Organizational Setting

The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the area of FAO’s global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO’s response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building, and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and close to 400 staff in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries.

Reporting Lines

The position is under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Somalia, the direct supervision of Head of Information and Systems Management.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide database application programming support in the IM unit of FAO as well as provide technical coordination to the other developers acting as team leader of the server team and Officer in Charge when needed.

Tasks and responsibilities

Database and Application Programming

•    Develop application modules for the FAO internal/external usage, both server and client-side programming.
•    Develop various databases using open-source programming in a web-based environment, for integration in the FAO database system.
•    Attend and conduct necessary meetings to plan and program any modules (database, intranet,
•    web site etc.)
•    Assist in the conceptual development of database driven applications.
•    Maintain the FAO applications currently in existence and modify/amend whenever necessary.
•    Develop, deploy, and maintain the BiMS (Beneficiary Information Management System), adding modules as and when required.
•    Develop, update and maintain the FAO Somalia website (https://www.fao.org/somalia) in collaboration with Communications department
•    All components will be programmed using Open-Source software and database systems (MySQL, PHP, XML, JSP, Java, Android, ODBC).

Server Maintenance

•    Setup, secure and maintain remote Linux virtual servers for various FAO internal and external usage.

Systems Integration

•    Facilitate kick-off meeting for inception phase with all FAO stakeholders.
•    Partner LoU & LoA development, implementation & tracking.
•    Project performance tracking with Partners with follow up on performance and resourcing issues.
•    Collaboration with SMRU, technical unit and partners on project reporting and communications to represent the project progress and success to internal & external stakeholders.

Training and Documentation

•    Training users (admin and system) using the various database and system applications.
•    Documenting programming code and system technical descriptions.

Research and Development

•    Continuously research on new technologies that can be applied at FAO.
•    Develop concept notes and proof of concepts for any identified new technologies.
•    Develop prototypes of new technologies, analyse and make recommendations on their adoption.
•    Advise FAO users on procurement of hardware and software concerned with the systems is use at FAO.

Supervision, team leadership and guidance 

•    Guide and mentor other developers in the ISM Unit under the server team.
•    Perform code review and approval prior to deployment of new code to repository.
•    Act as ISM Unit team OiC (Officer in Charge) in absence of head of unit and whenever called upon.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements 

•    University degree in information communication technology (ICT), computer science or computer engineering or a related field is required.
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in projects involving database programming and web, mobile and desktop application development, database administration using PHP, Java, Android and MySQL.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian for COF.REG. Working knowledge of English (level C) for PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Programming experience in Open-Source languages and Operating Systems (MySQL, PHP, Apache, HTML, XML).
•    Previous work experience in statistical related projects will be an advantage.
•    Previous experience working in Somalia and willingness to travel throughout Somalia will be an added advantage.
•    Ability to effectively use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Exchange) etc. Ability to use accounting software and other information systems and databases to insert data, make enquiries, retrieve/define ad hoc reports and analyses, and edit results in appropriate format.
•    Systematic, well-structured, and efficient approach to work assignments. Analytical ability, accuracy, and consistency.
•    Exercise diligence and care in dealing with records and expenditures.
•    The incumbent must possess a cooperative spirit, flexibility, and openness to work in an international environment.
•    Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural background.