I. General Information 

II. Background Information 

About MIDA

MIDA, or Migration for Development in Africa, is a programme that seeks to reduce brain drain across Africa after the loss of educated and talented individuals, through the transfer of skills and knowledge. MIDA works with Diaspora populations in order to benefit countries of origin.

About Transition Initiatives for Stabilization (TIS) and Federal Government of Somalia Ministry of Information, Posts and Telecommunication, Mogadishu

The Transition Initiatives for Stabilization (TIS) program is funded by USAID and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). It responds to the complex crisis that has evolved in Somalia. The overall program goal is to mitigate conflict, promote stability and community cohesion, and to strengthen citizens’ relationships with government officials. TIS implements quick impact activities linked to longer-term stabilization goals.

During Somalia’s 21-year conflict, local administrations were dormant and dialogue with its citizens was minimal or non-existent. The Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Information, Posts and Communication, with support from TIS, is hiring a Somali Communication Specialist to reconnect governments with their citizens and to increase coordination between central government ministries and local administrations in Mogadishu.

III. Activities / Key Results Expected

Contextual information: (e.g., if this is a PFM-related assignment there should be background on the status of PFM in the zone in which the person will be working)

The Ministry of Information, Posts and Communication with support from TIS, is seeking a professional and experienced Communications Specialist. Under the overall guidance of the Director General of the Ministry of Information and the TIS program, the Specialist will focus on internal communication between central, regional and district administrations connecting Mogadishu with south central Somalia and improving government/community dialogue.

The chosen candidates will:

IV. Target Outputs (Measurable Results)

• Conduct an initial gap analysis of current capacity and communication needs in regional and district administrations in Mogadishu and provide a list of cost-effective recommendations in training, capacity building, and equipment;
• Design and implement two government communication strategies to a) increase coordination between government communication professionals/units and b) to increase dialogue between governments and its citizens;
• Train Government officials on media liaison, outreach activities and channels of communication including video, photography and multimedia;
• Mentor communication staff;
• Initiate and sustain coordination between all government communication units and professionals to enhance unified messaging and to avoid duplication of effort;
• Create systems, processes and policies to capitalize on existing government/community dialogue forums and utilize TIS strategic communication funding to better engage communities with central, regional and local administrations;
• Produces a work plan at the beginning of assignment, quarterly reports and one final report highlighting achievements, challenges and recommendations (see below requirements for more information).

V: MIDA requirements

Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section IV, MIDA is requiring the following steps/actions to be undertaken throughout the assignment. These are standard requirements for all assignments undertaken through this project:

1. Transfer of skills: One of the main responsibilities of the Somali diaspora participant, and one 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, which civil servants will have to benefit from this knowledge.
2. Work plan: A work plan will have to be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of assignment, which will provide clear and time bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with the TIS IOM. This work plan can be revised during the mid-term review to reflect new developments or changes in strategy.
3. Mid Term Review: there will be a mid-term review of the assignment between the incumbent and the beneficiary institution to discuss progress of the assignment and feedback on performance.
4. Interim and Final Reports: A progress report will be submitted by the incumbent to the Supervisor and to TIS IOM. Thereafter a final report will be provided at the end of assignment.

V: Qualifications

VI: Salary

Under the direction of the TIS IOM and in consultation with the beneficiary institution, it has been determined that the salary level for this position be the following:

Stream A Band 4

VII: Security and insurance modalities

Health insurance, including evacuation due to medical emergency, will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically well and apt to work in a hardship area in Africa.

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

Before leaving the country of residence and upon arrival in Nairobi or in Somalia, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-departure briefing including security advice and cultural background.

VIII: How to apply

All applicants must apply online through the QUESTS-MIDA website. To start the application process, the applicants are required to register an account with the QUESTS-MIDA website. Go to login and register as a user, then fill the form and create a password to enter in the applications section. Fill in the 1-page online application form.

Send your Resume/CV to [email protected].  Stating the position in the subject line of your email. Only Short-listed candidates will be informed of the status of their application.