FAMILY STRENGTHENING AND LIVELIHOOD MANAGER

SOS Children’s Villages International is the umbrella organization to which all SOS Children’s Villages including SOS Children’s Villages Somalia Association is affiliated. SOS Children’s Villages Somalia has officially been working in Somalia since 1985. SOS is currently working in 134 countries worldwide. We are committed to the welfare of children – often throughout the whole of their childhood, and to strengthening families and communities as a preventive measure in the fight against abandonment and social neglect. We also run education and health facilities. With the SOS Children’s Village concept, the organization pioneered a family approach to the long-term care of orphaned and abandoned children. SOS Children’s Villages upholds child protection policy and our selection processes reflect our commitment to the protection of children and youth from abuse. Banadir Region (Heliwa, Wadajir, Dharkenley and Dayninle districts) southwest-state (Baidoa, Burhakaba, Berdale, Baidoa and Hudur) and Hirshabelle State (Jowhar, Adale & Balcad).

SOS Children’s Villages invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates who fulfill the eligibility criterion for the below position.

Position Title: Family Strengthening and Livelihood Manager

Reporting To: Programme Development and Quality Director

Location: Mogadishu but frequently travelling to programme locations

JOB SUMMARY

The Family Strengthening and Livelihood Manager will lead be the technical lead for Norad funded Family Strengthening and Livelihood project and will also act overall leader for the livelihood sector within the organization and in accordance with SOS global policies, strategies, standard operating procedures, guidelines and available resources. Knowledge of integrated humanitarian, humanitarian programme cycle and the triple nexus programming are core pre-requisite skills sets required for the position.

Additionally, the post holder is required to significantly support in efforts to mobile resources and fund-raising for the livelihood /family strengthening sector and lead technically the capacity investment towards sector staff and local partners. The postholder will work alongside a dedicated sectorial team in all program locations.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Strategy and Implementation

• Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of family strengthening and livelihood programs in alignment with SOS Children’s Villages’ policies and national child protection frameworks.
• Develop context-specific strategies to address the root causes of family breakdown, ensuring that interventions are sustainable and community-driven.
• Coordinate with local authorities, NGOs, and community stakeholders to create a strong support system for at-risk families.
• Lead effectively all livelihood and family strengthening programme implementation in accordance with projects donor regulations and organization programme polices.
• Development planning and implementation programme tools including detail implementation plans among many other important tools.
• Oversee the implementation progress of the projects through the national partners and field team and ensure adequate support is provided to teams and partners.
• Engage with the relevant stakeholders for the implementation of the programmes and ensure their awareness of the SOS CV work.

Community Engagement and Capacity Building

• Strengthen the capacities of community-based organizations, child protection committees, and self-help groups to advocate for and support vulnerable families.
• Organize parenting workshops, mental health support programs, and child rights awareness campaigns to promote child well-being.
• Facilitate vocational training, financial literacy programs, and business development support for caregivers to enhance their income-generating capacities.

Economic Empowerment and Livelihood Development

• Develop and implement livelihood support initiatives, including microfinance programs, entrepreneurship training, and access to financial services.
• Strengthen partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, and vocational institutions to provide economic opportunities for families.
• Promote income-generating activities tailored to the local economy, ensuring financial sustainability for families at risk of separation

Case Management and Family Support Services

• Oversee a comprehensive case management system, ensuring that each supported family has an individualized development plan.
• Ensure that family needs assessments, psychosocial support, and social protection services are effectively provided.
• Monitor progress and ensure that family reunification and reintegration efforts align with child protection principles.

Advocacy and Policy Engagement

• Advocate for the inclusion of family strengthening services in national child protection policies and social welfare programs.
• Engage with government authorities, policymakers, and donor organizations to mobilize resources and improve service delivery.
• Represent SOS Children’s Villages in national and international forums on child protection, family strengthening, and sustainable livelihoods.

Institutional Capacity Building

• Conduct capacity assessment of the local partners and project staff and based on the assessment outcomes; development corresponding actionable capacity building plans

Budget Management

• Responsible for the Norad Project management and oversee the utilization of the project budget in close collaboration with relevant finance unit team and areas managers of the programme locations.
• Conduct activity budget signoffs and ensure proper use of the programme budgets.
• Attend monthly and quarterly BVA meetings and ensure all budgetary discrepancies are identified and sorted out.

Fund Raising and Resource Mobilization

• Lead the development of new project ideas, concepts notes and proposals by closely working with the institutional partnership development (IPD) team and the national programme development unit.
• Develop and draft programme donor reports including technical briefings and sectorial gap analysis in a timely manner.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Responsible for coordinating FS& Livelihood sector staff through regular programme coordination meetings.
• Representing SOS Children’s Village in key coordination forums including relevant clusters, government-led coordination forums
• Coordinate all the family strengthening and livelihood programmes with the relevant stakeholders and ensure complimentary synergies are achieved through this coordination.

QUALIFICATION AND JOB COMPETENCIES

• The candidate must have progressive academic qualification and must have at minimum of master’s in social science, Food Security, Programme management and strategic management from accredited university.
• The candidate must have a minimum of 12 years of working experience in Family strengthening and livelihood programming in a humanitarian/recovery context and working with social protection themes.
• Proven expertise and experience in the development of Family Strengthening, child protection and Livelihood portfolio and possession of high capacity in the development of new FS/Livelihood proposals and concept notes.
• Proven experience in program design, implementation, and monitoring, preferably within an NGO or international development organization.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, policy advocacy, and multi-sectoral collaboration
• Result and action-oriented Livelihood professional with proven expertise in different livelihoods/protections approaches.
• Working experience in Somalia in the Livelihood and family strengthening sectors
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
• Strong communication skills especially creative writing skills as well as fluency in English, both written and verbal.
• We are particularly looking for a positive individual with strong communication skills, who can build trust and confidently navigate both internally and externally at different levels.
• In this position, you will join highly motivated and expert staff who are making a difference to the most vulnerable people.
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills with the ability to represent SOS CV in donor forums, develop partnerships with other NGOs

Core Competencies and Skills

• Leadership and program management skills to oversee teams, budgets, and project implementation.
• Strong communication and advocacy abilities to engage with communities, policymakers, and donors.
• Financial management skills for effective resource allocation and sustainability planning.
• Data analysis and impact assessment expertise to evaluate program effectiveness and inform decision-making.
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability to work in diverse socio-economic settings.
• Strong leadership and program management skills to oversee projects and coordinate teams.
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills to engage with stakeholders, including governments and community groups.
• Financial management abilities to ensure efficient use of resources in economic empowerment programs.
• Data management and analytical skills to track progress and measure impact

Child Safeguarding Policy:

SOS Children’s Villages organization is committed to safeguarding the rights of the children and therefore, is expected that every individual who joins with SOS Children’s Villages Somalia understand his/her responsibility in protecting and keeping children always safe.