Puntland Senior Technical Advisor for PDP-4 Translation

The European Union – Somalia Technical Assistance and Partnership Facility (TAPF) is a five-year initiative designed to support the European Union Delegation (EUD) to Somalia’s engagement in, and cooperation with, the Federal Republic of Somalia, and to expedite progress towards achievement of the 2030 global Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

The project is being implemented through a service contract, signed between the EUD and DAI Global Belgium, and operates from DAIs offices in Mogadishu and Nairobi.

The project duration was initially scheduled to run for 36 months from 1st January 2024 until 31st December 2026, but this was subsequently extended to 31st December 2028.

The goal of the translation exercise will be:

• To enhance accessibility, ownership, and effective implementation of the Puntland Development Plan IV (2026–2030), through translation into Somali, publication, and dissemination, in printed and digital forms. 

The specific objectives of the initiative will be:

• To translate the 4th Puntland Development Plan from English into an accurate, professionally reviewed and culturally appropriate high-quality Somali language official document. 
• To conduct a subsequent technical review and validation, to ensure accuracy and consistency of Somali language terminology. 
• To design and publish a user-friendly version of the PDP-4 plan. 
• To print and distribute copies to key stakeholders at state ministry, regional and district administration levels. 
• To raise awareness of the plan, through dissemination workshops and digital platforms, by making document content accessible to Somali-speaking audiences.
• To contribute to the broader state goals of transparency, increased civic participation and inclusive governance, as articulated in the PDP-4 plan.

Translation of the Puntland PDP-4 into Somali is more than a technical exercise, it is a critical step toward strengthening inclusiveness, transparency, accessibility and local ownership of government development priorities and systems. 

Ensuring this key document is available in Somali language form will enhance community understanding and engagement, and will support broader participation in development planning, implementation, monitoring and accountability processes, thereby contributing to more effective, state and community-driven development outcomes.

The primary beneficiaries of this initiative will consist of a broad cross section of government, civil society and community groups across all regions of Puntland State, including:

• Line ministry staff at district and regional levels.
• District and regional administrators and local government officials.
• Members of local councils and traditional leadership structures.
• Civil society organisations, community-based organisations and women and youth groups.
• Frontline service delivery workers in health, education, agriculture, and other sectors.
• Religious leaders, Imams, and community educators.
• Entrepreneurs and the small business community.
• Citizens and communities across all regions and districts of Puntland State.

Assignment implementation will consist of the proposed work plan activities set out below.

• Recruitment of professional translators and editors (STAs and JNKEs). 
• Translation of the PDP-4 document into Somali. 
• Conducting a peer review (by sector experts). 
• Harmonising technical and development terminology. 
• Validating the translated documents, through referral to stakeholder technical working groups. 

• Graphic design and formatting of translated documents. 
• Preparation of print-ready electronic versions of translated documents. 
• Optional: preparation and production of summary and “popular” versions of the PDP-4 and development of infographics and communication materials. 

• Printing 50 hard copies of the PDP-4 document. 
• Generating digital and online versions of the document. 
• Distribution to ministries, House of Representatives, local government (elected councils), universities, civil society organisations, and development partners. 

• Organisation of launch and dissemination workshops. 
• Conducting awareness sessions with sector ministries and local government. 
• Engaging with universities and with civil society organisations. 
• Promoting the Plan through media and digital platforms. 

Component 2, 3 and 4 activities will be undertaken by MoPEDIC, MoCII and other MDA, and TAPF full-time staff, and do not constitute a part of this assignment.

The Senior Technical Advisor for Translation of the 4th Puntland Development Plan (PDP-4) from English into the Somali Language should possess the following qualifications and experience:

• A university degree (a master’s is preferred but not required) in one of the following fields: Public Policy or Strategic Policy Development, Curriculum Development, Tertiary-level Teaching, Project Management, Business Administration or Management, Information Technology, Linguistics, or a related field. 
• Eight (8) or more years of practical work experience in a senior advisory or management capacity, as a consultant with an international development organisation, private sector company, non-governmental organisation or government institution, such as a state university or college, including at least two (2) previous assignments as a policy developer or planner, preparing policy documents and / or institutional plans. 
• Previous work experience as a TA or CTA (technical assistant / chief technical advisor), embedded within a host government department, leading development programmes, and / or drafting policies, planning documents or training programmes / curricula. 
• Previous experience (in at least one (1) major work assignment) of document translation, inclusive in-depth knowledge of, and familiarity with, relevant information technology software and platforms. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and spoken / verbal communication skills, in both English and Somali.
• Strong organisational and analytical skills and ability to work to a timetable and deadline.
• Extensive knowledge of the local (Somali) development context, particularly in Puntland State, and the current “development” situation, as defined in the 4th Puntland State Development Plan.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and to manage timetable-related stress.

Start date and duration: The role is expected to commence in ASAP (subject to continued need and resource availability) and to be implemented as a single, continuous assignment, counting from the date of first deployment of the expert.  

Inputs: A maximum of twelve (12) working days, delivered over an indicative period of approximately two (2) calendar months (subject to operating conditions).