Career Opportunity Details
Closed
Staff Position
Technical
Application Deadline
September 24, 2025
Policy and Strategic Advisor
Posted On:
September 2, 2025
Location:
Kismayo, Somalia.
Duration:
14 Months
Job Description
The Policy and Strategic Advisor play a critical role in shaping NLA’s institutional strategy and positioning within Somalia’s governance and leadership development landscape. This role supports strategic planning, high-level policy analysis, government engagement, and reform alignment with the Transformational Governance Project (TGP) — specifically Output 1 (Policy Coherence and Coordination) and Output 2 (Institutional Capacity Strengthening).
The Advisor will guide policy development, ensure that NLA strategies reflect national priorities, and generate evidence-based recommendations that enhance leadership development initiatives, whole-of-government coordination, and institutional partnerships.
The Advisor will guide policy development, ensure that NLA strategies reflect national priorities, and generate evidence-based recommendations that enhance leadership development initiatives, whole-of-government coordination, and institutional partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the formulation, review, and alignment of NLA’s institutional policies and strategies with national priorities and TGP outputs. Analyze national policy trends (education, governance, leadership) and recommend responsive adjustments to NLA strategies.
Support the development of multi-year strategic plans and annual work plans aligned with TGP results. Identify institutional risks and opportunities for NLA to contribute to governance reform agendas.
Conduct research on best practices in leadership development, governance, and public administration. Produce high-quality policy briefs, analysis papers, and presentations to inform Board and Executive decision-making.
Serve as the focal point for strategic dialogues with government ministries (e.g., OPM, MoE, MoPIED), civil society, and development partners. Facilitate NLA’s participation in national reform processes, joint forums, and donor coordination platforms. Ensure alignment between NLA’s work and TGP’s whole-of-government coordination objectives.
Draft policy recommendations, strategic reports, and briefing notes for the Board of Directors. Translate complex policy issues into clear, actionable strategies and guidance.
Ensure adherence to NLA’s governance, ethics, and transparency standards in all strategic initiatives. Provide oversight to ensure that institutional reforms are implemented in line with TGP governance principles.
Requirements
Familiarity with Somalia’s governance structures, educational system and development context. Demonstrated understanding of national and regional policy issues affecting education and leadership.
Strong analytical, writing and presentation skills. Ability to translate complex policy issues into practical strategies. Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder consultations.
Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Somali is highly desirable.
Ability to think critically and formulate long-term strategies.
Strong research and data-analysis skills, with attention to detail.
Excellent verbal and written communication; able to explain ideas clearly to diverse audiences.
Collaborative and diplomatic; builds partnerships across teams and external stakeholders.
High ethical standards, respecting confidentiality and NLA’s values.
Flexible and resilient in Somalia’s evolving and sometimes challenging.
7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in policy analysis, strategic planning or institutional development. Experience in an NGO, academic or government setting, with at least 3 years in a senior advisory role, is required..
Qualifications
Master’s degree in public policy, International Development, Education Leadership, Public Administration or related field.
Benefits
Competitive compensation package including hardship and duty-station allowances.
Strategic leadership exposure with direct access to the NLA Board and senior government institutions.
Opportunity to influence national policy and governance reform under the Transformational Governance Project (TGP).
Professional development through training, policy forums, and institutional learning opportunities.
Purpose-driven role contributing to leadership development and governance transformation in Somalia
How to Apply
Submit applications via email with all required documents. Include cover letter, CV, and relevant certificates.
Offline option: Applicants facing digital divide challenges may submit hard copies of their applications to NLA Campus, Kismayo, Somalia during business hours before the application deadline.
Applications must be submitted before the deadline
Application deadline has passed
Need More Information?
For inquiries about this position, please contact:
Contact Us