Project Manager Competencies and Implementation of Counter-extremism Programs: a Case of Somali Youth Livelihoods Program in Mogadishu, Somalia

Abstract

Terrorism is perceived as the backyard of violent extremism and radicalization, especially of young men and women. Various initiatives and projects have been created and implemented to identify the fundamental causes of violent extremism through reintegration, rehabilitation, and the establishment of educational curricula. Others have concentrated on religious school monitoring and developing strategic communication methods to avoid recruiting and radicalization. Project managers are continuously pushed to deal with various issues to achieve unique outcomes while working with limited resources and meeting tight deadlines. Even though the public view of good people managers has changed away from the belief that they need managerial abilities, critical cross-functional team management skills are still being ignored, and little is being done to develop them. This study investigated the effect of the project manager's abilities on the implementation of anti-radicalization projects in Mogadishu, Somalia. In particular, it sought to determine the effect of leadership skill, specialized knowledge, qualified status and behavioural skill on the successful deployment of the aforementioned initiative. The theory of leadership guided the study. Descriptive research design was used in this research and a target of 110 program managers, program coordinators, program team leaders, and program assistants were involved from Somalia's youth livelihoods program in Mogadishu, Somalia. Due to the limited population, census was used. Consequently, 110 people in total took part in the study. The targeted individuals were asked to complete a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire in order to gather primary data. Secondary information was gathered through project management reports, the project management operating manual of the implementing organizations, and reports created by the institutions and organizations that fund and assist the Somalia counter-extremism programs in Mogadishu. Descriptive statistical analysis and inferential statistical analysis were conducted. It was found that leadership competencies, technical competencies, professional certification, and behavioural competencies had the most significant influence on implementing the counter-extremism program. The general regression exhibited a noteworthy beneficial association between the capacities of the project manager and the execution of counter-extremism activities (R2= 63.2%, F=38.197, and P-Value= 0.000). From the research recommendations, the government and other organizations operating counter-extremism initiatives in Mogadishu, Somalia, should provide staff with soft skill training to equip them with the knowledge and abilities required to carry out successful counter-extremism programs.