Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS -Somalia Country Office (SOCO) is recruiting this position: Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems- (AFIS)-Senior Officer

Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to help shape UNOPS’ efforts to support the expansion of affordable, accountable and effective policing in Somalia.

Somalia Country Office (SOCO)

Somalia is amid major new political and security developments that will offer a greater possibility for peace and security than the country has seen in over 20 years. The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), established in 2012, and international community have driven a process of rebuilding of functioning government institutions and processes through Somalia’s peacebuilding and state-building priorities under the Somali Compact (2013-2016), based on the Busan “New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States” agreement. The Somalia National Development Plan (2017-2019), builds on this foundation laid by the Compact and sets the priorities for national recovery and development in full collaboration with national and regional governments.  A landmark electoral process in late 2016 and early 2017 resulted in a peaceful transfer of power to a new President and government, in place since February and March 2017 respectively. The government has set out an ambitious agenda for its term (the period to 2021).  At the London Somalia Conference in May 2017, a Security Pact was agreed by Somalia and the international community, which will allow for sustainable, long-term security based on mutual accountability.

The functional objective of UNOPS in Somalia is to deliver projects in an efficient and effective manner, to achieve the development outcomes sought by the Government of Somalia and the donor community. The aim of UNOPS in Somalia is to provide implementation services to the Government of Somalia, the donor community and partner agencies in the reconstruction and development of the country. In doing so, UNOPS aims to exceed client expectations in the delivery of quality services throughout the country.

Job Specific Background:

The Stipends programme is a part of Security Sector Reform (SSR) and falls within the second of the Peace and State building Goals (PSGs): “Establish unified, capable, accountable and rights-based Somali federal security institutions, providing basic security for its citizens.”

Complementary to the stipends programmes is the biometric registration of the Police & Military personnel. Registration of the Police/Military personnel promotes accountability and transparency and is crucial for strengthening the Somali government’s capacity in terms of improved financial and personnel management.

The Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems-(AFIS) Senior Officer will lead the conceptualization, planning, preparation and monitoring of registration and verification activities and will report to the Police/Military Stipends Senior Project Managers.

 Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Police & Military Stipends Senior Project Managers, the Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems-(AFIS) Senior Officer will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Lead the conceptualization, planning, preparation & monitoring of registration/verification activities for Police & Military Stipends.
• The AFIS Senior Officer coordinates with the Pay Team Observers (PTOs) to ensure that beneficiary data are aligned with stipend payments. S/he also conducts formal and on-the-job training to ensure that field teams are prepared and knowledgeable to operate the UNHRS system efficiently.
• Liaise with the PTOs & Senior Project Managers for the Registration/Verification plan and perform thorough checks on the biometric equipment, ensuring that kits were ready for deployment.
• Liaise with ICT for the maintenance of UNHRS Servers, Biometric kits, Fingerprint scanners , cameras, software upgrades and advise the Senior Project Managers  on procurement and/or replacement of equipment and software if and when required.
• In coordination with the relevant project focal points, she/he will ensure the timely  and accurate flow of Biometric registration and verification data, provide comprehensive data quality reports identifying gaps, define and assess business impact, address data quality at the source and promote a data-driven culture.
• Synchronise field data captured on field kits with UNHRS  servers/databases, ensuring that beneficiary data is secured and aligned and compiling comprehensive beneficiary registration/verification reports as per set standard.
• Ensure that data backups are taken after each registration/verification/stipend run activity and are properly secured.
• Coordinate with the PTOs and Project Team for creation of monthly Payment Lists, reconciliation of verification list with the payment list and reconciliation of payment lists with the bank proof of payments.
• Maintains an up-to-date Biometric Asset Register with the current location of the kits. Responsible for the handover-takeover of the Biometric kits and maintains records of the same.
• Provide comprehensive data analysis and any ad-hoc reports for data assurance, audit and quality control purposes.
• Maintain contact with field teams to ensure the smooth completion of beneficiary registration/verification activity, provide remote support to the field teams, troubleshoot and provide quick effective resolutions to the application/system issues when encountered at field level and travel to field locations when required.
• Assist the Police & Military Stipends Senior Project Managers in development of regional, personal & thematic plans to achieve stated goals  and  objectives, including developing background  and  contextual components of work plans.
• Provided inputs to the weekly/monthly/quarterly reports.
• Participate in relevant coordination meetings ,technical evaluations and  other working groups.
• Other duties as required by the Supervisor

Impact of Result

The Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS)-Senior Officer has a major role to support the Police & Military Stipends Senior Project Managers that directly affects the ability of the FGS and FMS (military and police) to effectively and efficiently disburse stipend payments in a timely fashion, which will have a direct impact of the delivery of safety and security services to the broader Somalia.