Somalia: Programme Specialist (Local Government Finance) LGF

I. Position Information

Job Title: Programme Specialist (Local Government Finance) LGF

Position Level: NOC

Position Number: 00135906

Position type: Fixed-term Appointment

Location: Mogadishu, Somalia

Reports to: Programme Management Specialist (P3), UNCDF

Direct Reports: 2 NOA Programme Analyst NOA (LGF)

Funded by: LIFT Somalia project resources

Duration: One year

Proposed Grade: NOC

II. Organizational Context

UNCDF makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 47 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: financial inclusion that expands the opportunities for individuals, households, and small businesses to participate in the local economy, providing them with the tools they need to climb out of poverty and manage their financial lives; and by showing how localized investments — through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance — can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion and sustainable development. By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 on eradicating poverty and SDG 17 on the means of implementation. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs.

The UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery in Somalia (UN JPLG) is a five-year joint programme comprising of ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-HABITAT and UNICEF. Local Investments for Transformation (LIFT) in Somalia project is aligned with JPLG in programming, objectives and focus areas, specifically supporting UNCDF interventions that complement JPLG.

The Programme’s overall goal is “creating an enabling environment for improved service delivery and greater stability, through improved legal, policy and system frameworks – building the knowledge of those working in and with local governments.” JPLG commenced in April 2008 and has now entered its third phase (2018-2023). It expanded geographically with average annual work-plans and budgets of USD 25 - 32M / year. JPLG works with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Governments of Puntland, Somaliland, South West, Jubbaland, HirShabelle, Galmudug, local governments, communities and non-state actors.

Under the JPLG/LIFT projects, UNCDF among others is specifically responsible for providing technical assistance fiscal decentralization, local revenue mobilization and implementation of a discretionary Local Development Fund(LDF) modality for enhancing locally prioritized service delivery and enhancing capacities for sub-national Public Financial Management (PFM)

UNCDF supports the review and development of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks for fiscal decentralization and local revenue mobilization including innovative approaches for resource mobilization that leverage the private sector, diaspora and financial institutions. UNCDF also focuses on drafting proposals for upgrading the Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfer(IGFT) systems in Puntland and Somaliland and preparing the design for a state-level IGFT system for the new Federal Member States(FMS). In coordination with Somali government counterparts, UNCDF will also support design and establishment of Local Government Finance Commissions in Puntland and Somaliland; drafting and validating of financing strategies and a dedicated financing vehicle for Mogadishu; development of Capital Investment Plans (CIP) and LG Financing Strategies; and research on a mobile platform for diaspora funds mobilization.

Within this context, UNCDF is looking to hire a Programme Specialist, NOC (Local Government Finance), based in Mogadishu, Somalia who will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Specialist (P3) and overall guidance of UNCDF Chief Technical Advisor (CTA). Two (2) Programme Analyst, LGF/FMS (NOA) based in Mogadishu and Garowe will be under the supervision of the Programme Specialist, LGF (NOC). Detailed organizational structure is attached.

The Programme Specialist (LGF) - NOC will work as part of the LIFT project team in ensuring sound management of the project activities and operations, including closely working with Government counterparts in South and Central Somalia among the new Federal Member States including Mogadishu. The incumbent will also provide oversight to project work in Puntland and any other relevant duties as assigned by the CTA and direct supervisor.

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of key functions:

• Ensure compliance with the strategic direction of project operations;

• Ensures sound financial & administrative management at district level for project activities under UNCDF/JPLG

• Manage effective set-up and management of the Local Development Fund, in coordination with CTA and other member of LIFT project team.

• Ensuring efficient procurement and logistical services for LIFT Project, in coordination with other partner agencies and in UNCDF/UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP).

• Ensuring efficient contribution to tasks related to advocacy, programming, monitoring and evaluation, and representation.

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1. Ensure compliance with the strategic direction of project operations focusing on the achievements of the following result:

• Ensures compliance of operations with UNCDF and UNDP rules, regulations and policies, implementing of project operational strategies and monitoring achievement of results.

