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Senior Peace Building Specialist-Ethiopia (186341-927)
Source: Mercy Corps
Recruiter
| Deadline: | 21 Sep 2008 |
| Organisation: | Mercy Corps |
| Location: | Ethiopia |
| Type: | permanent |
| Salary: | TBA (000's USD) |
| Description: | PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
The Mercy Corps Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR) Program in the Regions of SNNPR, Somali and Oromiya is tasked with: 1) Strengthening existing capacity of key stakeholders to analyze report on, manage, and prevent conflict; 2) Increasing involvement of civil society and increasing the levels and effectiveness of collaboration between civil society actors and government in order to address conflicts; 3) Strengthening institutional capacity of both formal and informal structures to carry out conflict resolution and prevention initiatives. As the CPR Program has expanded into Somali/Oromiya Regions, new activities will seek to improve efforts by government and civil society partnerships to understand potential and actual conflicts and devise and implement joint response interventions by focusing on local conflict within and across the administrative boundaries. The Mercy Corps CPR program activities are built on the principle that local actors are the most appropriate and effective agents for preventing and resolving conflicts. The program approach is also structured to provide comprehensive skill building; to enhance the capacity of existing structures; to ensure the full, meaningful and synergistic engagement of all stakeholders; to support locally-tailored interventions; and to actively collaborate and coordinate with other agencies. d resolving conflicts. The program approach is also structured to provide comprehensive skill building; to enhance the capacity of existing structures; to ensure the full, meaningful and synergistic engagement of all stakeholders; to support locally-tailored interventions; and to actively collaborate and coordinate with other agencies. GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: Working in the CPR Unit under the direction of the Country Director, the Senior Peace Building Specialist is responsible for the management of all Mercy Corps - Ethiopia Conflict Prevention and Resolution Programs. Beyond programmatic functions, the Senior Peace Building Specialist is also responsible for tracking sub-grants and ensuring compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps' internal policies and procedures. The Senior Peace Building Specialist will directly manage two Project Managers based in Awassa and Jijiga, and will work closely with them to ensure timely, quality and coordinated implementation of activities. The level of oversight will require substantial time in the field (70%). He/she will also develop future strategy for the program and ensure that it continues to meet USAID requirements and standards. The position will also be responsible for primary donor communication, including submission of narrative reports as required. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 1. Conceptualize, implement and monitor strategic dialogues and project interventions to respond to immediate challenges to sustainable peace in Ethiopia; 2. Manage the Conflict Prevention & Resolution Program in SNNPR and Somali/Oromiya regions, and oversee all program activities in cooperation with staff trainers, local governance institutions, CBO partners, traditional peace authorities, and other key peace actors. 3. Explore opportunities to further develop the program through a University resource or training center and coordinating with other NGOs on conflict related early warning; 4. Liaise with other INGOs/CBOs doing complimentary peace building programs (or related programs such as DRR) and peace advocacy by participating in various networks to develop potential joint initiatives; 5. Lead various conflict assessments to identify key areas of concern between various stakeholders within the regions and develop key programmatic interventions based on the analysis; 6. Support key dialogue meetings and workshops with the help of Mercy Corps Project Managers; 7. Supervise the activities and performance of the CPR Field Teams; 8. Report on all activities to the Mercy Corps Country Director on a regular basis; 9. Periodically coordinate with the Mercy Corps Project Managers, Country Director and USAID to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation and joint monitoring of CPR interventions. 10. Support the maintenance of systems of communication, monitoring, support, training and accountability between Awassa/Jijiga and each intervention site in the respective regions, ensuring consistency. 