Creating decent work opportunities for Somali IDPs, refugees and host Communities through employment intensive infrastructure improvement (SOM/DEU/01/19) aims to create employment through infrastructure works in the district of Baidoa in Somalia.  The infrastructure works include the rehabilitation of about 20km of roads with solar street lights, 2No markets and construction of 2No water crossing structures.  It will use employment intensive methods and will create a minimum of 295,000 workdays for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), returnees and host communities.  30 per cent of the infrastructure budget will directly be injected into the local economy through the use of local labour, suppliers and resources.

The project will be implemented using the ILO’s Employment Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) approaches.  The EIIP supports countries in the design, formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies and programmes aiming to address unemployment and underemployment through public investment, typically in infrastructure development.  Its field programmes rely on employment-intensive and local resource-based approaches for the production of public assets in a range of areas such as road construction and maintenance, irrigation infrastructure, reforestation, and soil conservation.  Implementation modalities range from public works programmes where individuals are hired directly, to the contracting of small and medium enterprises.  EIIP always works to produce public assets and generate employment in local communities.

The project is part of a wider drive to rebuild the country.  The overall reconstruction effort in Somalia is expected to span at least a decade and will be supplemented with new infrastructure projects and ongoing maintenance.  This will make the sector an important contributor to the economic growth.  Reconstruction and infrastructure repairs are employment-intensive, and work can begin relatively quickly.  In addition, there is strong potential for private sector growth in providing construction materials, providing an added spur to economic growth and employment creation.

An ILO Technical Assistance Team (henceforth called the Project Team) will guide the implementation of the activities and build capacity of the partners at local level.  The project will be implemented in partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) Ministry of Public Works (MoPW-FGS), the main Ministry responsible for policy, regulatory frameworks and technical standards.  It will also work in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works of South West State (MoPW-SWS), responsible for providing technical support to Baidoa District Authority (District Public Works Department) mandated with the day-to-day project monitoring and supervision with the support of ILO.  These two Government agencies have the main responsibility for infrastructure development and maintenance in Baidoa District.  While the Baidoa District Authority (District Public Works Department) has the main responsibility for project identification and implementation, the State level MoPW (MoPW-SWS) is the main technical ministry at local level and is responsible for oversight and quality control.  The infrastructure measures will be complemented by orientation and awareness workshops on employment intensive methods in infrastructure rehabilitation and maintenance for contractors and by capacity building for the two institutions mentioned above by supporting them to plan, design, implement, supervise and monitoring the rehabilitation and maintenance of projects using employment intensive methods.

Capacity building in construction activities will be provided to the direct beneficiaries.  The capacity building will focus on the following:

• The construction activities and the sequencing, in this case will be related to the measures to be executed.
• How to set out task and measure the completed works for the day
• How to observe and work in safe environment
• Basic environmental management skills
• Decent working conditions.
• Basic knowledge in how to start your business (SIYB course)

There will also be training for the beneficiaries which will include short classroom session supported by on-the-job training.  While the construction skills training is given to all direct beneficiaries, it is estimated that at least 2,000 beneficiaries will additionally participate in the basic business management skills training.

Reporting lines:

Under the overall responsibility of the Director of CO-Addis Ababa, the Finance and Administrative Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, who is based in Baidoa (Somalia) and under the guidance of the CO-Addis Senior Operations Officer.

• Maintain financial documents for the project in an orderly manner;
• Compile, monitor, and revise yearly specific budgets for the project with the supervision of the NPC and the Project Manager;
• Organize data and information, prepare and maintain records, documents and control systems for the monitoring and evaluation of the project;
• Produce financial reports that show the details of project expenditures against budgets on a quarterly basis for purposes of monitoring and proper planning;
• Regularly monitor project delivery and produce relevant reports, and prepare clear, user-friendly spread sheets, reports and/or other supporting documentation.
• Check in detail and record external and internal payment authorizations;
• Process contracts for financial clearance and payment. Ensure the correctness and appropriateness of types of contracts used with each activity, and ensure all necessary supporting documents are attached.
• Assist in issuing of external collaboration contracts and service contracts;
• Advise the Project Manager in all aspects of accounts and financial control procedures in order to ensure strict compliance with ILO financial rules and regulations, as per guidance from the Financial Department of the ILO Regional Office for Africa;

(continued from duties above)

• Make the Project Manager aware of any financial/funding problems that may impact on the programme reaching its objectives;
• Meet financial requests in a timely manner allowing for processing times;
• Assist in providing responses in respect of accounting and audit queries that may be raised by the Donors, the verification unit of the Africa Regional Office and ILO HQ, related to accounting and/or financial transactions of the programme;
• Organize workshops, trainings and meetings; provide secretarial, administrative and financial support;
• In line with ILO Procurement Rules, Requisition office supplies and equipment locally and abroad, and arrange for control of distribution and maintenance of inventory records;
• Make travel arrangements, hotel reservations and prepare travel authorization forms;
• According to ILO's rules, ensure discharge of financial responsibilities for the projects  contractual obligations to third parties;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Completion of secondary school education, supplemented by technical courses in Accounting and/or Finance and Administrative field.

At least six years of progressively responsible financial and administrative work. Similar experience with the United Nations Common System or an international organization is desirable. Practical experience on standard office software packages, email and automated information management system required by the work unit (e.g. WORD, EXCEL, PowerPoint). Experience of dealing with confidential matters with discretion. Supervisory experience would be an asset. Knowledge of the relevant project and programme area and the Office’s operations would be ideal.

Excellent command of English is required and good knowledge of Amharic.

• Knowledge and understanding of a complex body of financial and administrative rules, guidelines and procedures.
• Knowledge of in-house procedures for the preparation of documents and administrative forms, and for the creation and maintenance of filing systems.
• Good analytical skills. Ability to reason and make sound judgements.
• Ability to maintain financial records and prepare clerical accounting reports and statements.
• Must demonstrate responsible behaviour and attention to detail.
• Ability to deal with confidential matters with discretion.
• Must display high standards of ethical conduct.
• Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office.
• Ability to evaluate correspondence and inquiries for best course of action.
• Ability to respond to work related inquiries in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to obtain services from other work units inside or outside the office for completion of tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team.
• Organizational skills.
• Ability to clarify information.
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.