Humanitarian Technical Advisor

Founded in 2008, Rural Education and Agriculture Development Organization (READO) is a leading national non-governmental organization in Somalia that implements emergency aid intervention and development programs. Independent, private, and not-for-profit, READO employs strict political and religious impartiality, operating according to humanitarian principles and sharing transparency.

Since 2008, READO has been responding to the multiple shocks facing Somalia by implementing humanitarian emergency response, recovery, and development programs targeting mainly impoverished agro-pastoral, riverine, and IDP communities in Somalia with funding from various international partners. READO programs in Somalia focus on building capacity to respond to emergency outbreaks in the following thematic areas: Food Security & Livelihoods, WASH, Protection, Education, Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution, Health, and Nutrition.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

READO currently seeks a Humanitarian Technical Advisor for its Somalia program, based in Nairobi/Somalia. The position will lead the program and grants unit with leadership in strategic programming and planning, ensuring program quality, promoting strategic growth, and strong external and internal representation and advocacy. S/he must be able to motivate and lead a diverse staff, effectively manage programs, partnerships, and budgets, and develop new program areas for READO.

S/he will play a central role in contributing to the work of READO at a challenging and exciting time. S/he is a key member of the country’s senior management team. s/he will be responsible for developing the country’s program and coordinating the implementation of the country’s strategic plan. S/he will enhance the programming and managerial skills of key staff.

The Head of Programs will lead, develop, and manage the program team to achieve the aspirations of READO Country Strategy 2023-2028 through Program Development, effective coordination, consolidation, technical support, and guidance by ensuring a cohesive team spirit and motivation to perform. They manage and provide resource mobilization, prioritization, allocation, and work plan coherence to deliver the READO Country Strategy. S/he will report to the Executive Director closely with the Project Development Manager.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

STRATEGIC PLANNING

• Contribute to the implementation of the Country Strategic Plan for Somalia through committed investment in the achievement of the plan objectives, regular review of plans, and discussions with the team
• Led the country program in strategic program development by undertaking regular multi-sector assessments and designing innovative approaches to respond to the needs of the population in Somalia.
• To ensure alignment with strategic priorities and provide technical leadership and strategic assistance to program staff in designing, implementing, and monitoring program activities.
• Ensure the best practices and standards are applied and facilitate robust learning for evidence-based health and nutrition programming.
• Support funding acquisition by providing technical/design leadership, leveraging existing learning, identifying and cultivating strategic opportunities, and assisting country programs in developing winning proposals, advocacy, and recourse mobilization.
• Mentor and build the capacity of Country Program staff,

TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP AND ASSISTANCE

• Provide technical guidance and solutions to READO country programs designing, implementing, and monitoring-related programming; this shall include, but not be limited to, the following responsibilities:
• Ensure the overall project implementation of the work plan activities, including M&E activities, reporting meetings (Cluster Meetings, other existing coordination structure, and any other ad-hoc meetings at the Nairobi level), and sometimes visits to project area and facilities,
• Constantly monitor all programs that include FSL, Protection, Nutrition, Health, WASH, and humanitarian situation, assess needs in the project areas, and propose to the Program Coordinator appropriate actions/interventions that could be undertaken, including the design of new actions for the future program.
• Give support, advice, and directions to the Field core staff to conduct ongoing monitoring of the project against objectives outlined in the project using methods and tools developed by READO.
• Consolidate internal reports from field staff based on weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports as required and share them with the donors
• Develop a vision for programming and assist country program staff in developing country-program strategies that align and other priorities for impact.
• Engage in project start-up, monitoring, analysis, course corrections, and evaluations to ensure high-quality, impactful program implementation.
• Support programs in developing quantitative and qualitative assessments, including baseline surveys, rural participatory evaluations, operations research, and analysis of results, as needed.
• Share guidance in using relevant agency policies and frameworks in developing country-level programs and project proposals, especially the Integral Human Development framework, for all programs.
• Liaise with all programs for FSL, Protection, nutrition, health, and WASH to Program Impact & Quality Assurance (PIQA) to share Program Coordinator and Project Managers through virtual and in-person meetings to ensure high-impact programming.
• Support the Executive Director in developing and managing relationships with country donors.
• Monitor and advise on program and project spending and variance reports as per organizational process and procedures
• Manage the expenditure and disbursement of resources allocated to the program department
• Support Profile and Opportunity Grant Tracking System (OGTS)

