Technical Advisor, Conflict, Peacebuilding, Early Warning and Response 218 views0 applications

t the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Department

Program Advancement (PADV) – Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The (Integrated) Program Advancement team contributes to this by: Delivering on our promise to global quality and impact via integrated programs; Growing & diversifying our global portfolio integrating the private, public and social sectors; Promoting our work globally to influence the private, public and social sectors.

Position Overview

Pact seeks a Technical Advisor to provide technical advice and direction on conflict management, peacebuilding, early warning and response systems strengthening project/s in Ethiopia. The Technical Advisor will support Pact’s Strengthening Institutions for Peace and Development (SIPED) II and Conflict Early Warning and Rapid Response (CEWRR) projects through ongoing analysis of evolving landscapes to inform program strategy and implementation; provision of guidance on capacity development support provided to the Government of Ethiopia in close partnership with the new Ministry of Peace; and ensuring conflict sensitivity and incorporation of a do-no-harm approach throughout project activities. He/she will contribute to ensuring successful functioning of project activities, development of technical tools and resources, annual work planning and budgeting, programmatic reporting, and sharing of insights and lessons learned with internal and external stakeholders, as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

Contextual Analysis and Strategy Development

· Monitor, analyze and contextualize ongoing intra- and inter-ethnic conflict, considering evolving political and economic dynamics through monthly contextual and situational analysis reports.

· Refine and/or provide input for revision into project strategies and activities based on regular analyses of conflict context through adaptive management.

· Provide expert assistance and thought leadership during key decision points.

· Ensure incorporation of conflict sensitivity and do-no-harm approaches in activities and engagements with local, regional and national stakeholders.

· Through rapid assessments and other short-term technical assistance, assist project teams in identifying geographic locations for expansion of programming.

• Where necessary, refine methodology for community-level conflict analyses and provide training and technical assistance to GoE and relevant stakeholders on its application.
• Provide technical guidance on tailoring interventions to community needs and context, adjusting as needed to changes in local dynamics;

· Collaborate with Pact Ethiopia’s and headquarters’ capacity development, peace & conflict mitigation and governance teams to leverage existing tools and resources and/or develop new tools and resources for the project/s.

· Conduct other relevant researches and writing identified according to the program’s evolving needs

External Engagement and Thought Leadership

· Support COP/DCOP in liaising with federal and regional authorities to maintain seamless coordination with projects and government entities.

· Donor relations and coordination

· Identify lessons learned, document and incorporate in implementation

· Proactively engage different levels of state and non-state actors on dialogue based on projects’ learnings; leverage and maintain Pact’s reputation as thought leader.

Program Management

• Participate regularly as one point of contact for Pact in the technical as well as steering committee meetings of the CEWRR at Ministry of Peace

· Make sure deliverables from third party contractors are delivered timely and with the necessary quality agreed upon

· Assist and support monitoring in collaboration with MERL team; document lessons and outcomes

Program Development

· Provide expert assistance and thought leadership to support Pact’s Horn of Africa regional strategy to identify promising practices and models for conflict and peace-building programming in Ethiopia and East Africa.

Basic Requirements

• Advanced degree in conflict prevention, management or resolution, political science, international law, international relations, democracy and governance, international development or related field.
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience of working at a senior level in one or a range of bilateral, multilateral, and non-governmental organizations, civil society, NGOs and/or implementing partners/ in fragile and conflict-affected states on issues related to conflict, stability, governance, and/or peace-building.
• Knowledge and practical experience including:
  • Development or implementation of an early warning rapid response mechanism in conflict or other relevant field (humanitarian, food security, climate, etc) in accordance with best practice;
  • Analysis of political systems and institutional dynamics, and assessment of their implications for relevant programming;
  • Role of non-state, community based and traditional security; community security/safety processes, methodologies, including the relationships and linkages between local level approaches and their potential for building trust and resolving conflict
  • Experience in countering violent extremism; understanding of role of traditional authorities and community based-security in countering violent extremism;
  • do-no-harm/conflict sensitivity, governance, including institutional development; integrated border management.
  • Gender mainstreaming and the role of women in peacebuilding, CVE, and early warning and response
  • Research and writing skills

Demonstrated technical experience in conflict, early warning and response, stabilization, including:

• Conflict analysis: analytical tools, methodologies, theory and practice, political economy analysis at national and subnational levels, power relations, political systems, formal and informal institutions
• Conflict prevention: systems strengthening and supporting state and non-state actors in promoting peaceful transformation; supporting country/state resilience and building state capacity;
• Conflict response: international conflict architecture and engagement/response processes and practices
• Conflict sensitivity: Application (and support/training of others to apply) of conflict sensitivity and do-no-harm approaches to strategies, country and individual programs and projects at all stages, including design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and risk management frameworks.

Required skills and qualifications:

• Knowledge and understanding of national and regional political dynamics in Ethiopia;
• Strong networks in Ethiopia and East Africa region and with international experts (practitioners, academics);
• Strong inter-personal, negotiating, decision-making, and problem solving skills
• Strong communication skills with diverse groups of stakeholders with different levels of seniority and ability to maintain and nurture relationships and key partnerships.
• Excellent people skills with the ability to develop others and to impart knowledge and experience in an accessible, clear, and respectful manner according to the stakeholder needs
• Demonstrated ability to manage politically-sensitive programs and situations.
• Excellent written and oral communications with relevant computer skills
• Ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams
• Fluency and proficiency in English; Amharic a plus

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience of working at a senior level in or for one or a range of bilateral, multilateral, and non-governmental organizations, civil society, NGOs and/or implementing partners/agents (including UN; regional institutions such as the EU and African Union; U.S. government).
• History of research and publications of high-quality, evidence-based pieces with focus on conflict-related issues and political economy analysis, preferably in East Africa region and/or Ethiopia.
• Proven track record of country expertise in Ethiopia or other fragile state.
• Proficient in English including writing; Amharic a plus]

Required Documents for Submission

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae

Additional Documentation

• Prior publications or writing sample on topics of conflict, stability, governance, and/or peace-building; situational analysis of conflict.

Pact provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.