Finn Church Aid (FCA) Somalia is looking for a Senior Project Manager (SPM) to take an integral role in supporting and expanding FCA’s peace and governance programming in Somalia. The SPM will oversee and manage the “Strengthening Inclusive Local Governance for Democratic Somalia (Horumar) Project.” This project aims to enhance inclusive community participation in decision-making, focusing on women, youth, and marginalized groups. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in Somalia’s democratization and inclusive governance efforts, aligning with the National Development Plan 9 (2020-2024), National Reconciliation Framework (NRF) priorities, and Somalia Stabilization Fund (SSF) III strategy. The Senior Project Manager will be based at FCA’s offices in Mogadishu and will occasionally travel to project locations. The Senior Project Manager will work closely with FCA’s Head of Programs, Country Director, M&E, Program teams, and the Grants Advisor.

Background info on FCA

FCA is the largest Finnish development aid cooperation. FCA works with the most vulnerable people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic backgrounds, or political convictions. FCA work is rights-based, which means that operations are guided by equality, non-discrimination, and responsibility. FCA operates in 12 countries around the world and specializes in three thematic priority areas: Right to Peace (R2P), Right to Livelihood (R2L), and Right to Quality Education (R2QE). For more information, please visit www.kua.fi.

In Somalia, FCA works across multiple sectors, including peacebuilding, education, and livelihood development. Since 2007, FCA Somalia (SOCO) has implemented reconciliation and state-building programs, supporting local governance and women’s political participation.

Scope of Work & Deliverables

The SPM is primarily responsible for overseeing and managing the “Strengthening Inclusive Local Governance for Democratic Somalia (Horumar) Project,” enhancing community participation, especially among women, youth, and marginalized groups. This role requires strong leadership, coordination, and communication skills to ensure successful implementation and alignment with Somalia’s National Development Plan 9, NRF priorities, and SSF III strategy. Responsibilities include supervising the project team, engaging with stakeholders, ensuring programmatic and financial compliance, and coordinating with other FCA projects.

Duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee the Horumar project’s implementation, including programmatic and budgetary planning, execution, and monitoring, ensuring compliance.
• Supervise Project Coordinators and programmatic staff, including M&E officers, project officers, the Peacebuilding Manager, and the senior advisor.
• Liaise with donors, Somali government counterparts, and partners; prepare for the Project Steering Committee; coordinate with peacebuilding and governance actors.
• Ensure coordination with SOCO’s other local governance projects and contribute to the Right to Peace (R2P) strategy.
• Collaborate with FCA’s finance, procurement, and HR departments to ensure contractual compliance and effective project management.
• Provide technical and programmatic guidance to project coordinators, ensuring alignment with democratization and local governance goals.
• Prepare and review concept notes, budgets, and donor reports; lead monthly program management meetings; plan field visits as needed.
• Prepare and update procurement plans; oversee procurement processes with SOCO committees and staff.
• Monitor partner and service provider implementation, ensuring contractual compliance and high-quality execution.
• Perform additional tasks to support the successful implementation of the Horumar project.
• Maintain donor relationships to identify possible grant funding opportunities, including representing at local donor meetings.
• Ensures FCA’s global policies for Safeguarding, Gender Equality, and Inclusion are fully embedded.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Country Director, Head of Programs, program staff and support staff (Finance and logistics); project partners; FCA Grants Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Reconciliation (MOIFAR), and National Organisations.

Duration of contract

The contract’s duration is 12 months, with the possibility of extension, a probation period of 6 months, and a mutual termination of 1 month.

Required Expertise and Qualification

The candidate must possess the below minimum qualifications and skills:

·University degree (post-graduate level) in a relevant field, e.g., peace and conflict studies, public administration, international relations, development studies, human rights, or similar.

·At least seven years of relevant professional experience from democratization, local governance, and/or development sector.

·Thematic expertise in democratization, local governance, and conflict transformation

·Experience working in East Africa is desirable.

·Experience in project management, project planning, M&E, and reporting.

·Experience in developing funding proposals, budgeting, and financial reporting.

·Excellent skills in analytical thinking and professional writing

·Fluent in oral and written English.

·Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working in multi-cultural environments.

·Excellent organizational skills and proactive management and coordination of work.

·Ability to meet deadlines under pressure.

The position will be filled as soon as possible. The compensation is based on FCA salary scale and the candidate’s level of experience.

Please apply by using the link no later than on 23rd July, 2024. Applicants will be short-listed and contacted for an interview on a progressive basis.

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is Finland’s largest development co-operation organisation and the second biggest organisation in Finland working in humanitarian aid. FCA is a founding member of the international aid alliance of churches, ACT Alliance. We seek positive change by supporting the most vulnerable people in fragile contexts. We specialize in supporting local communities’ right to peace, livelihoods and quality education. Qualified and interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy.

FCA practices zero tolerance against child abuse. FCA’s Child Safeguarding Policy applies to all FCA staff. FCA has zero tolerance concerning aid diversion and illegal actions and may screen applicants against international lists to ensure due diligence and compliance with Anti-money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism requirements.

FCA is certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS).