Project Manager Disaster Preparedness (ECHO)

Job Description

Position: Project Manager Disaster Preparedness (ECHO) Somalia (locally hired, seconded to Finnish RC), 100%

Duration and starting date: 12 months (with possibility of extension), starting in September

Line Manager: Executive Director, Mogadishu coordination office, SRCS

Technical reporting: FRC Country Manager

The Finnish Red Cross (FRC), and its partner, the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS), are part of the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement, the world’s largest humanitarian network with millions of volunteers and staff operating in 190 countries. Our mission is to alleviate human suffering, protect life and health, and uphold human dignity, especially during armed conflicts and other emergencies. To achieve this, we follow the seven humanitarian principles: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary service, Unity, and Universality.

Background

The Finnish Red Cross (FRC) is partnering with the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) in a Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) funded project on ‘Strengthening Local Early Action Capacities for Climate-Induced Disasters and Health Emergencies in Kenya and Somalia’ for 2025-2027. This ECHO Disaster Preparedness (DP) Action implementation period started on 1.5.2025 for Somalia.

The SRCS will strengthen disaster preparedness and health emergency response capacities in three Somali states (Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Jubaland) through an integrated approach, enhancing local early warning systems and coordinated response mechanisms to respond to climate-induced disasters and health emergencies.

In Somalia, the Action will focus on three key results: First (Result 2), addressing conflict and climate-induced displacement preparedness by establishing an Early Warning System in twenty villages under four SRCS Branches: Dhusamareb, Beledweyne, Jowhar, and Kismaayo that transform existing informal response networks into robust preparedness mechanisms combining traditional knowledge with technical forecasting. Second (Result 3), strengthening epidemic preparedness and response through enhanced community-based surveillance, improved infection prevention and control, and WASH infrastructure improvements linked to epidemic risk. Third (Result 4), the multi-modal approach ensures SRCS branches can deploy aid within 72 hours of emergency triggers. These 3 results in Somalia will be achieved through a consortium formed by the FRC, the Norwegian Red Cross (NoRC), and SRCS. In the consortium, FRC is responsible for Results 2 and 4, and NoRC for Result 3, where SRCS will be the implementing partner for all 3 Results.

Purpose                

The overall purpose of the position is to ensure that SRCS implements the project under the ECHO DP Action receives sufficient Project Cycle Management (PCM) support, including compliance, quality control, technical support, and contributes to knowledge development. The Project Manager ensures projects are implemented in time and according to agreed budget frameworks, and that reports to FRC HQ and/or back donors are produced in time and are of high quality. The position contributes to the institutional, programmatic, and operational cooperation between the FRC, NoRC, and SRCS. The Project Manager participates where relevant in planning, resource mobilization, and stakeholder relations in the country, especially in the FRC-supported operations and projects.  

The position is seconded to Finnish RC but will be working day to day with the respective SRCS counterparts and closely liaising with other relevant FRC staff. While the line manager of the position is the FRC Country Manager, the SRCS counterpart (Executive Director, Mogadishu coordination office) remains the primary point of contact for day-to-day functions. In addition, the Project Manager is also expected to maintain a close working relationship and liaison with the FRC Project Manager in Nairobi (responsible for the same ECHO DP action in Kenya). 

Expected results

1.       Ensure that the project is implemented on time, within budget, and meets agreed-upon quality standards by providing direct support to the SRCS team, especially the SRCS Project Coordinator for ECHO DP Action. 

2.       The Project Manager will lead consortium coordination, maintain regular communication with SRCS, FRC, and NoRC, and support the development of an implementation plan, budget, and project management systems and tools. The Project Manager is also responsible for tracking activity planning, ensuring timely implementation, and alerting management to any anticipated delays.

3.       Provide technical support to the SRCS in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and WASH, which includes setting up an Early Warning System, delivering emergency response activities, and implementing WASH activities in communities and clinics.

