Research Fellow, Mercy Corps, Inter-Religious Peacebuilding in Northern Nigeria, DC Based
This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in the field(s) of international development, monitoring and evaluation, conflict management and/or peacebuilding initiatives to work closely with experienced staff while getting hands-on field experience.
Position Description
Position Title: Inter-Religious Peacebuilding in Northern Nigeria (IPNN) Research Fellow
Duty Station: Washington, D.C.
Position Category: Full-time Part-time AND Regular Temporary
Duration: 18 Months
Application Process: Please submit CVs and Cover Letter by February 1, 2013
Program/Department Summary:
Mercy Corps works almost exclusively in high‐risk conflict and post‐conflict environments. We currently have programs in more than 40 countries; the vast majority of these fall into the category of fragile or critically weak states. While we recognize that these are difficult places to operate, we believe that transitional environments – countries affected by civil wars, economic and political crisis, or natural disasters – also offer tremendous opportunities for positive change.
Helping people find ways to break the cycle of violence and promote peaceful change is at the heart of Mercy Corps’ mandate. Mercy Corps’ Youth and Conflict Management team is responsible for helping Mercy Corps’ field offices design and implement programs in a broad range of conflict and post‐conflict settings. We currently support over 40 conflict management and peacebuilding programs world‐wide. Our approach is built on three core foundations. First, we work with local leaders and communities in conflict‐affected societies to help them gain the tools and skills they need to re‐establish trust, rebuild
relationships, and talk about the difficult issues that have led to violence. Second, we help our local partners implement development programs that address the underlying issues that are fuelling violence, whether competition over access to land or water, youth unemployment and alienation, or political and economic discrimination. Third, we actively seek to measure the impact of our programs, learn which approaches work (and which do not), and disseminate our findings to the broader development and policy community.
General Position Summary:
The Research Fellow will work closely with the Director of the Youth and Conflict Management team and the Nigeria field team to assist in the implementation of a grant received from the GHR Foundation, entitled Inter‐Religious Peacebuilding in Northern Nigeria (IPNN). The IPNN project will strategically build on a three‐year DFID‐funded program that aims to resolve pastoralist/farmer conflict in Northern Nigeria. The DFID project will: 1) strengthen the capacity of local leaders to resolve conflicts through negotiation training and mentoring in dispute resolution; 2) support the sustainability of dispute resolution through joint economic and natural resource initiatives; and 3) raise awareness of the economic costs of conflict and promote long‐term policy solutions through research and advocacy.
IPNN will be implemented together with this DFID grant as a single, coherent program. However, it will explore the inter‐faith dimensions more closely. Specifically, IPNN will: 1) deepen the program’s interfaith activities by supporting 50 religious leaders to discuss religious tolerance and implement faithbased peacebuilding activities in their communities; 2) support rigorous evaluation of the role of religion in peacebuilding in northern Nigeria and the impact of interfaith activities on peacebuilding outcomes;and 3) broadly disseminate the program’s findings to policy makers and practitioners. The IPNN Research Fellow will be responsible for monitoring and evaluation activities under IPNN and all related outreach efforts to donors and policy audiences.
Specifically, the Research Fellow will:
1. Conduct an assessment of religious dynamics, leaders, and tensions in northern Nigeria.
2. Work with the Director of Y‐CM, the Nigeria field team, and a board of advisors in Nigeria to refine research questions and develop appropriate research design and data collection tools
3. Participate in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis on the impact of IPNN.
4. Write up quarterly reports to the donor.
5. Assist in the development of fact sheets and success stories
6. Write up final research results.
7. Create an interactive map of peacebuilding projects in Nigeria
8. Help organize donor meetings and other public events related to disseminating research results programs.
9. Other tasks, as requested.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Excellent quantitative and qualitative research and analysis skills, including strong knowledge of statistics.
- Excellent writing and computer skills required
- Excellent organizational abilities required.
Success Factors:
A successful candidate for this position will be highly motivated and interested in helping create a body of information about Mercy Corps conflict programs that will be used for years to come. Candidates must be creative, self‐motivated and capable of working in a situation where the supervisor may be traveling frequently. This position will require frequent travel to the field and a successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the ability to work in developing countries and less secure environments.
Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency‐wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non‐formal professional learning activities.
Supervisory Responsibility:
This position currently holds no supervisory responsibility.
Works Directly With:
Director, Mercy Corps Youth & Conflict Management Team
Nigeria field team, members TBD
Living Conditions:
The Fellow will be based in Washington, D.C. and will travel periodically to field locations in Nigeria. Mercy Corps’ head office in Nigeria is in Abuja where security is generally good although petty crime can be a problem. Housing, health care, water, electricity and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are good international and domestic travel options from Abuja Airport. Access to field sites can be restricted based on security constraints.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in‐country venues.
Application Process
Those interested in this fellowship should submit a resume and a statement of interest to Mercy Corps’ Metrics and Internship Officer at internship(at)mercycorps.org by February 1, 2013. In your statement, you are encouraged to discuss any experiences directly relevant to the projects outlined. You may wish to describe your career interests (specifically as they relate to conflict management, peacebuilding, or development) and discuss your previous work and educational experiences demonstrating these interests.
