Reference: DFIDJOB-0164

Closing date: 16 February 2012

Interview date: Not Specified

Number of vacancies: 1

Location: Sana’a, Yemen

Appointment Terms: Permanent

Working Arrangements: Full-time

Specific requirements: Staff appointed in country (SAIC)

 

 

Brief description: A locally-appointed Assistant Governance Adviser is needed to support expanded work on the Governance and Security Pillar of the Operational Plan.

 

Background

 

Yemen is a priority for the UK and DFID. Key challenges include widespread poverty, high population growth, deteriorating economic prospects, political tensions, conflict, and a fully-fledged humanitarian crisis. The UK’s overall objective is to reduce the risk of state failure in Yemen by helping to tackle the grievances which contribute to radicalisation and extremism. By focusing our support on basic service delivery, stronger state institutions and economic opportunity, we aim to address the most immediate causes of poverty, conflict and instability, and to create a more favourable environment for a sustained improvement in Yemen’s development and stability.  DFID works very closely with other British Government departments in Yemen.

 

The signing of the GCC agreement is a welcome move to end the political stalemate that has exacerbated Yemen’s economic and humanitarian challenges.  However, getting to a new political settlement that will support Yemen’s long-term development, stability and security will require work and risks remain.  DFID’s programme will evolve in response to changing circumstances and we are keeping it under close review.  During transition we will provide further support to interim elections, further humanitarian assistance, and support to private sector development.

 

Following the DFID Bilateral Aid Review, the case was agreed to recruit a locally-appointed Assistant Governance Advisor (AGA) to support expanded work on the Governance and Security Pillar of the Operational Plan.  Since this decision was made, the deteriorating security situation in Sana’a has caused a reduction in the number of UK DFID staff able to be present in Yemen, which has strengthened the case for a locally appointed AGA who is able to lead on ‘demand’ side accountability support under the Governance and Security Pillar and assist the Governance Advisor (and other Advisors) to maintain relationships with key political actors.

The DFID Yemen office currently operates over two sites: London, and Sana’a.  The London-based team consists of: 2 Deputy Heads (Policy, Programmes), 1 Economics Advisor, 1 Social Development Advisor, 1 Humanitarian Advisor, 4 Programme Admin, and a number of part-time advisory inputs.  The Sana’a team is located within the British Embassy and consists of: 1 Head of Office, 1 Governance Advisor, and 4 locally engaged staff.  After April, the Sana’a team is likely to alter with the Head of Office being located in London and the Governance Advisor spending 50% time in Sana’a and one of the London-based advisors moving to 50% time in Sana’a.  One of the deputy posts will be in Sana’a and other advisors will visit regularly. 

Job Description/ duties

The AGA will strengthen the governance advisory capacity of the programme, with particular reference the area of citizen empowerment and accountability.  The AGA will report to the Governance Advisor, working closely with other DFID Advisors, and maintain relationships with a wide range of government and civil society stakeholders in Yemen.

 

The AGA will:

 

• Contribute to Yemen governance and political economy analysis;

 

• Support effective design, implementation and monitoring of impact and results of DFID’s Governance and Security programmes, including leading on the development of one or more new programme business cases per year (2012 – likely to be the Citizen Empowerment and Accountability Programme);

 

• Cross cutting governance advice to other parts of the DFID Yemen Programme, providing at least three business case appraisals per year, commenting on other advisor contributions in the areas of social sector service delivery, private sector development, and civil society, and representing DFID in meetings with external stakeholders;

 

• Maintain a current understanding of key actors and power relationships within government and in civil society.  Facilitate relationships with contacts for the Economic and Social Development Advisors based in London.  This will include representation at meetings on behalf of London based advisors, proactive support in preparing visit programmes to ensure the right people are involved, assisting the development of new strategic relationships, and accompanying visiting advisors to some key meetings.  Although not required to a professional level, a willingness to provide some ad hoc translation to meetings will be expected.

 

• Fulfil DFID Yemen’s programme and corporate requirements (reporting, communications, risk management) as required and contribute to the team’s learning and development goals, demonstrating DFID’s values and behaviours.  A full ‘introduction to DFID’ training course will be provided.   DFID’s values statement is available on the DFID website.

 

Relevant job specific skills and/or technical competencies required

 

Specific requirements at a minimum are the following:

 

• Degree in law, public administration, politics, economics, or social science. Masters degree in a governance-related field an advantage but demonstrated experience and performance equally considered.

 

• A good understanding of governance issues and politics in Yemen, DFID’s approach to governance and of broader development issues, including youth, gender and social exclusion.

 

• At least 3 years experience of developing and managing governance programmes or development programmes more broadly.

 

• Native Arabic speaker with excellent writing skills and ability to communicate effectively across a broad audience in English.

 

• Ability to interpret and present complicated information and identify trends, evaluate the level of risk in decisions and possible outcomes, and adjust targets to meet changing circumstances.

 

• A strong ability to work both independently and as part of a team to deliver results

 

Technical Competencies (further detail of competencies in “Technical Competencies: Governance Advisers”)

 

The AGA should be able to demonstrate proven expertise in the technical competency of Political systems and analysis, and at least one of the following core areas:

 

• State building and human security including security and justice

 

• Public sector governance and delivering essential services

 

• Realising rights and freedoms

 

The AGA should also demonstrate an understanding of the following shared DFID advisory competencies:

 

• Knowledge and understanding of international aid

 

• Collating, analysing and presenting evidence/research using statistical and wider analytical skills

 

• Economic concepts, appraisal and value for money

 

• Evaluation and results

 

 

Application Process 

 

A completed application form along with CV and references, should be sent by email to:  dfidyemen-recruitment@dfid.gov.uk

 

Paper applications will not be accepted at the Embassy

 

Closing date for all applications is:  12:00 on Thursday 16 February 2012

 

 

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