LIAISON OFFICER-MOGADISHU; SOMALIA

Position: Liaison Officer

Department: Admin/HR

Direct hierarchy: Admin/HR Manager

Location: Mogadishu

Contract Duration: 31st December 2023

Starting date: May 2023

Background on ACTED

Created in 1993, ACTED is an international non-governmental organization pursuing a dual mandate of emergency response and development interventions in 40 of some of the world’s most vulnerable countries affected by conflicts, disasters or socio-economic hardship. With a team of 7,000 national staff and 400 international staff, ACTED implements 500 projects a year to support more than 20 million beneficiaries, notably in hard-to-reach areas.

ACTED goes to the last mile through programs and approaches that look beyond the immediate emergency towards opportunities for longer term livelihood reconstruction and sustainable development. Guided by the motto “Think Local, Act Global” and its 3Zero –Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon, and Zero Poverty – strategy, ACTED puts local territories at the centre and provides a tailored support to local needs.

ACTED is looking for professionally confident, self-motivated, experienced and committed team player to fill the Liaison Officer position based in Mogadishu, Somalia

II. Position Profile

In this role, Liaison Officer will act as the middle person between ACTED and other entities to streamline operations, resolve issues, improve communications, and generally ensure that the relationship is as beneficial and as smooth as possible. Liaison Officer will support general liaising work as well as represent the organization through participation in relevant meetings/forums as may be required.

You will be expected to negotiate with others, develop and foster relationships, get people to understand others’ points of view, and understand ACTED’s way of working and how it impacts its stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Administration/Liaison

• To cover all project registration, Letter of Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding, NGO registration etc. with the Government of Somalia. Share those documents to AHRM for review before submitted to the government entity.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of the work, as well as an understanding how that affects other entities.
• Support in planning and scheduling of meetings, presentations, and other office related events; send reminders regarding upcoming appointments.
• Support ACTED in resolving any potential challenges in ACTED’s relationship with Government bodies from the national level, regional Level and district Level.
• Work with other staff members to develop a greater understanding of the work and any issues that may arise
• In close coordination with the HR department, ensure legal compliance towards national staff’s local labour laws.
• Keep abreast of new government policies/ regulations and communicate how this may affect ACTED’s work.
• Monitor, coordinate, and communicate strategic objectives of ACTED’s work in Somalia.
• Develop and foster relationships with the community, stakeholders, and other entities.
• Launch application and follow up on visas for international staff work in Somalia.
• Launch application process for work permits/ multiple journey visa and any other related documentation as pertains international staff work in Somalia. Computerize information of visas including (passport number, nationality, validity/expiry dates of visa, etc.) on visa follow up table.
• Update and inform his/her line manager on any change on rules, system of work and regulation of Embassies for visas.
• Support in planning and scheduling of meetings, presentations, and other office related events; send reminders regarding upcoming appointments.
• Collect, analyze, and utilize data and feedback to identify opportunities to improve the relationship between the organization and the other entities.
• When and if needed, prepare official letters to the concerned Government Offices/Ministries for letters of support or information sharing.
• Set up the filing system based on ACTED standard filling system.

Others

• Translation of any documents required for the purposes of coordination / external relations.
• Ensure all paperwork is filed and disseminated, where necessary, to the relevant line manager for their respective filing.
• Execute the tasks described above in accordance with ACTED`s internal policy and with competence.
• Make efficient use of ACTED`s material and equipment.
• Be liable for damage inflicted to equipment or material through gross negligence.
• Maintain respectful working relationships with other staff members.

Qualifications/Skills and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in law, public administration, humanities, business administration, social sciences or social work, or any other relevant to this role
• Three to 3-5 years of relevant expertise and experience with INGO/UN, preferably experience in liaison functions.
• Extensive knowledge of the Somalia system of Government and administration
• Self-motivated with a willingness to take initiative and solve complex problems. Capability to negotiate with and influence others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience in and aware of the region’s customs and tradition
• Diplomatic nature and very strong negotiation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and organization skills with the ability to coordinate activities and projects; experience in supporting project development.
• Proficiency in English language, both written and spoken.
• Goal oriented with a high level of energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the vision and goals of the organization.
• Ability to prepare and write official reports.
• High degree of responsibility and ownership of work.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel and Word).