Summary:

Job title	Project Officer
Project title	Strengthening livelihoods mechanisms for the IDPs, returnees and host community (SLM)
Purpose	To oversee the flow of the project
Location	Baidoa, Somalia
Duration	4 months
Start Date	1st June 2023
End Date	30^th Sept 2023
Reporting to	SCEC Director

Background:

Somalia is the most fragile state in the world, tackling protracted process of state building, rise in violent extremism and devastating humanitarian crisis. Most Somalis live at basic survival levels.

Baidoa is the capital city of southwest state of Somalia with an estimated one million population. The city remains as the epicenter for the IDPs, and returnees, where the humanitarian condition is alarming, and its economic activities center on pastoralism, agriculture and trade. Internal displacement persons, returnees and vulnerable host community therefore, has a negative impact on the access to food and livelihoods of all those who depend on pastoralism, even if they are not themselves displaced. Main income sources for vulnerable households are casual labour, followed by petty trade, self-employment, skilled labour, begging and remittances. These meager income sources often not enough to cover basic daily needs of IDP, returnee and host community households, including for food. In some IDP settlements most people rely on aid agencies as their main source of income.

According to the recent statistics, there are about 596,931 IDPs and 57,000 returnees settling in Baidoa. The newly arrivals have been adding a strain to the hardly existing basic services.

Youth unemployment estimated to be around 67 per cent, is particularly concerning when considering the young age of the Somali population: around 70 per cent is below the age of 30. Their lack of education, skills and livelihood opportunities frustrates young people and may encourage many towards radicalization or membership of criminal and other armed groups. Youth from vulnerable households need to be equipped with the right skills and knowledge to assist their livelihoods’ recovery and development.

A large number vulnerable people (IDPs & returnees) living in Baidoa lack the adequate skills and training to access job opportunities or need significant support to maintain good livelihood condition. Even skilled IDPs and returnees can be vulnerable as they find their abilities of little use in places of displacement.

Displaced populations from rural areas in Bay & Bakol regions find their agriculture and livestock skills unwanted in urban places of displacement. If IDPs are to be integrated in a sustainable manner, this must be facilitated through comprehensive vocational training programmes suited to current and future market needs and psychosocial support services.

In responding to these compounding challenging conditions that vulnerable people including IDPs and returnees are facing, SCEC is implementing GIZ funded project named “Strengthening livelihoods mechanisms in Baidoa to revive the livelihood sources for the IDPs, returnees and host community”. The aim of the project is to contribute the transformation of IDPs, returnees and host communities from being unskilled to potential skilled labours, entrepreneurs and business owners

Objective:

SCEC is seeking a Project Officer to ensure the proper implementation of the whole activities of the project.

Specific tasks:

Maintain and monitor project plans, schedules, work hours, budget, and expenditures, as well as prepare quarterly methodological planning for the activities and for the tasks with key milestones, timeline and deliverables, and in line with the activity plans.
Oversee the implementation of the activities while providing the required support when needed; coordinate activities and follow up on expenditure reports in line with the project activity plan.
Follow up on budget management in coordination with SCEC finance team, and prepare relevant analytical and narrative reporting for the project in accordance with relevant templates, requirements and deadlines and upon SCEC approval.
Ensure that the implemented activities meet the strategic objectives of the project and are aligned with project indicators.
Ensure all documentation is maintained appropriately for each activity.
Determine project changes, assess project risks and ensure constant feedback on the quality of implementation, taking corrective measures as necessary after SCEC’s approval.
Meet with SCEC and GIZ teams on regular basis for updates, follow up on development and progress of the activities as well as feedback.
Facilitate the organization and convening of meetings with relevant stakeholders including line ministers, GIZ team
Prepare minutes of meetings, progress reports, briefing, concept notes, attendance sheets, agenda etc.
Document and follow up on important actions and decisions from meetings.
Work in close coordination with the project team and provide them with necessary instructions for the implementation of the project.

Expected deliverables:

The Project Officer will provide the deliverables she/he is the focal person of the project.

Reporting:

Emails to be sent to SCEC Director, on a regular basis to make sure the activities of the project are well implemented and challenges faced.
Weekly emails to be sent to GIZ to keep it abreast of the progress of the project activities implementation and take its feedback and comments.
Internal report to be presented to SCEC team on a regular basis.

Expected background and experience:

The assignment requires the following qualifications and experiences from the Project Officer:

Bachelor’ degree in business administration, management, social sciences or other related discipline.
3-5 years of experience in project coordination and monitoring with focus on vocational skill training.
Experience with governmental and non-governmental entities is advantageous.
Familiarity with Humanitarian agencies work is desirable.
Good understanding of project management cycle and demonstrated experience in project implementation.
Effective report writing and analytical skills.
Good knowledge of gender and education issues.
Able to manage a high workload, meet tight deadlines and prioritize tasks.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal.
Strong organizational and delegation skills.
Strong development and team building skill.
Computer literacy in MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and Internet surfing.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must submit the following documents to demonstrate their qualifications:

A cover letter explaining their suitability for the position.
An updated copy of their Curriculum Vitae.

Prospective candidates should apply and submit the above-mentioned documents to the email address scec.open@gmail.com; or hand deliver to SCEC office, not later than 28^th May 2023 at midnight (Somalia time), ensuring the subject line is denoted with the heading: SCEC Project Officer, Baidoa.

Incomplete submission will be a ground for disqualification.