Somalia: Senior Transition Advisor

Senior Transition Advisor

Background

AECOM International Development (IDev) implements the Somalia Transition Initiatives for Stabilization Plus (TIS+) program, a large, complex, multi-year USAID-funded activity promoting stabilization, local governance, and community cohesion. TIS+ is implemented in Mogadishu and strategic Federal Member States.

The TIS+ objectives are: 1) Increase confidence in governance based on equitable participation in decision making and management of community assets; 2) Empower community and government representatives to engage with private sector and development actors in a collaborative process for community growth; 3) Increase Somali engagement in creating a more stable future; and 4) Reduce gender gaps in stabilization and development by supporting inclusive, sustainable development.

Objective

The TIS+ Senior Transition Advisor will be based in Mogadishu, Somalia; working directly with USAID and its counterparts on stabilization planning and execution.

To support the political and security transition in Somalia, USAID targets the conditions that enable violent extremist groups to destabilize the country. Working in vulnerable front-line areas, USAID employs a flexible, cross-sectoral approach in partnership with local government, civil society, and local communities.

With guidance and instruction from the USAID Stabilization Officer or designee, currently based in Nairobi, Kenya, the Senior Transition Advisor (STA) will, in coordination with USG stabilization partners, analyze political and security developments in the region as they relate to USAID’s program. That analysis will inform weekly, bi-weekly, and other reports to USAID/Somalia as required. The STA will also utilize this context analysis to contribute to USAID Somalia’s strategy, inform program decision making, propose and review potential grants and other activities, and provide oversight over program implementation in partnership with TIS+, one of USAID’s key partners in Somalia. Lastly, the STA will play a supportive role in the execution of activities that support overall USG objectives in Somalia.

The STA is expected to take initiative, act independently, and manage his/her tasks with minimal supervision. The STA is expected to actively and proactively collaborate with the USAID Stabilization Officer or their designee, and to fully embrace flexibility. The USAID Stabilization Officer and/or his or her designee will set overall objectives and will work with the STA to develop deadlines, projects, and work to be accomplished. The STA will be responsible for planning and carrying out assignments, resolving problems, and coordinating with others.

Keeping the USAID Stabilization Officer and/or his or her designee informed of progress, the STA may propose approaches to be taken and the methodology to be used to achieve programmatic goals and objectives for activities and engagement plans. This person will coordinate closely with Department of Defense (DoD), Department of State (DoS), and any other relevant agencies in order to strategically position the USAID Somalia program. The STA may identify potential activity ideas on the ground, and will pass those along to TIS+ staff, who will evaluate the ideas and assess whether they should be developed. Lastly, this person will provide additional perspective on activity ideas suggested by TIS+ staff.

Primary Responsibilities

The STA will be primarily based in Mogadishu, where AECOM IDev will provide accommodations and security arrangements, in accordance with USAID and AECOM IDev security protocols and regulation. The STA is also expected to meet with TIS+ staff, to include spending a significant amount of time travelling throughout Somalia and to Nairobi, Kenya. In close consultation with the USAID Stabilization Officer or their designee, the STA’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key partners and stakeholders to promote efficient coordination with USG and Somali government officials, DoS, USAID, DoD, AMISOM, UN, and other international community stakeholders;
• Serve as a liaison between USAID and DoD to ensure that USAID Somalia program’s stabilization strategies and activities are responsive to emerging developments on the ground;
• Provide regular reporting and analysis, as determined by USAID’s Stabilization Officer or their designee, on political and security developments in Somalia;
• Assist in the conceptualization and design of program strategies and objectives in close coordination with USAID and TIS+ staff;
• Assist in the regular review and refinement of strategic objectives and advocate on behalf of new programmatic approaches in-country and/or linked to neighboring country programs, where appropriate;
• Provide USAID and TIS+ staff with guidance on the identification and development of activities that meet program criteria, further programmatic objectives, and complement other activities implemented by USAID and other USG and international programs;
• Effectively communicate and coordinate with the USAID Stabilization Officer in order to fulfill the duties outlined within this SOW and fulfill all other reporting, analytical, and programmatic duties as they change from time to time according to the evolving needs of the program;
• Assist the USAID Stabilization Officer in collecting information and drafting/editing regular reporting products;
• Perform a wide range of administrative support functions including activity budget preparation, financial management, records management, and travel assistance, to help ensure programmatic success;
• Participate in discussions and planning with the USAID COR to develop an exit strategy ensuring reasonable time to transition from TIS+ to follow-on USAID or other donor programs; and
• Perform all other necessary duties determined by the USAID Stabilization Officer to ensure successful USAID program implementation.

