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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 experts 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 MoECHE Staff.
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education, the Advisor will lead efforts to engage local communities, ensuring their active involvement in supporting educational initiatives.
The Advisor will design and implement strategies to mobilize communities for educational improvements, build local capacity, and ensure that communities take ownership of educational development processes. The Advisor will work to create an enabling environment for the successful implementation of educational projects by fostering collaboration and participation among all relevant stakeholders.
The Advisor will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:
- Support the ministry to increase the enrolment of the out of school children, and the retention of those in the school.
- Conduct a knowledge, perception and attitudes (KAP) survey among different communities (including parents, care-givers, teachers, head-masters and key community figures) to gauge their views on early, primary and secondary education, particularly how to further improve access to education and the quality of education and enhance community engagement in education.
- Support the dissemination and implementation of community mobilization strategy, Community Education Committee training manual.
- Identify the training needs of committee members and the community through surveys and discussions
- Conduct training sessions to Community Education Committees using various teaching methods (lectures, group activities, discussions). Trainings to include how to advocate for better educational outcomes and provide them with tools to engage with local authorities.
- Carry out feedback sessions with primary and secondary teachers and headmasters to gather recommendations on how they as educational professionals can help improve community engagement on education.
- Based on the feedback session with the teachers and head-masters, conduct capacity building trainings to address these issues.
- Facilitate community dialogue around education through training, particularly focusing on the importance of education for children, youth, and marginalized groups.
- Encourage the active participation of parents, caregivers, local leaders, and community groups in school activities, decision-making, and governance.
- Engage communities to identify local educational needs and priorities and integrate these into the project plan.
- Mobilize communities to support school activities, including infrastructure improvement, educational resource donations, and volunteer efforts through capacity Building.
- Organize and deliver capacity-building activities for community members, teachers, and school leadership on topics like advocacy for education, school governance, and child protection in education.
- Support the development of community-based education initiatives that complement formal schooling, such as after-school programs, literacy campaigns, and vocational training.
- Monitor community participation in educational initiatives and provide regular reports on progress and challenges.
- Collect and analyze community feedback to assess the effectiveness of community engagement strategies and suggest improvements.
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:
- Transfer of skills: The main responsibility of the qualified Somali diaspora expert—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.
- 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.
- Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the expert 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.
- 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’s degree in Education, Public Administration, or a related field.
Area of Study: Education.
Years of work experience in what area(s):
- Minimum 5 years of experience in community mobilization in the education sector, working with local communities, schools, and education stakeholders.
- Proven experience in designing and delivering training programs for diverse audiences.
- Strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with local education authorities, schools, and other stakeholders.
- Knowledge of inclusive education practices, gender equity, and child rights in education.
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
Languages required:
- 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;
- 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: [email protected] with the following reference as a subject in your e-mail: APPLICATION and the Federal Member State – as mentioned in the vacancy announcement. For further inquiries about the MIDA FINNSOM project and positions, you can reach out to Hussein Isse at [email protected] and cc Saara Parkkali at [email protected].
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 17.04.2025, at 12.00 PM EAT.
While this project is geared toward the Somali-Finnish diaspora, members of other Somali diaspora communities are also welcomed to apply. Females are highly encouraged to apply and participate in the MIDA FINNSOM III Health and Education Project.
VIII: Security and insurance modalities
Health insurance—including evacuation due to a medical emergency—will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit and able to work in a hardship area in Africa.
Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.
Before leaving the country of residence or upon arrival in Somalia, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-service briefing including security advice and cultural background.