• Provide advice on strategies, policies and plans affecting project operation, delivery of practice advisory, knowledge and learning services in general, and provides extensive input to review and amendment of guidelines and documents pertaining to local authorities with focus on planning, financial management and reporting, monitoring, evaluation and audits;

• Contributes to the design of longer term strategies and approaches to local governance and local development financing mechanisms;

• Contributes to enhancing the synergies and links between UNCDF activities on local finance activities and other approaches to local public expenditure management and financing of other agencies;

• Establishes collaborative arrangements with other potential project partners and appropriate operational partnership arrangements

• Provide constant monitoring and analysis of the operating environment, quick readjustment of the operations, advice on legal considerations and risk assessments;

• Provide input to knowledge building and sharing with regards to management and operations in the project including training of national project officer and administration/ finance officer

• Ensures proper project-filling system of documents

• Ensures timely follow up of routine actions and deadlines

1. Ensures provision to finance management and administration at district level focusing on achievements of the following results:

• In collaboration with other JPLG staff, ensure that delivery of inputs and outputs is in line with the project’s approved work plan the context of JPLG activities in target districts;

• In collaboration with other JPLG staff, provides capacity development and guidance to partners in general and to target districts in particular, for the implementation of UNCDF’s contribution to the JPLG workplan.

1. Contribute to effective set-up and management of the Local Development Fund:

• In collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Interior, other government agencies and UN partners, provides management and leadership in the area of fiscal decentralization, for sustainable financing of public service and infrastructure delivery at local level;

• Contribute to the set-up of the Local Development Fund, through close collaboration and dialogue with all relevant stakeholders;

• Lead in the management of the Local Development Fund i.e. ensure all the disbursement happen in compliance with set rules, regulations and guidelines;

• Oversees the use of Local Development Fund, and keeps a record of risk factors and manage any risk mitigation actions to be undertaken by UNCDF;

• Ensures that funds managed by the Local Development Fund are subject to regular audit;

• Provide support the Chief Technical Advisor in communicating regularly to relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the fund;

• Prepares exact financial and narrative reports on the use of the Local Development Fund;

• Ensures planning and reporting on activities related to the operation of the Local Development Fund, as appropriate;

• For all the tasks mentioned above, ensures a transfer of skills to relevant national actors involved in the management of the Local Development Fund;

• In collaboration with other JPLG staff, maintains regular contact with key partners as well as with UNCDF Chief Technical Advisor for information sharing and problem solving. This includes undertaking regular monitoring visits to project sites, regular follow up with partner institutions, and ensuring that project implementation is in line with UNCDF and UNDP policies and procedures;

• Carries out any other duties as requested by the Chief Technical Advisor

1. Ensuring effective and efficient procurement and logistical services in all partner agencies and in UNCDF:

• Oversee all procurement and logistical activities involving the use of UNCDF-managed funds in the framework of JPLG;

• In close coordination with ILO, helps unsure that partner institutes have the capacity needed to carry out responsibilities related to procurement and logistical services as indicated in agreements and project documents;

• Carries out any other relevant duties as requested by the Chief Technical Advisor;

1. Ensuring efficient contribution to tasks related to advocacy, programming, monitoring and evaluation, and representation;

• Enhancing the Synergies and links between UNCDF/JPLG activities on fiscal decentralization and other approaches to local development and public financial management of other agencies;

• Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the project for organizational sharing and learning

• Ensures information sharing that all partners are familiar with technical and logistical issues;

• Support capacity-building of national counterparts;

• Ensure appropriate representation of UNCDF in commitment 5 to UN rules, regulations and values.

• Provide effective and efficient provision in monitoring and evaluation activities in general and at district level in particular

IV. Impact of Results

The post has an impact on the implementation of the Local Development Fund, on local revenue mobilization and public financial management reforms in Somalia. Consequently, the post has an impact on the ongoing process of rolling out fiscal decentralization for sustainable administration, financing and delivery of services .and local development activities.

V. Competencies

Core Competencies

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 5:

Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to removes barriers

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Functional/Technical Competencies

Knowledge Management:

• Promotes knowledge management in UNCDF and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Builds strong relationships with clients (primarily Government), focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Ability to manage complex problems proactively and effectively, including responses to field based emergencies;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills;

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Advocacy & Partnerships:

• Proactively identifies, develops and discusses solutions for internal and external clients, and persuades management to undertake new projects or services; Comfortable advocating and advancing an agenda, including with high level counterparts and other stakeholders;

Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Required Skills and Experience:

• Advanced (Master’s) degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Business Administration, or related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) total years’ experience with Master’s Degree and seven (7) total years in case only with Bachelor’s Degree
• Relevant professional work experience in the area of finance, administration and project/operations management in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multicultural setting;
• Experience with local governance and/or public financial management is desirable;
• Understanding of the current economic, social and political dynamics of Somalia is desirable;
• Experience in usage of ATLAS is desirable;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English a must;
• Knowledge of Somali language is a requirement

Applications to be submitted on line at:https://jobs.partneragencies.net/erecruitjobs.html?JobOpeningId=19511&hrs_jo_pst_seq=1&hrs_site_id=2