Mercy Corps runs a Conflict Prevention and Resolution Program in three regions within Ethiopia: SNNP, Oromiya and Somali. This program seeks to build capacities to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts, and to implement development and humanitarian programs in ways which reduce tensions and promote peaceful relationships.

Mercy Corps is also a strong advocate and supporter for integrated programming which combines humanitarian, developmental and peace building efforts in order to address the varied challenges and crises faced by local communities to achieve more lasting change. Due to its promotion of this approach, and vast experience gained from its CPR programming, Mercy Corps has been identified as a technical lead for integrating conflict management and sensitivity programming within the Pastoral Livelihood Initiative II, a consortium-based livelihood program being run across Ethiopia.

Program Description

In order to fulfil this mandate Mercy Corps is seeking to hire a Peace building specialist to work on the PLI II project, working closely with the Assistant Country Director and Conflict Prevention and Resolution Program’s Chief of Party. The specialist will work to strengthen the capacity of consortium members in peace building and in conflict sensitive programming. S/he will bring technical expertise, new learning and best practice into the consortium, to support the development of innovative programs and strategies, which ensure that conflict sensitivity and analysis are mainstreamed into activities and organisations; and which support communities’ capacities to peacefully manage conflicts.

Specific Responsibilities of the Peace Building Specialist:

- Work with the PLI II consortium partners (SCUS, Care, SCUK, IRC and Mercy Corps) to promote and lead on integrated conflict sensitive programming amongst pastoralist communities in Ethiopia.

- Support an initial start up work shop with all consortium members to discuss the links between conflict and livelihoods. This workshop will analyze the types of conflict occurring in program areas, and consider the connections to livelihood insecurity and the potential for livelihood-based programs to address them. It will discuss theories of change and best practices for both mainstreaming conflict sensitivity / resolution into livelihood programs, and for planning livelihood interventions with specific peace building objectives.

- Facilitate TOT style training in conflict analysis, prevention and resolution to identify focal persons from consortium partner organisations, to raise awareness and knowledge on key issues, concepts. Continue to work with these focal persons to support the dissemination of knowledge and skills within their program teams and to initiate reflection processes which consider the opportunities and challenges of integrating peace building/conflict sensitive approaches within programs.

- Conduct and support peace and conflict analysis and mappings within partner program areas which uncover the underlying causes, actors and dynamics of local conflicts, and provide support in developing programs which respond to the findings.

- Facilitate the production of annotated Conflict maps from consortium member’s operational areas, in collaboration with IRC.

- Ensure and facilitate regular monitoring, and project impact assessments which capture the learning from within partner programs.

- Compile success stories and learning into briefings/papers to strengthen the collation of best practice in ‘holistic’ peace building and livelihood programming.

- Conduct a technical review workshop at the end of 18 months to review the program partners’ experiences in integrating livelihood and peace building programs.

- Provide Do No Harm capacity support to consortium members to introduce the concepts and tools of conflict sensitive programming, followed by context-specific technical support to consortium members to help them develop the analysis, checklists and systems required to mainstream DNH approaches into programs.

- Work with SCUK to develop peace and risk indicators for inclusion in the Early Warning system.

- Support Mercy Corps PLI II team in modelling holistic programming through linking livelihood and development programming with the CPR program in the same area.

- Provide leadership and technical support to the Somali PLI program: another joint venture which seeks to promote integrated programming in partnership with SCUS

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Assistant Country Director, PLI II teams and consortium partners, all CPR staff, Somali regional government

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

- Masters degree in peace building, conflict management, or other relevant subject strongly preferred.
- Substantial previous experience in delivering and designing peace building projects.
- Proven high level of knowledge and experience in peace building and conflict sensitivity.
- Strong training background, in both design and delivery.
- Proven experience conducting analyses in complex environments.
- Experience working with and coordinating with international and national NGOs and government agencies.
- Willingness to spend considerable time visiting program activities throughout Ethiopia.
- 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, and make rational decisions while working remotely.
- Strong contextual knowledge of the causes and impacts of local conflicts in Ethiopia and/or Africa, and the efforts ongoing to build peace and security.
- Ability to link to Mercy Corps’ Technical Support Unit (TSU) and with other Peace Building actors to encourage open communication and take advantage of relevant resources.
- Ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and work styles.
- Strong writing skills and the ability to present clear arguments and analyses.
- High motivation, initiative, and adaptability.
- An ability to work successfully in remote and challenging settings with limited resources.

Living / Environmental Conditions:

This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia but will require extensive travel to various PLI partner program sites. Internet connectivity and communication across Ethiopia is improving but remains unreliable at times. Addis Ababa offers numerous international style restaurants, though security and cultural considerations are always to be taken into account. There are daily flights from Addis Ababa to several European, Middle Eastern and African cities.

Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.

How to apply

This position is available initially for 18 months.

Reference Code: RW_7STCUD-40

Source: Mercy Corps