Country Capacity Strengthening Coordinator – Mogadishu, Somalia

Vacancy Announcement No. 119 /2022

Job Title: country capacity strengthening coordinator

Contract Type/Grade: Consultant, Level III

Duty Station: Mogadishu, Somalia

Contract Duration: 11 Months

Date of Issue: 27th December 2022

Closing Date: 13th January 2022

Background and Purpose of the Assignment

Decades of conflict and natural disasters including repeated droughts and seasonal flooding followed by limited government and institutional support have had a profoundly negative effect on the food security situation and social service sector in Somalia. Recurrent climate-related shocks and political instability are key drivers of food insecurity and pose continuing risks to crop production and food access. Recent estimates indicate 5.6 million persons currently face acute food insecurity (IPC 3 and above – crisis or worse) and that number is expected to rise to 8.3 million by June 2023.

Capacity strengthening is a critical pillar of WFP Somalia’s strategy to achieve zero hunger. Supporting the development and implementation of policies, systems, tools and skillsets of local actors to better support the Somali populations in future crises is a core part of the WFP’s role. As WFP Somalia seeks to shift its focus from ‘implementing’ solutions to ‘enabling’ solutions, there has never been a more exciting time to support the capacity-strengthening portfolio.

Position Overview

The Country Capacity Strengthening (CCS) Coordinator will be responsible for leading and coordinating the shift in WFP’s partnership approach from ‘transactional’ to ‘strategic’ and from ‘delivery’ to ‘enabling’. The position reports to the Deputy Country Director.

The CCS Coordinator will be expected to work closely with colleagues across the WFP Somalia team as well as represent WFP in meetings with senior government officials. Additionally, the coordinator will participate in County Leadership Team’s strategic decision-making to integrate capacity-strengthening principles and approaches into all aspects of WFP Somalia’s work.

What will you do?

1. Lead and collaborate with internal stakeholders at CO, RBN and HQ to strategically position WFP as an influential actor in capacity strengthening at local and national agenda.
2. Advance WFP contribution to the realization of the grand bargain and localization agenda as per our commitment to the outcomes of the Humanitarian Summit and UN in Somalia Cooperation Framework.
3. Provide solid technical and managerial leadership on a broad range of strategically important and complex policy and programme issues related to capacity strengthening.
4. Enhance WFP’s leadership status in different forums about capacity strengthening efforts and initiatives through direct participation and/or through briefings, information products and other materials. Support advocacy work within all relevant audiences.
5. Support WFP focal points and relevant supporting Country Office teams in their engagements with Federal Government of Somalia ministries and the development and negotiation of specific and tailored CCS strategies, approaches, and proposals for each of the six capacity strengthening outcomes listed above
6. Act as a thought partner with Area Offices and Sub Offices at the Federal Member State level.
7. Support the development of Letters of Understanding (LOUs) led by Area Offices/Sub Offices and Focal Points for Federal Level engagement.
8. Consult internal and external stakeholders for ideas and proposals to simplify and make more efficient the capacity-strengthening governance, LOU and payment processes. Work with relevant stakeholders to define and execute changes
9. Monitor and oversee preparation and dissemination of timely analytical and critical reports, publications, and a variety of information products or proposals for internal or external use.
10. Support the generation of evidence of CCS investment and results through real-time learning dialogues, reviews and documentation in collaboration with the Planning, Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation unit. Relevant information could include the nature of CCS investment and activities occurring across WFP Somalia and the outcomes being delivered versus baseline.
11. Represent WFP Somalia and enhance WFP’s leadership status in different forums on subject of capacity strengthening and expand its role from one of operational partner of choice to one of strategic capacity enabling partner- through direct participation and/or through briefings, information products and other materials.
12. Ensure the best use of assigned financial resources for the achievement of set objectives