Job Title: Chief Executive Officer, Somalia Accountability Programme
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Management responsibility: Finance Director, Communications Manager, Procurement Manager
Reporting to: Head of Horn of Africa Region
Key Relationships: Director of Programmes, Africa and MENA, Somalia/land Country Manager, Director of Policy & Advocacy, Director of HR/Operations and Head of Funding, IAAP Project Leads/Directors
Salary range: Competitive INGO salary package
Background: DFID is currently seeking tenders for a Prime Contractor to manage the ‘Implementation and Analysis in Action of Accountability Programme’ (IAAAP) in Somalia.
Implemented through a consortium, the IAAAP will lead extensive action research and in-country programming to directly address and provide a better evidence basis for interventions which can improve accountability.
The IAAAP will consist of a design phase (start-up & inception) for nine months and an implementation phase of 46 months.
The Chief Executive Officer will have strategic & overall leadership responsibility for all aspects of programme management across the IAAAP consortium.
Saferworld is an independent non-governmental organisation that works to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives.
We work with civil society, governments and international organisations to encourage and support effective policies and practices through advocacy, research and policy development, and through supporting the actions of others.
We have a strong thematic focus to our conflict prevention work prioritising: access to security and justice services; arms controls; aid and conflict; and governance and peacebuilding.
We contribute to lasting change in specific countries and regions and internationally through a combination of research and policy development, advocacy and through supporting practical action at the local level in conflict-affected societies.
We currently have country and regional programmes in Central and South Asia, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, the Horn and Great Lakes regions of Africa and the Middle East and North Africa.
Job Purpose: Saferworld is seeking a high performing strategist and executive officer with a proven record in leadership and senior management experience to fill the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the anticipated DFID Implementation and Analysis in Action of Accountability Programme (IAAAP) in Somalia.
The Chief Executive Officer will have overall leadership responsibility for all aspects of programme cycle management across the IAAAP consortium.
This position is subject to project award and funding.
Key areas of responsibility:
1: Strategic planning and programme development
2: People management
3: Fundraising and financial management
4: Policy, research and communications
Duties:
1: Strategic planning and programme development
- Lead the Programme Inception Phase to design a combined research and implementation programme to address issues of accountability in Somalia.
- Lead on the strategic development of the programme
- Oversee and support procurement
- Oversee implementation and monitoring of strategic interventions in Somalia designed to improve accountability of state and non-state actors.
- Undertake high-level representation for the programme with Somali and international policy-makers and other senior officials of national and donor governments and international agencies.
- Oversee and support the development of relations with other partners in the programme to deliver research and interventions to further the programme objectives.
- Manage the implementation of particular programme tasks as determined by capacity needs and strategic significance.
2: People management
- Oversee the recruitment of outstanding staff for the programme during the Start-up Phase, in line with Saferworld’s recruitment policy. Manage the recruitment of short term staff during critical periods.
- Monitor and support the performance management of staff aiming at building a high performing team;
- Manage the performance of direct line reports and oversee other senior staff and consultants where necessary;
- Play an active role in developing programme systems and policies, following Saferworld’s protocols.
- Ensure organisational security protocols and duty of care standards are maintained by the team
- Ensure the physical welfare, well-being and professional development of programme staff
- Ensure effective relations are maintained with other parts of Saferworld.
3: Financial and funding management
- Oversight of financial management systems including reporting functions.
- Oversight of financial reporting systems for partners, sub-contractors and grantees
- Oversee reporting to DFID, ensuring it is in line with the requirements of the grant.
- Ensure regular engagement with contacts at DFID.
- Ensure that programme staff, partners, sub-contractors and grantees understand financial management and control policies, and work within their budgets to deliver agreed priorities.
- Ensure that high levels of budgeting and financial management is maintained
4. Policy, Research and Communications
- Work closely with the Political Economy Research Director, promote the work of the IAAAP to national and international policy-makers.
- Ensure that the research informs best practice of future accountability interventions in Somalia.
Person Specification
- At least 10 years’ senior management experience working on implementation and management of large-scale development programmes in Fragile and Conflict Affected States (FCAS)
- An excellent understanding of governance and accountability issues in the context of Somalia and Somaliland
- High level corporate management skills
- Strong networking and partner management skills - able to interface between all IAAAP partners, DFID and other stakeholders
- Ambassadorial - Owner of a wide global network of contacts in governments, UN Agencies, INGOs, and at corporate level in partnering organisations.
- Experience in research, fragile states and governance reforms
- Master’s degree or higher in international relations, development studies, political science or a related field, or set of relevant professional qualifications, in project management
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout Somalia, (security conditions permitting,) in order to be able to gain first-hand knowledge about project interventions.
- Proven ability to manage and motivate staff at all levels, including experience of remote management of staff.
- Experience of budget development and financial management
- Excellent written and spoken English, and knowledge of Somali is desirable
- High level communication skills, including experience of communicating effectively across cultures and with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing;
Terms and Conditions
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Salary: Competitive INGO salary package
Contract length: The position is subject to project award and funding
Application Process
Please email your CV and a letter detailing how you meet the selection criteria to Marie Aziz at recruitment@saferworld.org.uk (please use heading: Ref: CEOS)
Deadline for applications: 6th July 2014