia staff and programme;
•Closely monitor the security and political situation and carry out risk assessments of all Trócaire interventions in Somalia;
•Communicate any significant organisational risks to Regional Manager and Head Office.
•Ensure timely reporting of security issues to Regional Manager and Trócaire Security Liaison Officer.

Person Specification – Essential Requirements (E)

(E) Qualification   
•Graduate level education in development studies, public health or a relevant subject.

(E) Experience   
•At least ten years’ experience of working with an international organisation, preferably in Horn & East Africa, with at least five years management experience;
•Experience of managing operational programmes, preferably in the health sector, and ideally in conflict or post-conflict situations;
•Good understanding and experience of project management cycle, participatory appraisal techniques, and budget management;
•Proven track record of securing donor funds and managing donor relationships;
•Experience of managing advocacy work in complex and politically sensitive environments.

(E) Skills   
•Ability to manage a diverse programme team and build their capacity;
•Sound knowledge of public health and community development;
•Strong writing and analytical skills;
•Good security management skills;
•Computer competency in main Windows applications.

(E) Qualities   
•Commitment to Trócaire Partnership, Vision, Mission and Values and ways of working, including an understanding of a partnership approach to development;
•Ability to build successful relationships and to work cross-culturally;
•Innovative, flexible and able to work in stressful and insecure environments;
•Familiarity with global justice, development issues and humanitarian advocacy.

(E) Other   
•Availability to work outside normal working hours and to travel extensively, and occasionally internationally;

Person Specification – Desirable

•Knowledge of the Somalia working environment
How to apply
To apply for this position please send completed application forms to Jason Rice HR Officer, Trocaire email: hr@trocaire.ie

Closing date for receipt of applications is 23rd November 2010.

Reference Code: RW_8B2DKX-4