4.       Provide support to SRCS in establishing appropriate data collection systems, report writing, and submitting reports to FRC on time. The Project Manager will also conduct joint and individual monitoring with SRCS and NoRC to provide support to the SRCS branches (Dhusamareb, Beledweyne, Jowhar, and Kismaayo).

5.       Oversee all local procurements for the project, following the approved SRCS procurement policy and procedures, in coordination with relevant FRC counterparts. 

6.       Contribute to resource mobilization efforts by working closely with the line manager to identify potential funding opportunities and assist in developing concept notes and proposals. Additionally, the Project Manager will regularly identify, follow up on, and mitigate project and operational risks in line with the FRC Risk Management Policy.

Main responsibilities

1.       Project Implementation Oversight: Ensure timely, quality, and budget-compliant implementation of the project activities in collaboration with SRCS and NoRC. 

2.       Consortium & Partner Coordination: Lead the coordination among SRCS, FRC, and NoRC, facilitating regular communication, joint planning, and operational meetings to review the progress as well as to come up with the rectification plan whenever needed. 

3.       Technical Support in DRM & WASH: Provide hands-on technical support in disaster preparedness, early warning systems, emergency response, and WASH interventions. 

4.       Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting: Support SRCS in establishing data collection systems, conducting joint and individual monitoring visits, and ensuring timely, high-quality narrative and financial reports in line with donor requirements.

5.       Financial & Procurement Oversight: In collaboration with the FRC Country Manager and Regional Finance and Administration Delegate (RFAD), oversee project budget monitoring, financial reporting, and local procurement processes in compliance with SRCS and donor policies.

6.       Risk Management: Identify, track, and mitigate project and operational risks following the FRC Risk Management Policy, ensuring adaptive project management where needed.

7.       Capacity Strengthening: Support SRCS teams and targeted Branches in enhancing project management, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and operational capacities for improved locally led action.

8.       Knowledge Management & Learning: Document lessons learned, facilitate project reviews/evaluations, and promote knowledge sharing within FRC, NoRC, SRCS, and the RCRC Movement to improve programme quality and sustainability.

9.       Cross-cutting Integration: Ensure integration of protection, gender and inclusion, community engagement and accountability, and climate resilience considerations into all project activities.

10.   Resource Mobilisation & Strategic Development: Collaborate with the Country Manager to identify new funding opportunities, contribute to proposal development.

In addition, the Project Manager is to perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Skills and qualifications

Target Profile

1. Education

• Required: University level in a relevant field (e.g. Project Management, Management and Administration, Disaster Risk Management).
• Preferred: Technical background in Disaster Risk Management, including Emergency Response, Disaster Preparedness, and Anticipatory Action.
• Preferred: Project management-related professional certificate course/ diploma.

2. Experience

• Required: At least 5 years of professional experience working in development cooperation and/or humanitarian aid in Somalia.
• Required: Proven managerial experience, including financial management, in international cooperation programmes or operations.
• Required: Experience in national, sub-national, and community-level disaster preparedness/response and WASH work.
• Preferred: experience of working in a multi-stakeholder consortium project.
• Preferred: Experience with EU/ECHO as a donor and funding partner.
• Preferred: Previous working experience within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

3. Skills and competencies

• Good understanding of key phases and tools in the project management cycle.
• Excellent skills in producing technical and analytical reports in English.
• Knowledge and proven track record in applying the principles of results-based management and accountability in practice.
• Managerial effectiveness in a multi-stakeholder consortium project setting.
• Diversity and cultural sensitivity.
• Team building capacities and good partnership/counterpart management and interaction skills.
• Good facilitation and on-the-job capacity building skills  
• Good understanding of practical application of cross-cutting objectives: protection, gender and inclusion, community engagement and accountability, environment and climate resilience, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement principles and values.

4. Languages

• Required: Fluent written and spoken English.
• Preferred: Written and spoken language of the concerned geographical cooperation areas