I Application Process

II Facilitation of Qualified Somali Expatriate Missions

The selection process will be done in collaboration between the SIDP (and any other relevant technical agency) and the beneficiary institutions in Somalia.   The application and selection of the ideal candidate will go through the procedure outlined below.

Time Frame: The selection process is expected to take approximately 14 weeks (three-and-1/2 months), provided that both the SIDP and beneficiary institution focal points are involved in the process as required.

I. Application Process

1.    Developing the Terms of Reference (TOR)
Respective beneficiary institution and the SIDP will develop the TOR for the identified placement opportunities. The Ministry of Planning’s role needs to be clarified at the beginning of the process. The TOR will be posted on http://www.quests-mida.org where interested candidates can apply. The SIDP and beneficiary institution will each identify a focal point to be part of the entire recruitment/selection process.

Time frame: As soon as the TORs are given to QUESTS-MIDA, a maximum of five days will allow for the TORs to be placed on the QUESTS-MIDA website.

2.    Application
Candidates may apply once positions are advertised online. Applicants will be required to give detailed information such as academic and work experience, as well as personal data and references to be contacted. The estimated minimum amount of time for vacancies to be advertised is three weeks. Once an application has been submitted online, the applicant will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and an explanation by an automatic response. The first day a vacancy notice is listed online, it will be announced through the QUESTS-MIDA email subscription list as well as relevant media outlets.

Time frame: The estimated minimum amount of time for vacancies to be advertised is three weeks.

3.    List of potential candidates
Vacancies may be extended after the minimum three week posting period on a needs basis but after the closing date no applications can be received. A list of potential candidates will be developed automatically from the application forms submitted through the website-database. This list will contain only the applicants that meet the minimum requirements (education and years of relevant experience).

Time frame: This will take two days (if the list is generated automatically by the database. If not, then one to two weeks.)

4.    Short List
The list of potential candidates will be provided to SIDP. The SIDP focal point will narrow the list according to the qualifications determined by the TORs, and will share the list with the beneficiary institution focal point finalize the short list of candidates who will go through the next stage of a transparent interview process with the institution and SIDP, where candidates will be selected based on education and years of relevant work experience.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Time frame: The Short List is expected to be finalized within two to four days after the long list of candidates is handed over to SIDP and beneficiary institutions focal point.

5.    Expert selected through interview panel
QUESTS-MIDA will organize a phone interview panel with the shortlisted candidates, ideally the supervisor/focal point in the beneficiary institution, and with the technical agency (SIDP). QUESTS-MIDA will use a transparent rating/scoring sheet to determine the best candidate for the position. The selection criteria will be based on education and years of relevant work experience.


Time frame: The interview panels will be held within two to three weeks after the finalization of the Short List.

6.    Verifications and Contracts
QUESTS-MIDA will be responsible for the verification of the employment references and university qualifications of the selected candidate. QUESTS-MIDA assistants will also facilitate the signing of contracts between successful candidates and the beneficiary institutions.

Time frame: Allow  two to three  weeks to complete this process.

7.    Operations Procedures
The QUESTS-MIDA team will need two weeks to make arrangements pertaining to subsistence-allowance payments, flights, accommodations and transport to Nairobi and Somalia. QUESTS-MIDA will ensure that selected candidates receive all required documentation and briefings before departure.

Time frame:  two weeks

8.    Start of Assignment
The candidate is expected to begin his/her assignment two weeks after operations procedures are finalized. This is a minimum estimate, and much will depend on the personal schedule of the participant and the travel arrangements available at this time. Project monitoring will be done by QUESTS-MIDA assistants in partnership with SIDP sub-office staff.

Time frame: two weeks

9.    Completion of assignment
An exit interview will be carried out within two weeks time after the completion of the assignment, based on the participants travel schedule, to enable the expert to give a debrief and evaluation of the project on completion of the assignment. The final salary disbursement can then be approved after a final report is received from the successful participant. Also, the participant will receive a reintegration grant worth $100 per month in assignment. End-of-assignment payments/disbursements to the participant are dependent on final debrief interview and receipt of a final report.

NOTE:  Assignment duration is dependent on the specific TOR and the needs of the beneficiary institution. It is important to note that selected candidates will not necessarily have their contracts renewed or extended upon completion of assignment. Approximate timeframe for the selection process – 14 weeks or (three-and-1/2 months), depending on the required participation of the beneficiary institution and the SIDP focal point.

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II. Facilitation of Qualified Somali Expatriate Missions

The facilitation of the missions will be done by QUESTS-MIDA with technical support from SIDP as required. The following tasks will be done in the respective regions;
        
In the Diaspora:

• Reference check – verify university qualifications and referees;
• Briefings;
  
  • Initial – phone interview;
  • Facilitate the contract;
  • Arrange disbursements of subsistence allowance;
  • Make flight arrangements.

• Facilitate Somali beneficiary institutions contract;
• Check residential and office arrangements. (This should be in place before the mission begins);
• Facilitate the completion of monitoring reports by participants and beneficiary institutions;
• Facilitate departure of participants on completion of assignment.