Somalia: Communications and Knowledge Management Officer

BACKGROUND

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an independent, non-profit organization (NGO), founded on the basis of humanitarian principles, and human rights based approach, to secure the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and to promote long term solutions to the problems of forced displacement. Danish Demining Group (DDG) is a specialized unit within DRC which implements mine action and armed violence reduction (AVR) programmes in fragile states throughout the developing world. The East Africa and Yemen region consists of programmes in seven countries including Somalia, Kenya, Yemen, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda and Tanzania.

DRC/DDG is one of the largest international Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) present in Somalia, with countrywide programmes implemented through six main sub offices in Somaliland and Puntland in the north and in Hiraan, Gedo, Bay and Banadir Regions in South and Central Somalia. DDG’s support to local communities and district authorities to address public safety and security issues in Somalia dates from 2008, and has so far reached 200 communities through a combination of funding from the governments of Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and United Kingdom, and the United Nations and the European Union.

DDG is commencing a multi-year DFID funded project covering 10 districts in South-Central Somalia. The project aims to contribute to peace and stability in fragile parts of South Central Somalia by strengthening the security and justice architecture. The project aims to achieve this through increasing effectiveness, accountability and community support of Federal State Police and improve citizens and communities access to justice through more representative and able traditional justice mechanisms working in collaboration with formal justice institutions.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Knowledge Management Officer will be a member of the DDG Somalia team and focus on knowledge generation, management and promoting shared learning among actors working on security and justice in Somalia.

The Knowledge Management Officer role primarily relate to component 4 mentioned above and will play a central role in the development of an online knowledge and monitoring system and facilitate the creation of a ‘community of practice’ of agencies working on security and justice related issues inside Somalia. The online security and justice knowledge hub shall provide easy and dynamic access to information relevant to DDG, DDG’s donors and the community of practice and thereby complement regular knowledge sharing and coordination meetings.

The Knowledge Management Officer will also support DDG’s regional work on strengthening borderlands knowledge generation and policy engagement.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Main tasks and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

Development of Somalia Security and Justice Knowledge hub

• In collaboration with colleagues establish a Security and Justice Knowledge Hub for Somalia, which shall support programme learning and adaptation, as well as work as a resource facility for conflict sensitivity in Somalia, collecting and organising relevant research and analysis reports, policy briefs, academic literature, grey literature, etc.
• Ensure data collection, analysis and presentation of evidence and new knowledge to inform programming and policy development.
• Support baseline, conflict analysis, lessons learning studies and other research/assessments

Contribution to DDG’s Borderlands Working Group

• Under leadership of DDG Kenya Country Manager, coordinate all Somalia engagement with DDG’s Borderlands Working Group in terms of research, communications support, and knowledge management.
• Develop concept notes and proposals for research and engagement on cross-border programs between Somalia and Kenya.
• Assist in developing communication materials for DDG Borderlands Working Group.

Organise coordination and learning events

• Facilitate and lead on community of practice groups on security, justice, and peacebuilding in Somalia.
• Organise meetings and learning events and ensure that they are well documented.
• Ensure that relevant information is circulated to the communities of practice.

Programme development and communications

• Develop DDG Somalia Communications strategy in coordination with Communications, Advocacy & Reporting Coordinator in order to improve knowledge sharing and dissemination.
• Coordinate research on security, justice, and peacebuilding in Somalia in coordination with the DDG Conflict Analyst and Policy Advisor in order to build evidence base for future programming.
• Conduct capacity building on communications and knowledge management with DRC/DDG staff in Somalia to improve quality of communications materials, reporting, and research.
• Support the Somalia team in resource mobilisation efforts, in coordination with DRC/DDG management, and program development unit; specifically through editing, providing evidence base for Theories of Change, and improving overall quality of proposals.
• Support efforts to coordinate with other actors and stakeholders to ensure that DDG programmes and approaches are well linked into other related initiatives.
• Disseminate results in varied ways to enhance use in reports and in decision making.
• Ensure documentation and consolidation of success stories, which can be communicated externally.
• Support completion of high quality written programme progress reports

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role, we expect that you are intelligent, articulate, organized and highly motivated to promote better and more community sensitive security and justice practices in Somalia. You should have strong communication skills and be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people from different cultural and professional backgrounds. You thrive in managing the challenges of working in the field under pressure and often in austere and restricted environments. You are a strong networker and enjoy working with teams of committed staff to build collaboration and capacity. You are a creative self-starter that is not afraid to think outside the box. You are passionate about ensuring high quality support to the security and justice sector in Somalia and conflict sensitivity of aid interventions in Somalia.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate each of DRC’ five core competencies:

· Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

· Collaborating: You are a strong networker and enjoy working with many different types of stakeholders; you involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

· Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while balancing the role of advisor and leadership.

· Communicating: You write and speak effectively and honestly and display political and cultural sensitivity, including ability to adapt well to local cultures.

· Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• Advanced degree in International Development, Peace Studies, Communications, or other relevant fields.
• Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience with developing or maintaining web platforms.
• Strong understanding of research and data collection and analysis.
• Strong interest and understanding of issues related to conflict management, security governance and participatory approaches to security and justice provision.
• High degree of computer literacy.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Desirable

• Experience working with international NGOs or operational UN agencies in highly complex and insecure contexts
• Experience in research and analysis in relevant fields as well as experience in linking strong analytical evidence with operational implementation.
• Programming experience in the areas of conflict management, social cohesion, peacebuilding, justice and rule of law.
• Experience in policy report-writing.
• Prior knowledge of and experience in Somalia.
• Ability to speak and write in Somali;

GENERAL

Commitments:

DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework into the work of DRC

Conditions

Availability: As Soon as possible

Duty station: Baidoa – Somalia; this is a Non Family Duty Station

Reporting: Programme Manager- DDG Somaila

Contract: 1 year contract dependent on both funding and performance. Salary and conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Global Expatriates (available at www.drc.dk under Vacancies). This position is graded as A17

For qualified National staff the terms of employment will be in accordance with DRC terms for National staff

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the position, please contact DDG Somalia Program Manager, Jordan Stone jordan.j@ddgsom.org

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council and Danish Demining Group, please consult www.drc.dk and www.danishdemininggroup.dk.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post.

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.dk under Vacancies.

Please forward the application and CV, in English through the online application on www.drc.dk under vacancies no later than 17^th July 2018

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact job@drc.dk