Communications Specialist, Somalia

Job Description

DT Global works in partnership with communities, governments, and the private sector to deliver innovative solutions that transform lives. DT Global – launched in 2019 – is built on legacy companies AECOM’s International Development Services Sector, Development Transformations, IMC Worldwide, and Cardno International Development. To fulfill its profit-for-purpose mission, DT Global is a key donor to the DT Institute, an independent not-for-profit organization, in support of DTI’s efforts to test new ideas or expand on donor partner priorities to improve as many lives as possible.

Our global team of 2,500 staff and experts work in over 90 countries. We bring over 60 years of experience, relationships, and technical excellence to improve lives on behalf of our partners, clients, and stakeholders. We aim to maximize sustainable development impact across a wide range of practice areas, including Conflict Prevention, Stabilization & Transition; Economic Growth; Environment & Infrastructure; Governance; and Human Development. Together, we aim to positively impact 500 million lives by 2045.

Project Background:

The Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRiS) program seeks to accelerate economic development for marginalized groups in the target areas of Somalia by increasing individual, household, business, and community, and system-wide resilience through rural and urban livelihood diversification and promoting inclusive economic market systems to combat real perceived grievances that contribute to violent extremism and conflict.

The project will pursue two main objectives:

1) Strengthen and diversity in rural and urban livelihoods for marginalized groups; and

2) Promote economic agency of marginalized groups.

Position Summary:

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) is pivotal in guiding the project towards its objectives. Complementing the Chief of Party, the DCOP ensures timely and efficient delivery of all project milestones. They lead program development by supervising all technical roles, ensuring alignment with the program’s goals. Their collaborative role is pronounced, working closely with the Senior Management Team (SMT), USAID, Technical Team Leads, and Sub-awardees. The DCOP is integral in formulating strategies, bridging ideas with execution, and overseeing the design and rollout of activities. As a key personnel position, they are proactive, adaptive, and play a significant role in determining the project’s trajectory, prepared to address challenges and steer the project towards success.

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Development & Stakeholder Engagement: In collaboration with the Chief of Party (COP) and USAID, lead research, analysis, and strategic development, nurturing robust communication with key program stakeholders, sub-awardees, and the Technical Team Leads to ensure a unified consortium approach.
Contractual Adherence & Client Satisfaction: Ensure understanding and fulfillment of all contract requirements, client expectations, and maintain quality assurance for all services, consistently meeting client satisfaction standards.
Human-Centered & Design Thinking: Emphasize the incorporation of human-centered design and professional design thinking throughout interventions, planning, and adaptation processes, ensuring solutions are tailored to user needs.
Risk & Quality Management: Collaborate with the Home Office to ensure contract compliance, risk mitigation, profitability, and consistent quality in service delivery.
Staff Development & Capacity Building: Lead the training and capacity enhancement initiatives for staff, providing guidance in both technical and managerial areas, while overseeing country-specific activities for effectiveness.
Continuous Monitoring & Adaptation: Stay attuned to the Somalia’s evolving environment, participating actively in problem-solving, regular assessments, strategic review sessions, and adjusting strategies as necessary under USAID/Somalia mission guidance.
Information Dissemination: Share program-related details through strategic channels such as client or DT Global communications, promoting the program’s achievements and objectives.
Human Resources & Personnel Management: Coordinate with various entities to determine project personnel and technical needs, conduct thorough performance evaluations, and make informed suggestions for promotions and salary adjustments.
Economic Growth Leadership: Head initiatives and approaches such as the Human Centered Design, especially focusing on rural communities and marginalized demographics, ensuring their inclusion and development.
Technical Expertise & Innovation: Offer strategic insights from extensive sectoral experience, emphasizing the importance of innovation, cost-efficiency, and punctuality in delivering compliant outcomes.
Market Inclusion & Business Support: Champion efforts that prioritize market inclusion for marginalized groups through use of market-based system approaches, facilitating their contribution to economic development and providing technical assistance to small and medium-businesses and other beneficiaries.
Community & Conflict Navigation: Directly manage projects in volatile settings, ensuring strategies are adaptable for communities affected by conflict, and promoting economic stability and growth.
Government Engagement & Trust Building: Engage productively with government representatives across various levels, understanding their dynamics, fostering mutual trust, and ensuring commitments and promises are consistently met.

Education & Minimum Qualifications:

A Master’s or its equivalent in fields like agriculture, economics, or food security is favored.
At least a decade (10 years) of high-level experience in devising, executing, and overseeing food security and livelihood projects in challenging, resource-limited settings is required.
Demonstrated expertise in evaluating food security necessities, livelihood methodologies, and strategies to boost resilience.
Comprehensive knowledge of development approaches that prioritize gender sensitivity and are driven by the community.
Superior interpersonal abilities and communication proficiency, with a knack for effectively liaising with a range of stakeholders.
Skilled in data interpretation and overseeing projects, including adeptness with pertinent tools and software.
Familiarity with managing USAID-related agreements and/or contractual matters.
A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in fragile or post-conflict regions, with a strong preference for those with experience in Somalia.

Preferred Qualifications:

Proven capacity to operate autonomously, efficiently manage time, and prioritize responsibilities.
Knowledge of the socio-economic landscape and livelihood hurdles in Somalia or analogous environments is greatly valued.
Evident dedication to the tenets of Gender Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Belonging.
Established abilities and background in market-driven system interventions.
Past experience in hiring, nurturing, and overseeing staff and groups.
Proficiency in English is mandatory; proficiency in Somali is highly favored.

Core Competencies:

TEAMWORK: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals. Participates in building a culture characterized by inclusion, trust and commitment.

COMMUNICATION: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts professionally. Demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.

ADAPTABILITY: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.

CUSTOMER/CLIENT FOCUSED: Anticipates, monitors and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an appropriate and responsive manner.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: Conveys respect for diverse individuals and perspectives; models inclusive behavior and treats everyone fairly.

PROFESSIONALISM: Displays appropriate and ethical behavior, integrity and personal presentation in the workplace always; demonstrates respectful communication for others, both verbal and non-verbal.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

DT Global, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or national origin. DT Global, LLC prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.

Closing Date: 2023/10/02

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