11. Ensure that the capacity and technical competence of all CPR staff is maintained and improved by periodic reviews, coordinated training, peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and support, and other forms of staff capacity-building; 12. Facilitate opportunities for CPR staff to be an active part in shared innovation and program visioning; 13. Coordinate with the Mercy Corps Addis management team to timetable and prepare for capacity building trainings in an effective and timely manner; 14. Ensure that project performance is evaluated effectively, including coordinating internal and external performance review; 15. Monitor project spending on a monthly basis; ensure that the program spends within budget at all times, and report any anomalies in a timely manner; 16. Represent Mercy Corps at program coordination meetings in Addis and at the field sites; 17. Develop and maintain constructive relationships between Mercy Corps Support Office, Ethiopian authorities and partners at the field level; 18. Communicate any security concerns and relay security regulations to subordinate staff; 19. Other duties as assigned. rkshops with the help of Mercy Corps Project Managers; 7. Supervise the activities and performance of the CPR Field Teams; 8. Report on all activities to the Mercy Corps Country Director on a regular basis; 9. Periodically coordinate with the Mercy Corps Project Managers, Country Director and USAID to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation and joint monitoring of CPR interventions. 10. Support the maintenance of systems of communication, monitoring, support, training and accountability between Awassa/Jijiga and each intervention site in the respective regions, ensuring consistency. 11. Ensure that the capacity and technical competence of all CPR staff is maintained and improved by periodic reviews, coordinated training, peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and support, and other forms of staff capacity-building; 12. Facilitate opportunities for CPR staff to be an active part in shared innovation and program visioning; 13. Coordinate with the Mercy Corps Addis management team to timetable and prepare for capacity building trainings in an effective and timely manner; 14. Ensure that project performance is evaluated effectively, including coordinating internal and external performance review; 15. Monitor project spending on a monthly basis; ensure that the program spends within budget at all times, and report any anomalies in a timely manner; 16. Represent Mercy Corps at program coordination meetings in Addis and at the field sites; 17. Develop and maintain constructive relationships between Mercy Corps Support Office, Ethiopian authorities and partners at the field level; 18. Communicate any security concerns and relay security regulations to subordinate staff; 19. Other duties as assigned. r capacity building trainings in an effective and timely manner; 14. Ensure that project performance is evaluated effectively, including coordinating internal and external performance review; 15. Monitor project spending on a monthly basis; ensure that the program spends within budget at all times, and report any anomalies in a timely manner; 16. Represent Mercy Corps at program coordination meetings in Addis and at the field sites; 17. Develop and maintain constructive relationships between Mercy Corps Support Office, Ethiopian authorities and partners at the field level; 18. Communicate any security concerns and relay security regulations to subordinate staff; 19. Other duties as assigned. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Will have direct supervisory responsibility for CPR Project Managers based in Awassa (SNNPR) and Jijiga (Somali). Indirectly responsible for all CPR staff within the three operational regions. REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Deputy Director, Finance Manager, Operations Manager, CPR Project Managers KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Masters degree in international affairs, conflict mitigation, or relevant subject. Previous experience in community-based capacity development projects in relief and/or post-conflict settings (preferably augmented with experience in community mobilization and civil society development). Proven high level of interest in and knowledge of a combination of the following (preferably in the Ethiopian context): Conflict Management and Civil Society, especially with related expertise in training, mentorship and support. Strong understanding of traditional authorities, and other peace actors in Ethiopia and the organizational and political challenges that exist. Experience in working with and coordinating with international and national NGOs and government agencies. Proven program leadership, management, project planning, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. Willingness to spend considerable time visiting program activities throughout the two region. Experience working in unstable or conflict areas and willingness to work in very remote areas with limited services and amenities. Experience working in unstable or conflict areas and willingness to work in very remote areas with limited services and amenities. SUCCESS FACTORS: Demonstrated ability to communicate, take direction, assume leadership, and make rational decisions while working remotely from country leadership Effective communication and team-building techniques Ability to link to Mercy Corps' Technical Support Unit (TSU) to encourage open communication and take advantage of relevant resources (Communities of Practice). Ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and work styles High motivation, initiative, and adaptability An ability to work successfully in remote and challenging settings with limited resources Strong contextual knowledge of the local effects of in-country Ethiopia cross-border conflict as well as conflict in neighboring countries Strong diplomacy skills in managing Mercy Corps' CPR staff and stakeholders with different backgrounds, abilities, and technical knowledge. Please apply online directly at: http://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epostings/jobs/submit.cfm?fuseaction=dspjob&jobid=186341&company_id=15927&jobboardid=1335 |
