UNOPS Overview

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

UNOPS in Somalia

UNOPS has been operating in Somalia since 1995, providing implementation and advisory support for various development initiatives in the areas of infrastructure, project management, procurement and financial services. Based in Mogadishu, the Somalia Country Office is currently implementing 19 projects across Somalia worth over $170m. From delivering high quality infrastructure for public services to facilitating the reform of the security sector and supporting crisis recovery, UNOPS is an established partner of government and donors alike in Somalia’s path towards reconstruction and state-building.

Background Information: Somalia

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 communities 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. At the London Somalia Conference in May 2017, a Security Pact was agreed upon by Somalia and the international community, which will allow for sustainable, long-term security based on mutual accountability. At the time of advertising this position – in February 2023, a new federal government is embarking on an ambitious peace and development agenda.

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.

In response to the dynamic challenges facing Somalia, the European Union (EU) has undertaken a strategic shift from conventional top-down security approaches to embrace inclusive methodologies that strengthen the social contract and contribute to a more profound political settlement. Acknowledging the potential for transformative change in adopting such an approach, the EU has formulated the “Promoting Human Security in Somalia” program. This comprehensive initiative is designed to foster human security and sustainable peace in Somalia by addressing key facets of the nation’s governance, including the enhancement of the security sector, the effectiveness of justice institutions, and the fortification of conflict resolution mechanisms.

As an integral component of the EU’s broader action, the Security & Justice, Governance and Accountability Project (SJGAP) emerges as a critical force in this transformative agenda. Tasked with collaborating closely with Somali institutions, SJGAP focuses on bolstering the overall security and justice system. By targeting key institutions such as defense, justice, and internal security, along with their oversight bodies, the project aims to equip these entities with the capacity to deliver responsive and affordable services aligned with the needs and priorities of the Somali citizens. The background sets the stage for an ambitious undertaking, positioning SJGAP as an instrumental force in reshaping the governance landscape of Somalia towards human security and sustainable peace.

A key objective of this program is the development and implementation of cost-effective, sustainable plans for evolving IT management systems in security and justice institutions, namely the Ministry of Defense (MoD), Ministry of Internal Security (MoIS), Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MoJCA) (henceforth “Ministries”). This initiative involves transitioning from paper-based systems to fully digital platforms, reinforcing and upgrading existing digital infrastructures and improving systems that combine digital and paper-based elements.

The gap analysis conducted by Adam Smith International in early 2024 on the ICT needs assessment for all Ministries has revealed significant deficiencies in the software solutions, impeding operational efficiency, data security, and public engagement. Moreover, the analysis uncovered that most of the devices available at the Ministries are outdated and lack warranty protection, posing potential risks that necessitate strategic planning for future upgrades. Based on the assessment of the Ministries’ unique requirements, the resulting recommendation is to implement corporate solutions, specialized to enhance operational efficiencies and address the specific needs of the Ministries. To effectively utilize these solutions, all Ministries will require robust departmental infrastructure equipped with appropriate hardware resources.

ICT Support to the Security & Justice, Governance and Accountability Project will be implemented by UNOPS Somalia with the financial support of the EU. The key activities of the project includes: supply of hardware equipment to the Ministry of Internal Security, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs of Somalia and procurement of software to the Ministry of Internal Security, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs. The project will respond to current and emerging needs in the area of ICT capacity enhancement for the overall operational efficiency, data security, and public engagement of selected Ministries of the Federal Government of Somalia.

1. Project Implementation
2. Stakeholder management, coordination and liaison
3. Knowledge management and innovation

1. Project Implementation

• Support timely and accurate inputs at various stages in the project implementation planning process.
• Liaise with Director Generals of the 3 ministries and other relevant FGS entities to help collect all relevant documentation required for UNOPS to complete the inception report.
• Review all documentation prior to submission to UNOPS to ensure the information provided is accurate and coherent.
• Monitor and ensure timely provision of any inputs required by the project manager.
• Facilitate introductions to relevant FGS stakeholders for the UNOPS project management team.
• Review UNOPS deliverables, including reports and tender documentation, to support the project management team in providing feedback and comment.
• Advise the DGs on any deviations from the timeline that may hinder the timely award of the contract
• Draft reports, notes, meeting minutes and other documents required for the DG’s review and endorsement
• Work with the UNOPS project manager to identify and manage risks and ensure timely escalation.
• Maintain all project records on behalf of the project management team.

2. Stakeholder management, coordination and liaison

• Establish effective and fruitful working relationships with project’s stakeholders including but not limited to the UNOPS project manager, the UNOPS technical experts as well as FGS stakeholders .
• Support the planning of steering committee and technical committee meetings .
• Support the DGs in soliciting feedback from steering committee and technical committee members on UNOPS deliverables and consolidating that feedback where required.
• Facilitate the preparation of the projects’s inputs at the steering committee and technical committee meetings.
• Support the coordination and management of communications.
• Contribute to building strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project stakeholders (e.g. UNOPS, government, the donor) for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality of the project products.
• Pursue engagement of national stakeholders in project implementation and their ownership of project products.

3. Knowledge management and innovation

• Support the compilation of project’s lessons learned.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building.
• Pilot innovative solutions within assigned work packages and seek opportunities to replicate them within wider programmatic areas

Qualifications and Experience:

A. Education

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree) preferably in Project Management, Information Technology, Human Resources Management, Business Administration or other relevant related field is required OR
• A First University degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in relevant discipline with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree (master’s degree)

B. Work Experience

• A minimum of 2 years relevant and progressive professional experience with a masters and a maximum of 4 years with a bachelors degree specifically in the field of Project Management and Operations Management with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination.
• Experience in working with the federal government stakeholders of Somalia including but not limited to the ministry of defence, ministry of internal security and ministry of justice.
• Demonstrated experience to work with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.

C. Language Requirements

• For this position, fluency in English Language (i.e. writing, reading and speaking) is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: LICA 9 / ICS 9

Contract duration: Ongoing (Subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to satisfactory) performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
• Duty Station: Mogadishu is a non-Family Duty Station

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us: UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity: With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization: UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Africa Region Based in Nairobi, Kenya the Africa Region supports UNOPS country offices in the region, providing financial oversight of projects, procuring goods and services and managing human resources.

AFR helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.

Somalia Country Office:

UNOPS Somalia Country Office (SOCO) has had a solid and continuous in-country expert presence successfully implementing programs since the mid-1990s, where it is currently undertaking various projects and initiatives in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS) and partners from the global donor community. UNOPS’ projects in Somalia focus on several key sectors that include infrastructure development, institutional capacity building, project management, advisory services, and procurement services. These projects cut across multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, national security, law enforcement, immigration services, justice, transport, and public works among others. UNOPS work in Somalia is geared towards driving growth and development in the country, a process that requires developing a close relationship with the FGS and the other development partners.