Secretariat
Short Term Consultancy Opportunity
Senior Soil and Water Conservation Expert
Upper Marodijeh Soil & Water Conservation Project Baseline Survey
Ministry of Agriculture
Background
The Somaliland Development Fund (SDF) is a 4 - year fund designed to support the
Government of Somaliland (GoSL) filling a critical gap supporting projects that are fully
aligned to the National Development Plan (NDP). SDF is currently funded by the Department
for International Development (DFID), the Danish International Development Agency
(DANIDA) and the Norwegian Government (Norway). The fund finances implementation of
projects proposed and designed by Government of Somaliland line ministries and agencies
which are aligned to the National Development Plan (NDP) and the specific ministries
strategies. The management of the SDF Secretariat has been contracted to BMB Mott
MacDonald, an international consulting company, which is responsible for both the strategic
and day – to – day management of the fund on behalf of the Government of Somaliland and
the donors.
The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has received funding from the SDF for the Upper Marodijeh
Soil & Water Conservation Project. The Marodijeh Upper Catchment (MUC) agro-pastoral
communities in Somaliland have been severely affected by high rates of soil erosion and
water scarcity for the last two decades. This has resulted in declining crop productivity and
increased risks to the sustainability of livelihoods in the area. The project intends to improve
household incomes of communities residing in the MUC areas through interventions in soil
and water conservation measures and introduction of improved agronomic practices. The
project will furthermore enhance Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) technical capacity and is
expected to become a model for other Somaliland agro-pastoral communities who face similar
constraints.
The purpose of the proposed MUC conservation project is therefore to improve the livelihoods
of MUC community by restoring and raising land productivity. This will be achieved through
implementation of Soil & Water Conservation activities in the Upper Maroodijeh area.
Activities include gully rehabilitation, construction of soil bunds, rehabilitation of damaged
berkads and earth dams, and demonstration of rainwater harvesting techniques. The project
will also showcase best farming practices as well as enhancing the MoA capacity to oversee
the soil and water conservation in the MUC and Somaliland in general.
Role of the Soil and Water Conservation Expert
The SDF therefore seek the services of a Senior Short Term Expert in Soil and Water
Conservation to lead a team of three (including the Senior Expert) to conduct a
comprehensive baseline assessment and design of technical interventions proposed in the
project proposal. The other members of the team are National STE in Crop Production and
National STE in Community Organisation. The Senior Expert will work in consultation with the
SDF Secretariat and the Project Management Teams (PMT).
Required Qualifications/Skills
Qualifications and skills
 Master’s Degree or equivalent in Agricultural Engineering, Water Engineering or
Range Management;
 Demonstrated excellent command of spoken and written English. Fluency in Somali
will be an added advantage although not essential; and
 Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills.
General professional experience
 Minimum of 15 years' experience working at a senior level implementing development
projects in the agricultural sector in Africa.; and
 Demonstrated experience with public or non - profit sector clients;
Specific professional experience
 Demonstrated experience (minimum 10 years) in soil and water conservation in the
dry lands of Africa for the public sector or non - profit sector development projects; and
 Demonstrated experience design and implementation of soil and water conservation
infrastructures in arid and semi-arid areas. Practical experience in labour intensive
community based implementation will be an added advantage;
 In-depth knowledge of conflict issues in Africa region especially in the pastoralists and
agro - pastoralists setting; and
 Experience in community organisation and mobilization in agro pastoralists and pastoralist
setting.
Interested candidates should send their applications (cover letter and CV) to the Somaliland
Development Fund Secretariat through e-mail. It should be addressed to jobs@sdfsecretariat.org Candidates should indicate in their cover letter how they fit the criteria outlined
in the advert. All applications must be received by 19 May 2014 by 17:00 East African
standard Time. Full terms of reference (ToRs) can be requested via email from SDF
recruitment consultant at l.vocks@europeansolutions.nl or downloaded from the SDF Website
www.somalilanddevelopmentfund.org open opportunities section. Since the SDF recruiting for
multiple positions, please include the position you are applying for in the email subject line.
This position can only be fulfilled upon the approval of the underlying project by the Joint
Steering Committee. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This role is open to Somaliland, regional and international candidates
Women candidates are encouraged to apply