Project Coordinator in Somalia

About us

Ground Truth Solutions (GTS) is an international, non-governmental organization dedicated to ensuring the priorities of people affected by crisis are systematically considered in humanitarian and climate action, from individual responses to systemwide humanitarian reform. Evidence and ideas gathered through rigorous research and inclusive dialogue enable crisis-affected communities to actively shape the decisions that impact their lives. Headquartered in Austria, GTS works globally as an independent advocate, collaborating closely with local partners who share our vision. 

About the job

The responsibilities outlined here reflect our current thinking, but we expect the project and this role to evolve over time. You will bring your own knowledge, networks and ideas to shape how this work unfolds in practice, and we are excited to adapt this together as we go along. Working with the global coordination team, you will 

• Map the local data and accountability landscape. Support the mapping and synthesis of existing knowledge on community priorities, expectations and capacities, with a focus on local knowledge and data collected by local partners, highlighting where the gaps are. Map the key actors, networks and initiatives working on community-driven data and accountability in Somalia. 

• Build the network. Build relationships with data collectors, researchers, universities, civil society actors, community networks and grassroot groups working to shift power in the aid system in Somalia through community knowledge, accountability and advocacy, ensuring marginalized and underrepresented voices are not left out. Work with local accountability and data actors to understand what they are trying to achieve, what is getting in their way and what support they would need to get there. This will shape how the coalition is built and what it prioritises. 

• Set up the coalition and hold it together. Bring the coalition together and facilitate its engagements, workshops and co-design processes for research and advocacy. Manage day-to-day liaison with members and partners and create the conditions for coalition members to lead. 

• Ground the initiative in local realities and dynamics. Monitor socio-political, humanitarian and environmental developments that could affect the programme. Help the team navigate competing priorities and structures, flag risks early and coordinate and participate in field visits. 

• Root the work in evidence and learning. Continue to identify and connect the coalition to relevant local data sources and experts. Document and share learnings from the coalition’s work so that what happens in Somalia informs and inspires power shifting and global solidarity movements elsewhere. 

• Support advocacy and drive change.  Use the evidence the coalition collects to drive the changes communities want to see. Advocate for local leadership and community-driven narratives across humanitarian, development, governance, finance, climate and policy spaces. Support the coalition in the roll-out of its advocacy strategy and help connect country-level work and learnings to relevant partners and allies - including media, academic and advocacy partners - as well as growing global movements working to shift power in the aid system. 

 

Who we are looking for 

You are a skilled network-builder and facilitator, energised by building relationships, trust, structures and spaces that allow others to come together and lead. You are deeply rooted in Somali civil society, and you understand its dynamics well enough to navigate its diversity. You bring:  

• A commitment to local leadership. You are genuinely motivated by shifting power to local actors and communities and have been working towards ensuring they take part in decision-making processes in humanitarian, development, climate, government, or other spaces.  

• Embeddedness in local civil society. You know the civil society landscape, have existing relationships to key civil society actors working on accountability in humanitarian, development, climate, peace contexts, including networks, platforms and mutual aid/grassroot initiatives. You understand how to work across geographical and political diversity. 

• A talent for building and sustaining relationships. You are a natural relationship-builder who can identify the right actors, broker the right connections and sustain those relationships over time.  

• A strong communicator and advocate for local priorities. You are committed to amplifying voices – working with creativity and commitment to drive the changes communities want to see. You are equally comfortable in a room with senior government ministers as you are sitting with community organisers, making people of all levels feel heard and respected in your presence. 

• A belief in the power of data. While you do not need to be a data expert, you understand how evidence and research can be tools for shifting power and driving change, and you know how to use data to make a compelling case and hold decision-makers to account.  

• An autonomous working style. You can work independently in dynamic or remote settings, show initiative, problem-solving and accountability skills in a flexible and evolving programme. 

 

Experiences and skills 

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience is required. 

• Fluency in English and Somali is mandatory. 

• Proven experience supporting and coordinating civil society structures, networks, platforms or coalitions, with an active and trusted network of civil society actors in Somalia. Previous work with journalists, mutual aid and grassroots initiatives is a significant advantage.  

• A track record of facilitating inclusive dialogue and co-design processes that create space for diverse and marginalised actors to shape decisions.  

• Experience working and advocating with communities affected by crisis, through humanitarian, development, climate, academic, media or advocacy work, with a solid grasp of how decisions affecting these communities are made and by whom.  

• Demonstrated strong programme management and organisational skills. 

• A strong track record of excellent written and verbal communication. 

• Experience working with research and data to support decision-making, including communicating data to diverse audiences, is a plus. 

• Willingness and ability to travel across Somalia, according to programme needs and if the security situation allows.