Reporting and Working Arrangements

The STA will be seconded to USAID/Somalia and report directly to the USAID Stabilization Officer, while AECOM IDev will remain the employer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant work experience, or Master’s degree with 6 years of experience;
• At least six years of progressively responsible work experience of which at least three years includes working on developing countries and at least two years working in one or more countries undergoing conflict or political instability;
• Demonstrable working experience in program(s) requiring highly functional grasp of USG foreign affairs or an international assistance organization’s procedures and practices;
• Prior experience working with stabilization or political transition programming, military personnel, and inter-agency cooperation/integration is strongly preferred;
• Demonstrated experience working in a multi-cultural environment, leading and mentoring a diverse staff;
• Demonstrable English language writing and oral communication skills at the highly proficient level on matters germane to this SOW;
• Prior work experience in Somalia preferred, but not required;
• Professional experience in such areas as community stabilization, conflict mitigation, post-conflict recovery, addressing violent extremism is strongly preferred; and
• Current security clearance at Secret level provided by a USG contractor (e.g. DoD contractor) is required, but Top Secret is preferred.

Skills

This assignment requires experience in stabilization environments, demonstrated civilian/military experience, strong political and conflict analysis capacity, excellent managerial and communication skills, an ability to perform in a complex and highly sensitive political environment, experience in policy formulation and negotiation at the highest levels (government and non-government organizations), and a strong interest in assisting countries in transition. The candidate must be mature, self-reliant, a team player, a problem-solver, and able to manage a high volume of travel. The STA should have project management experience in a stabilization environment and understand the basics of grantee and contractor/donor relationships. The candidate should be able to communicate effectively with local government counterparts, grassroots organizations and their constituencies, USG agencies (including the military), and other international organizations. Since work may require continued changes in program direction and implementation, including frequent coordination, the individual will be someone who is highly flexible and willing to work under conditions of ongoing change.

Familiarity with a wide range of issues is necessary, including community development, mediation/arbitration, conflict resolution, democracy/governance and human rights. Knowledge and understanding of the region is also desirable. Prior work experience with USG agencies or managing programs in conflict environments is preferred. The successful candidate will possess excellent political analysis and reporting skills and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, responsibility and authority in a highly stressful environment while exercising sound judgment in politically charged and challenging security environments.

Physical Requirements

Employees must be willing and able to perform physical activities including, but not limited to, climbing in and out of armored vehicles and working outdoors. This includes being able to lift and carry 40 pounds of personal protective equipment for extended periods of time and being capable of running and ‘duck & cover’ exercises during emergencies without putting oneself or others at risk.

Living Conditions and Travel Expectations

This position is located in a conflict zone, in an environment with harsh and dangerous working and living conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be exposed to extreme and austere desert-like environments. Temperatures can reach 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit/32-38 degrees Celsius during the summer months. Employees must be willing and able to perform regular job requirements in this environment.

The STA will live and work in Mogadishu up to 90% of the time and may have access to Department of Defense (DoD) assets to be able to travel, with DoD or private security protection, to areas of Somalia that are inaccessible to USG personnel (including USAID staff) who fall under Chief of Mission authority.

The STA is expected to regularly travel to other locations in Somalia when the opportunities arise, as security conditions permit. When possible, the STA will meet with TIS+ staff to increase contextual analysis and provide feedback that is meant to inform TIS+ staff members how best to implement their program activities.

Outside of Mogadishu, AECOM IDev will arrange in-country travel and accommodations as needed. In Mogadishu, housing and security will be provided in accordance with AECOM IDev security regulations.

The STA will also be expected to spend up to 10% of his/her time in Nairobi, Kenya. While in Nairobi, the STA is expected to meet with USAID colleagues and USG government officials to provide political and contextual analysis. The STA is expected to stay in temporary housing and rely on local taxis/shared rides for ground transportation during his/her time in Nairobi.

Please send your cover letter and a copy of your resume to tenderbox.nairobi@somtisplus.com