Senior Programme Officer
Position:
Senior Programme Officer (open to Somali nationals only)
Location:
Hargeisa, Somaliland (with some travel across Somaliland,Puntland and South Central Somalia)
Application Deadline:
16July 2018
Duration:
31st December with possibility for extension subject to funding
Start Date:
TBD
Under the supervision and guidance of the Regional Programme Manager, the Senior ProgrammeManager will be responsible for project delivery in Somali/Somaliland, working collaboratively with the Somalia Programme Manager and the local staff & partners in the region to ensure effective delivery of the LEAD Somalia activities.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
The responsibilities and tasks include, but are not limited to:
1.Staff and Program Management:
Support staff in programme delivery, ensuring targets are being met according to agreed timelines
Ensure compliance to all Spark, Donor and Government of Somaliland/Somalia policies, procedures and guidelines that relate to the implementation of the program with limited supervision.
Make sure that all project deadlines, quality standards and targets are met, redesigning deadlines, quality standards (as needed) in consultation with the LEAD Regional Programme Manager.
Manage external consultant relationships and local partners, tracking deliverables against timeline, and ensuring quality delivery
Draft reports related to the LEAD program both internal and external to the donor and HQ, with a high level of quality with limited need for revision.
Oversee the implementation of programme activities, both local partner and SPARK-led, including providing clear objectives and methodology, budget and work plan.
Partnership Management/ External Representation:
Independently establish, maintain and grow productive working relationships with Local Government officials and line departments, and private sector, soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate, in close coordination with the Regional Programme Manager
Develop new programme ideas, supporting in the drafting of new proposals on a range of private sector and SME-oriented activities
Build and strengthen strong partnerships with private sector actors with an incentive to support and mentor SME’s and entrepreneurs
Responsible for monitoring partners based on partnership agreements and ensuring Somalia M&E dashboard is regularly updated.
Identify follow-up funding for leveraging the LEAD programme and coordinate partnership possibilities and business development at country level in coordination with the Country Manager.
Program Support Operations:
Capacity building of staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities
Requirements and Skills
Minimum Bachelor’sdegree in Business, Finance, Economics or relevant field of study
A minimum of seven years’ professional experience, preferably in the field of private sector development and/or entrepreneurship
Strong project management skills in the field of SME and/or private sector development
Experience in working with and supporting local civil society organisations
Experience of managing grants and programme budgets
Strong networks with government and relevant stakeholders
Experience working with business incubators and/or accelerators (desirable)
Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills (Englishand Somali)
Demonstrated management experience including ability to manage and motivate staff
Ability to problem solve and think outside the box
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
Willingness to travel across Somalia/land when required
SPARK Offers
A challenging and exciting position in an international environment;
A change to improve the higher studies standards of the country;
Remuneration based on experience and full time contract (40h/per week) between $2000-2600 gross.
Dynamic team to work with.
How to apply?
If you are interested, please apply with motivation letter and CV (both in English)on https://vacancy.spark-online.org until 16 July2018 with reference:Senior Programme Manager.
If you have any questions regarding SPARK or the position, please visit our website www.spark-online.org or contact MajdaleneBentaher – m.bentaher@spark-online.org. Applications sent to this email address will not be considered.
All applications will be assessed on rolling basis; interviews can therefore take place before the application deadline. However, due to the large volume of applications we receive, we cannot respond to every applicant individually. There may be a delay between the deadline and the moment we contact selected applicants.
If you have not received a reply we regret to inform that we have continued with other candidates.
About SPARK
SPARK develops higher education and entrepreneurship, so that young ambitious people are empowered to lead their conflict affected society into prosperity. SPARK is a dynamic and growing not-for-profit development organization with 80 staff members which supports young entrepreneurs to start or grow their own businesses. SPARK provides displaced youth with access to higher education in fragile areas. Moreover, SPARK assists post-secondary education institutions to reform their curricula to better meet the needs of the labour markets. Based in Amsterdam, SPARK has offices in among others Abidjan, Amman, Beirut, Belgrade, Bujumbura, Gaziantep, Erbil, Hargeisa, Juba, Kigali, Mitrovica, Monrovia, Ramallah, Sanaa and Tunis.
SPARK and its partners have implemented the LEAD programme since January 2016. The overarching objective is to contribute to the reduction of irregular economic migration and radicalization by improving the socio-economic position of young people in Libya, Somalia and Tunisia. As such the programme strives to create sustainable youth employment in growth sectors with special attention to young women, by assisting existing – (70%) and new entrepreneurs (30%) with coaching & training and facilitating SMEs access to finance and markets. An integral part for achieving these goals is the promotion of entrepreneurship among young people by integrating entrepreneurship education in secondary and higher education; and additionally by providing a platform for successful young entrepreneurs.
Programme activities are aimed at young people in Tunisia, Libya and Somalia/Land between 15 and 35 years old, with an emphasis on people between 15 and 24 years old (60%) and women (40%).
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