Position Title: Focal person; citizen engagement Consul patform, Samaynta project ; Baidoa Municipality

Project: Local Digital Citizen Engagement Platform (Fariin-Maal.so) – Consult Platform Operationalization

Duration: Eight (8) Months

Duty Station: Baidoa Municipality, Southwest State of Somalia

Reporting to: Mayor of Baidoa Municipality

1. Background

Baidoa Municipality, under the Saameynta Programme, is committed to enhancing participatory governance and fostering effective communication between citizens and local authorities. As part of this initiative, the municipality is launching the Local Digital Citizen Engagement Platform (Fariin-Maal.so) to facilitate direct citizen interaction with local government, enabling them to submit feedback, voice concerns, and actively participate in decision-making processes.

In an era of digital transformation, e-governance has become a crucial tool for improving transparency, accountability, and public service delivery. By leveraging digital citizen engagement strategies, Baidoa Municipality can strengthen inclusive governance, ensuring that the voices of residents are heard and considered in policymaking. The platform will bridge the gap between the government and the community, allowing for real-time feedback, data-driven decision-making, and enhanced civic participation. Ultimately, this initiative aims to empower citizens, modernize governance structures, and drive sustainable development in Baidoa.

Fariin-Maal.so serves as Baidoa Municipalitys official digital engagement platform, designed to foster continuous dialogue with the community. The goal is to register at least 450 community members on the platform, encouraging them to share their feedback and priorities. Their participation will be instrumental in shaping municipal policies, service improvements, and urban development strategies.

To ensure the successful rollout and ongoing management of this initiative, Baidoa Municipality is seeking a dedicated Focal Point to oversee the platforms implementation, citizen engagement efforts, and overall coordination for an eight-month period. This role will be central in driving community participation, expanding outreach, and ensuring that the platform effectively serves its purpose in strengthening inclusive governance within Baidoa.

2. Purpose of the Role

The purpose of the Saameynta Focal Point is to coordinate and implement outreach and engagement activities that promote the Fariin-Maal.so platform, ensure widespread registration and participation, and manage the platform`s content and user feedback. The Focal Point will work closely with the Mayor, municipal departments, community stakeholders, media, and development partners to ensure the platform becomes an effective tool for participatory governance in Baidoa.

3. Key Responsibilities and Activities

• Design and Implement an Outreach and Communication Plan.
• Conduct a Digital Awareness and Media Campaign.
• Community Engagement and Mobilization.
• Coordinate Registration and Participation Management.
• Data Collection and Feedback Analysis.
• Collaboration with Municipal Officials and Development Partners.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting.

4. Expected Deliverables

• A comprehensive and approved outreach and communication plan for promoting Fariin-Maal.so.
• Monthly activity reports detailing outreach events, citizen registration statistics, and feedback received.
• Quarterly analytical reports on platform usage and citizen engagement trends, including recommendations.
• A final summary report at the end of the eight-month period, highlighting achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and future recommendations.
• Complete documentation of all activities, including event reports, participant lists, photos, and media materials.

5. Required Inputs from Baidoa Municipality

• Personnel and technical support from municipal departments, including communication and IT teams.
• Office space, internet access, and administrative support for daily operations.
• Funding and logistical support for organizing events, community engagement, and promotional campaigns.
• Design and printing of outreach materials, including infographics, flyers, and banners.
• Partnership coordination with community groups, NGOs, and local media.
• Provision of data collection and reporting tools, including templates and platforms for feedback analysis.

6. Qualifications and Competencies

• University degree in Public Administration, Communication, IT, Governance, or Social Sciences.
• Proven experience in community engagement, digital platform management, and public communication.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and coordination skills.
• Experience managing social media and digital campaigns.
• Knowledge of governance systems and citizen participation approaches.
• Ability to analyze data and prepare professional reports.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage diverse community stakeholders.

7. Reporting Line

The Saameynta Focal Point will report directly to the Mayor of Baidoa Municipality, ensuring close coordination with the Mayors office and other municipal departments. The Focal Point will also coordinate regularly with Saameynta Programme teams and partners to align efforts and share progress.

8. Duration and Working Conditions

Duration: Eight (8) months, renewable based on performance and program needs.
Duty Station: Baidoa Municipality, with regular field visits within the city to conduct community engagement and sensitization activities.

9. Monitoring and Performance Review

The performance of the Focal Point will be monitored monthly by the Mayors Office, with support from the Saameynta Programme team UNDP . Performance indicators will include the number of citizens registered, number of engagement activities conducted, quality of reports submitted, and impact of citizen feedback on municipal decisions.

Any candidate interested in this position is kindly requested to send their CV, Application Letter, and Terms of Reference (ToR) to the following email address:

To: info@baidoadistrict.sw.so
CC: dc.mayor@baidoadistrict.sw.so

Please ensure that all required documents are included in your application. Only complete applications will be considered.