Educational Policy, Planning and Budgeting Assistant – Local Professional

II. Background Information

About the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education Project

The past decades have seen continued migration from various African countries, causing a “brain drain” that has debilitated various public sector systems across the continent. Through the IOM Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) programme, Somali diaspora professionals have supported institutional capacity building, service delivery, and policy development of health and education institutions across Somalia since 2015.

The MIDA FINNSOM PHASE III – Health & Education project – contributes to strengthening the Health and Education sectors in Somalia towards achieving specific priorities in the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and the Essential Package for Health Services (EPHS), as prioritized and outlined by the government. The project aims to do so by engaging and enhancing the role of qualified Somali diaspora experts willing to temporarily return to their country of origin. In particular, through assignments within key ministries and public institutions (including hospitals and universities), Somali diaspora experts contribute addressing gaps and enhancing strengths in the planning and delivery of health and education services, coherently with the needs identified through the dedicated baseline assessment conducted during the inception phase of the project. Furthermore, a component of the project is devoted toward contributing to the creation of stable and sustainable access to employment opportunities in the health and education sectors for local professional and interns, who will work in close coordination with the Somali diaspora experts – therefore reaping long-terms benefits of knowledge transfer, competencies sharing and skills development.

III. Duties & Responsibilities

The Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MOECHE), through the technical assistance provided by the IOM MIDA FINNSOM III Health and education project, seeks to build the skills of its Planning and BudgetingSpecialist.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Director General of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education- Hirshabelle State of Somalia, the local professional will work closely with the diaspora expert to develop policy, strategic plans and budgets that align with the organizations’ goals and objectives. The local professional will ensure that the strategic plans and budgets are allocated effectively and efficiently, by making sure that the Ministry’s Strategic plans are met.

The local professional will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

• Support the diaspora expert to provide strategic advice and guidance to the Ministry of Education in designing and implementing the education strategies, plans and their Budgets.
• Strengthening the capacities of the ministry in policy development, strategy planning budgeting and their implementation, working closely with the diaspora expert.
• Provide technical support to education initiatives within ministry’s departments in the region.
• Provide technical support in mainstreaming, integration and scaling up evidenced based best practices in education.
• Support Ministry of Education in planning, leading and effectively participating in policy reviews of the state level.
• Collaborate with management teams of the Ministry to identify key financial targets and performance indicators to improve quality teaching and learning.
• Provide guidance and support to staff within the ministry on planning and budgeting matters.

The MoECHE Project Coordinator, the MoECHE M&E Specialist, and IOM’s project team will support this assignment through interaction with the qualified expatriate and beneficiary institution.

IV: Requirements:

Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section III, the MIDA FINNSOM III Heath and Education project is requiring the following deliverables to be submitted throughout the assignment. These are the standard requirements for all assignments under this project:

1. Transfer of skills: The main responsibility of the qualified Somali local professional —which he/she will be measured against—will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment. It will have to be agreed with the beneficiary institution that staff will benefit from this knowledge.
2. Work plan: A work plan must be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of the assignment to provide clear and time-bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with the supervisor, MoECHE coordinator, MoECHE M&E Specialist and IOM project team. This work plan can be revised during the assignment to reflect on new developments or changes.
3. Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the local professional to the supervisor, MoECHE Coordinator, MoECHE M&E Specialist and IOM project team. At the end of the assignment, the participant must also provide a final report covering the duration of his/her assignment.
4. Exit interview: An exit interview will be conducted to ensure that a proper exit plan has been put in place to sustain the achievements, upon completion of the assignment.

V: Qualifications

Level of Education: Master degree in a relevant field.

Area of Study: Education.

Years of work experience in what area(s): Minimum of 5 years’ relevant working experience in the education sector.

Good understanding of sound programming principles.

Experience working in Strategic planning and Budgeting.

Languages needed:

• Fluency in English.
• Fluency in Somali.
• Fluency in Arabic is an advantage.

General Skills / Other Requirements:

• Experience in managing and mentoring staff and promoting teamwork.
• Experience in strategic planning
• Good interpersonal and cross-cultural skills;
• Facilitation and training skills, including development of training materials and facilitation of participatory program development and capacity building.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, particularly communication and presentation skills for diverse audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relationships with the Ministries of Education, both Federal and Member States, donors and other development partners.
• Computer proficiency (including word processing, spreadsheets).
• Willingness and experience to work independently, in a politically unstable and security volatile situation and areas;
• Knowledge and understanding of the local Somali culture and its socio-political background.

VI: Subsistence Allowance

The monthly stipend amount will be determined by the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education project, based on the level of education and years of relevant work experience.

How to apply

VII: How to apply

All applications must be sent via email to: midasomvacancy@iom.int with the following reference as a subject in your e-mail: APPLICATION – as mentioned in the vacancy announcement.

To be considered, applicants must provide a cover letter, CV, and the contact information (email and phone number) of two professional references by the closing date of this vacancy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The closing date of this application is 13.09.2024, at 12.00 PM EAT. Females are highly encouraged to apply and participate in the MIDA FINNSOM III Health and Education Project.

VIII: Security and insurance modalities

Health insurance will be provided by the project. However, local professional will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit for the job.

Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of qualified Somali local professional. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.