Higher Education Expert – Capacity Strengthening Project

About the role

The Higher Education Expert will join the core team of the EU‑funded Higher Education System Strengthening Project II in Somalia. The role focuses on building the capacity of Somalia’s higher education system to improve coordination, regulation and sustainability of interventions.

Key responsibilities

• Support the implementation of the project’s objectives, including policy development and regulatory frameworks.
• Provide direct advisory support to the Ministry of Education or higher education commissions on policy and quality assurance.
• Coordinate multi‑stakeholder initiatives such as public‑private partnerships and donor‑aligned programmes.
• Collaborate with international partners (UNICEF, World Bank, EU, bilateral donors) on higher‑education initiatives.
• Lead the design and implementation of quality‑assurance and accreditation frameworks in line with international standards.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Policy, Education Management, Public Administration or related field (or Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 years relevant experience).
• Minimum 7 years of experience in higher‑education policy implementation, including advisory roles to ministries or commissions.
• At least 10 years of proven experience in quality‑assurance and accreditation in higher education.
• Experience coordinating multi‑stakeholder and international projects, preferably in the Horn of Africa or post‑conflict settings.
• Excellent written and spoken English; Somali proficiency is an asset.

Required skills

• Project management and reporting.
• Advanced computer literacy: MS Office, MS Project, data‑visualisation tools.
• Strong drafting, analytical and communication abilities.