Position Title: Project Officer.

Organization: Shaqodoon

Project: Youth in Action: Empowering Youth to Contribute to Peaceful Transition in Jowhar (YOU-ACT).

Location: Jowhar, Somalia

Duration: [Six months, with the possibility of extension depending based on performance and fund availability].

Reports to: Project Manager.

Background

Shaqodoon, a national civil society organization with over a decade of experience in youth empowerment, peace-building, and community development, is implementing various initiatives aimed at promoting peace, social cohesion, and inclusive governance in Somalia. These initiatives focus on empowering communities, fostering collaboration, and supporting sustainable development across diverse sectors.

The YOU-ACT project aims to address critical challenges of conflict, youth exclusion, and resource-based tensions in Jowhar district. It focuses on empowering young men and women to play a central role in peace-building by enhancing their participation in decision-making, fostering inter-clan collaboration, and supporting sustainable natural resource management. Through capacity-building initiatives, digital tools for cadastral mapping, and inclusive community planning, the project seeks to mitigate conflict drivers, promote equitable access to resources, and strengthen youth leadership.

Project Officer will play a critical role in supporting Shaqodoon’s activities in Jowhar, Somalia. The position emphasizes mobilizing community members, fostering participation, and ensuring the smooth implementation of interventions that align with Shaqodoon’s broader objectives. The Project Officer will facilitate the involvement of diverse community groups, including youth, women, and marginalized populations, in various activities. They will support participatory approaches, build trust among stakeholders, and promote inclusion to achieve Shaqodoon’s organizational goals.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate community consultations, ensuring the inclusion of diverse groups (youth, women, marginalized clans, and IDPs).

• Promote awareness about the organization’s goals, activities, and expected outcomes.

• Assist in forming and strengthening local committees and community platforms.

• Organize and coordinate community events, workshops, and dialogues, including cultural and recreational activities to foster social cohesion.

• Facilitate the mapping of community resources, conflict hotspots, and other relevant assets.

• Support training sessions on governance, conflict resolution, and community action planning.

• Mobilize communities for skill-building programs and other community-driven initiatives.

• Promote participation in capacity-building activities, ensuring gender-sensitive approaches.

• Gather feedback and insights from community members to inform program adaptation and design.

• Maintain records of community meetings, consultations, and mobilization activities.

• Report challenges, risks, and achievements to the project team for timely resolution and learning.

• Facilitate dialogues to address and mitigate community-level challenges.

• Promote inclusive participation by addressing barriers faced by women, minority clans, and youth.

• Ensure community engagement aligns with the “Do No Harm” principle and conflict-sensitive programming.

Qualifications

• Education:

Degree in social sciences, community development, or related fields.

• Experience:

At least two years of experience in community mobilization, peace-building, or development projects in Somalia.

• Skills:

o Strong communication and facilitation skills.

o Proficiency in Somali and basic knowledge of English.

o Knowledge of the local context, including clans and resource management challenges.

o Familiarity with digital tools for data collection and reporting is an advantage.

Reporting Lines

The Project Officer will report to the Project Manager and collaborate with project team and local authorities.

Duration and Location.

• Contract: Six months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and project needs.

• Location: Jowhar, Middle Shabelle Region, with field travel as required.

How to apply

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and updated CV with three professional references and their contact details on via this email address: [email protected]. Indicate the title of the position in the subject of your email "Project Officer". The deadline for submissions is 15st January 2025. Shaqodoon is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis.