RACIDA Somalia Area Manager

RACIDA Somalia Area Manager

Job Type: Full Time

Experience: 10 years plus

Location: Dollow (with frequent visits to Mogadishu)

Reports to: Somalia Country Coordinator

Job Summary:

Rural Agency for Community Development and Assistance (RACIDA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance self-reliance and prosperity amongst vulnerable (Agro)-pastoralist communities living in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands through the promotion of better livelihood systems, sustainable use of natural resources and community empowerment. RACIDA began operations in Somalia in 2012 in Sothern and Central Somalia. RACIDA seeks to consistently implement highly integrated, contextually appropriate, community-based programming. Our programs are part of a comprehensive strategy that sets local communities across the Mandera Triangle at the center of their own development trajectory.

The Program Coordinator will be expected to provide strategic leadership and management to RACIDA’S humanitarian and holistic development work in Somalia. Advocate on behalf of organization’s development goals, building institutional relationships and promoting cooperative program activities. Lead the country team in formulating and executing a country strategy in line with strategic plan. Develop new funding streams to ensure growth and financial stability by working closely with the fundraising team at Regional Office.

Leadership

• Contribute to developing and implementing a coherent country programme strategy that contributes to achieving RACIDA’s strategic goals.
• Work closely with the Somalia Country Coordinator to provide leadership in the overall effective planning and direction of RACIDA’s programme and operations at country level.
• Build strong and committed team of local/National staff adhering to RACIDA policies and procedures as well as Values
• Create and maintain shared vision, amongst all RACIDA Somalia team
• Lead and support in strengthening coordination and collaboration within teams and across all teams, to maintain and ensure constructive communications, that contributes to a positive working environment.
• Network with and maintain good working relationships with key UN agencies, government authorities, NGO’s, public & private entities, and institutional donors and ensure collaboration, acceptance and awareness of RACIDA programs.

Programme Development and Management

• Lead the country team in developing new program and funding opportunities ensuring the financial health of the organization by closely collaborating with Nairobi Office.
• Take lead in ensuring targets of the country level funding strategy are met and establish productive working relationships with donors and be responsible for undertaking country level negotiations related to securing funding, programming contracts, and reports.
• Provide adequate leadership and support to programme managers in setting up high quality standards and implementation of programmes to ensure activities are done as per RACIDA internal procedures and are in line with donor guidelines.
• Ensure that all programmes are implemented and completed according to programme documents including agreed plans and budget, and in compliance with donors and internal policies.
• Maintain effective communication and liaise with RACIDA Nairobi Regional and ensure that high standard internal and donor reports are produced and submitted in timely manner and in line with relevant targets and objectives.
• Work closely with regional office in coordinating and monitoring ongoing cross border interventions.

Budget and Financial Management

• Ensure that the RACIDA organizational financial guidelines and procedures are adhered to at Country level.
• Develop and implement work and expenditure plans and ensure that the country programmes are implemented within agreed and approved budget through undertaking regular budget monitoring of expenditure against budget by working closely with finance team.

Representation and networking

• Ensure compliance with RACIDA’s statutory obligations in relation to registration compliance, including submission of mandatory reports to the authorities as may be required.
• Ensure that relationship and formal agreements with the government are established, maintained and updated as appropriate.
• Represent RACIDA at various coordination forums i.e. cluster working groups at Regional and national level.
• Promote and ensure that the organization’s neutrality, impartiality and independence is well communicated and consistently presented, and that we are perceived as an independent humanitarian organization addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.

Policies and procedures

• Closely working with regional office, ensure that support systems are in place and functioning in accordance with best practices to ensure transparency and accountability to programme participants, donors, government, and other relevant stakeholder.
• Promote and ensure compliance with the requirements of RACIDA’s Code of Conduct, along with community-based complaints and response mechanism (CRM) to ensure maximum protection of and accountability to programme beneficiaries.

Accountability

• ensure that all staff are familiar with the principles underpinning accountability, safeguarding and RACIDA's Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) and ensure that information about RACIDA's commitments on accountability and safeguarding are disseminated among programme participants and communities
• ensure that the CRM is functional, effectively implemented and accessible in all programmes' locations, enabling safe reporting of both programmatic and sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns by closely working with the regional Office CRM Officer.
• ensure that complaints are welcomed, managed and responded to in a timely, fair and appropriate manner; ensure that sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns, are handled with utmost confidentiality and that the safety of the complainants and those affected is prioritized at all stages.

Other

• The programme is in a dynamic context that requires continuous contextual analysis and adaptation of the strategic planning frameworks.

Requirement

• Advance Degree preferably in social science or development management or business management or related discipline.
• At least 5 years’ experience in management and coordination of humanitarian interventions and emergency response with at least 3 years’ experience in a senior management position in South and Central Somalia.
• Well-connected individual with robust network and knowledge of key players across the government, INGO & private sectors.
• Well conversant with the context of the NGO & INGO world and the federal government in Mogadishu.
• Experience in insecure and complex contexts and environments.
• Exceptional social acumen and an ability to forge strong working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including district/regional government officials and representatives’ non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, the private sector, and donor institutions is required.
• Experience working with local and regional government structures and knowledge of government protocols.
• Good understanding of cross-cutting issues - gender, peacebuilding, climate, DRR, etc. in the region.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and report writing skills and demonstrated ability to effectively lead teams.
• Ability to analyze budgets and financial reports for effective management decisions
• Strong public relations, diplomacy and negotiation skills
• Experience in transformational approaches to humanitarian and community development programming
• Proficient in office computer applications
• Fluent in both spoken and written English and Somali**.** Knowledge of and proficiency in the local language is strongly preferred.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Requires periodic travel to remote field locations where basic services may be limited
• May involve traveling in rough roads that are not maintained over long distances
• May encounter armed military or militia groups
• May require working on weekends or holidays to meet critical deadlines
• May be required to travel frequently to Mogadishu and Nairobi.

How to apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above requirements, should send a CV and Cover Letter only to jobs@racida.org with the subject of the email as the position applied for e.g. ‘RACIDA Somalia Area Manager '. The closing date for applications is 15th May 2026; however, CVs will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligible applicants are encouraged to send in their applications soonest.

Each application must include at least three referees who can validate technical expertise. Telephone contacts and email must be submitted with the application.

RACIDA is an equal-opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.