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

• In charge of strategy implementation, this position will coordinate with technical staff and identify viable, active, and potential donors and partners to expand the funding pool.
• In coordination with the Executive Director and the Program team, ensure the development of new program opportunities in line with READO’s Mission Statement and Strategic Plan.
• Develop advocacy mechanisms and identify networks for coalition building. Provide leadership in new program/proposal development planning.
• Participate in analyzing growth opportunities to ensure strategic alignment and capacity to implement excellent programs.
• Advise on aligning teaming modalities, project strategies, and identity guidance on integrated programs, recourse mobilization, and funding opportunities.
• Provide technical direction and content to project proposals, and assist in writing proposals for appropriate support and technical Inputs
• Lead or participate in design workshops for large and complex proposals, as appropriate, including defining appropriate monitoring systems, transparent implementation, and indicators.
• Review integrated and standalone health and nutrition proposals to ensure the application of agency and international standards and best practices.
• Be familiar with and advise on integrating relevant donor strategies and other potential donors interested and their technical approaches.

MENTORING AND CAPACITY BUILDING

• Mentor staff from across the region working in programs, including facilitating a community of practice exchanges; advising on staff development plans; and other required staff; supporting onboarding; and identifying, organizing, and promoting relevant training.
• Contribute to knowledge management in the app programs. This may include, but is not limited to, documentation, engaging in communities of practice to share and disseminate lessons learned, and promising and evidence-based practices.
• Developing learning and training strategies and conducting training and workshops, and mentoring and coaching

FINANCE/ GRANT MANAGEMENT

• Directly work with the Grants unit to ensure that donor compliance and relations are established and maintained.
• Work with the program managers and the finance department to track monthly project expenditures against the program budget.
• Recommend grant and budget revisions in consultation with the Technical/Field Staff
• Assist in budget development with the field teams and program coordinators in consultation with finance and operations departments
• Coordinate and review all program donor reports and new project proposals in collaboration with the program department, technical coordinators, operations, and finance departments; ensure completeness and timely submission.

OPERATIONS

• Encourage constructive and productive communication between the program and operations staff to guarantee timely service.
• Ensure program compliance with internal control procedures
• Work with operations to ensure that new READO initiatives are implemented and lessons learned shared.
• Facilitate the conceptual, managerial, organizational, and technical capacities of READO staff to effectively contribute to the achievements of the program objectives and develop within the organization.
• Directly supervise READO program staff, including technical and field coordinators and the program department.
• Oversee the Performance Management System for all program staff is followed and carried out as required.

COMMUNICATION, REPORTING, AND DATA COLLECTION

• Liaise with counterparts, UN agencies, and NGOs in the field to coordinate multi-sector integrated programs, standardize sector-specific activities and obtain up-to-date information for program planning and implementation. Ensure READO participation in respective sector-specific coordination forums and help foster exchanges of program information, best practices, and training materials with partners, involved communities, and various line Government ministry officials.
• Keep the Executive Director informed of all developments and issues through monthly reports, informal updates, and written minutes documented for all external meetings.
• Ensure regular communication between field program teams and program department staff.
• In coordination with the Executive Director and the management team, ensure an effective communication mechanism is in place to facilitate access to information by all staff across the board to enhance inclusive participation and empower the work environment.

In coordination with the Executive Director, liaise with advisors for technical guidance on implementation and new program design.

SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-graduate or degree in Program Management on Humanitarian, Recovery, Resilience, and qualification with significant nutrition programming experience
• Eight years of overseas experience (ideally in sub-Saharan Africa), preferably in relief/development work with management and supervisory responsibilities in a program and administration at a senior management level
• Direct experience in building the capacity of national NGOs and working with local partners, including a clear understanding of NGO capacity building
• Experience working with and coordinating with donors, including EU, ECHO, foundation donors, UN (WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR), DFID, OFDA, etc., and knowledge of specific donor guidelines and priorities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation systems and procedures
• Demonstrated excellence in the proposal and report development and writing
• Have worked with INGO/UN for a minimum of 9 years in programs and rural development with related technical qualifications, especially in health or nutrition, project planning, and management
• Experience in managing behavior change communication-related programs
• Knowledge of interventions in a post-conflict setting and transition to development-oriented programming, especially with the Care Group Model
• Good communication skills
• Fluency in English – knowledge of the Somali language could be an added advantage.
• Experience in participatory development preferred
• Special Skills, Aptitude, or Personality Requirements:
• Regular user of Microsoft Office, especially word, PowerPoint, and excel
• Experience designing, implementing, and analyzing health and nutrition surveys, analyzing and interpreting data, and writing reports to a high technical standard.
• Experience in supervision, training, and mentoring of staff on nutrition/health behavior change communication