In-Country Coordinator (Ethiopia and Somalia)

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership promoting the role of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Managed by a Secretariat based in Brussels, it is a unique partnership with a diverse membership which has come together to strengthen both impacts and coherence in urban development. Cities Alliance is a global leader with a strong track record in grant-making, which supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Through UNOPS, the Cities Alliance operates a Multi-Donor Fund supported by an efficient, flexible grant-making mechanism with global reach.

Projects Information

Cities Alliance provides financial and technical assistance to local city stakeholders in low-income countries to identify and implement approaches for improved local migration management that are relevant to each city’s context. As migration and displacement in developing countries are characterized by informality, Cities Alliance builds partnerships among various constituencies at the local, national, and global levels to jointly identify and negotiate a better way forward. Sustainable urban planning instruments, such as urban expansion planning, are at the forefront of Cities Alliance’s work to provide equitable access to a city for all. The Cities Alliance is seeking leadership for the implementation of its activities in Ethiopia and Somalia.

Key responsibility of the In-Country Coordinator will include the successful implementation of the Cities Alliance portfolio in Ethiopia and Somalia. Currently Cities Alliance is implementing its Global Programme on Cities and Migration in several cities of Ethiopia and Somalia. This Global Programme includes two specific funded programmes: 

The Resilient Systems of Secondary Cities and Migration Dynamics Programme and the Sustainable Urban Integration of Displacement Affected Communities (SUIDAC).

Key responsibilities of the In-Country Coordinator include: 

Project Delivery and Performance 

• Under oversight from the Senior Migration Specialist and in collaboration with the SUIDAC Programme Coordinator, ensure the successful implementation of the Cities Alliance assigned portfolio currently including the Cities Alliance Global Programme on Cities and Migration in Ethiopia and Somalia. 

• Liaising with the Senior Migration Specialist and the SUIDAC Programme Coordinator, to identify partners, develop proposals and prepare project agreements in connection with identified opportunities.

• Ensure successful development, implementation and supervision of assigned grants and work packages. 

• When required and under the guidance from the Senior Migration Specialist and the Programme Coordinator, ensure the overall HSSE performance in the Project Office while overseeing the implementation of all HSSE requirements in the activities located in Ethiopia and Somalia. 

• Support regional, national, and local policy initiatives and dialogues building institutional capacities of policy makers and local authorities on enhanced urban planning and forecasting in the Horn of Africa, lead the creation of local and regional initiatives from Somalia and Ethiopia. 

• Support and/or conduct field missions of the Secretariat in partner countries.

• Keep abreast of and assess the needs of the relevant national and local governments and other partners operating in the countries and region to identify and plan with them areas for leveraging Cities Alliance activities. 

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of Cities Alliance competencies in project service delivery and management, to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners.

• Participate, as delegated by the Senior Migration Specialist, in inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to contribute to the harmonisation of policies, practices and approaches within UNOPS and within  the UN System more broadly.

• Represent the Cities Alliance in Ethiopia and Somalia to current and potential project donors, ensure attendance to meetings and compliance with donor requests. 

• When required by the Senior Migration Specialist or the SUIDAC Programme Coordinator, ensure the supervision or secondary supervision of Cities Alliance staff in Ethiopia and Somalia. 

• Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability within the Ethiopia Project Office.

• Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure Cities Alliance is continually incorporating best practice approaches.

• In collaboration with Cities Alliance comms, contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate, regional and national development planning and knowledge building.

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in migration studies, urban development, urban planning, public policy and administration or related fields is required. 
• A first Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a masters degree.

• A minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated expertise in migration and urban planning in Ethiopia and Somalia is required. 
• Demonstrated experience with UNOPS, and experience with grant management is an asset.
• Demonstrated partnership skills with local and central government stakeholders is an asset. 
• Applied expertise in working with African cities on urban expansion planning is an asset. 
• Strong knowledge of sustainable urban growth in secondary cities in the Horn of Africa is an asset 
• In-depth understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the field of migration and urban planning in the Horn of Africa is a distinctive advantage. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and ability to translate technical findings to advance policy positions, including engaging with and influencing international policy makers, international media and international stakeholders is required. 
• Willingness to conduct regular field missions for project supervision particularly in Somalia and Ethiopia is required.

• Fluency in English is required. An Intermediate level of Amharic is required.

1. Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement
2. Contract level: IICA 2/ ICS 10
3. Contract duration : One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability 

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.