DEADLINE: February 1, 2013
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Investigator, Global Witness, Democratic Republic of Congo, London Based
Global Witness is a dynamic international organisation that campaigns to prevent natural resource-related conflict and corruption and associated environmental and human rights abuses. We collect irrefutable evidence through our investigations and combine it with powerful advocacy to force change.
Global Witness is looking to hire an investigator for an exciting project for up to 23 months, starting earliest February 2013 and ending 31 December 2014, based at its London office. Applicants must have strong experience as a journalist or researcher and good French. Salary will be competitive.
For full details about this vacancy, download the Investigator, Democratic Republic of Congo application pack here.
For this vacancy only shortlisted candidates will be contacted after the closing date of 15th January 2013.
Vital Voices is seeking applications for the VVLead Fellowship Program from women leaders who are committed to tackling issues related to economic disparities, violence against women and harmful cultural practices — with particular focus on forced/early marriage — in order to create a more prosperous and secure world. Knowing that this work will take many forms, leaders may be engaged in this change through work in a variety of fields including business, non-profit/non-governmental organization, public office/government (elected or appointed), advocacy initiative or community-based organization.
Eligible applicants must be: 18 years or older; living and working for change in a developing country; demonstrating high-impact; and actively committed to the progress of their cause on a full-time basis.
How to apply?
To apply for the VVLead Fellowship Program, please fill out the online application. The application process should take between 45-60 minutes to complete.
Additional information:
Please contact Emma Hersh (EmmaHersh(at)vitalvoices.org), Program Manager for the Global Leadership Network, with any questions or comments about the program.
DEADLINE: January 14, 2013
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Reintegration Technical Advisor, UNDP, Côte d’Ivoire
Under the authority of UNDP Resident Representative/Resident Coordinator and the supervision of the Country Director and the Deputy Country Director for Programme, the Senior Reintegration Technical Advisor will work in straight collaboration with the Senior CPR Advisor and the Poverty Unit Chief in order to enable UNDP to support to ADDR for the translation of the “Lettre de Politique DDR” into a national DDR strategy and action plan, with focus on sustainable reintegration and in close co-ordination with UNOCI DDR team and other development partners. He/Her will be posted at ADDR.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- In collaboration with the ADDR as well as UNDP the Country Office programme, external partners and stakeholders, including the national counterpart, local authorities, bilateral partners, World Bank European Union, and CSOs, identify entry points and develop concrete strategies and activities for strengthening reintegration through community recovery, and community security;
- In collaboration with the ADDR and under the leadership of the Reintegration Team Leader, assist in working out transitional strategy from the short-term support of the ADDR reintegration process to medium and long term development support within a broad framework of inclusive community-based recovery process;
- Support the UN presence in developing a cross UN strategy and approach regarding its engagement in DDR including addressing division of labour issues. (BCPR-DDR with UNOCI DDR), and participate in the various workshops on DDR/SSR for the formulation of the criteria and procedures for the reintegration of the former combatants through community recovery support.
- Establish the action plan, including activities, targets, budget, standards for measuring progress and results and determine the processes, tools and methodologies to be used to ensure effective and efficient programme implementation and operations. Monitor progress and identify risks for timely action and early reso
lution. - Provide authoritative advice and technical guidance on DDR programme implementation and delivery. Initiate strategic discussions and contribute to senior level government debate to advocate and promote organizational issues, and agenda. Advise ADDR and UNDP senior managements on the direction, strategies and technical issues of the programme.
- Maintain dialogue with partners and stakeholders to advocate, promote and advance organizational issues, priorities, interests and competencies for a successful programme planning and implementation.
- Contribute to the development of a strategy and plan of action for resource mobilization to achieve optimum interests and funding.
- Contribute to any task that can be assigned by ADDR in consultation with UNDP CO related to reintegration
The key results of the Senior Reintegration Technical Advisor must have an impact on the national reintegration.
COMPETENCIES
- Show integrity by putting forward the values and morals of the United Nations
- Show flexibility and adaptation to differences related to culture, gender, religion, race, nationality and age.
- Good knowledge of the country and/or region of assignment, including the political, economic and social dimensions, and their relation to the main engines of instability and conflict.
- Sound knowledge and exposure to a wide range of post-conflict, peacebuilding, good governance, human rights and development-related issues.
- Ability to lead strategic planning, and results-based management.
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
- Ability to advocate and provide timely policy advice.
- Ability to identify issues and to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems.
- Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government required.
- Excellent interpersonal skills are essential part of the job. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, for effective advocacy and influence on policy makers.
- Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme.
- Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to reintegration, recovery and development issues, peace and security and sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN system.
- Ability to analyze is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.
- Ability to develop a strategic planning, the management based on achievement and reporting
- Ability to formulate, implement and ensure the monitoring and the evaluation of projects / programs of development and resources mobilization
- Develop strong relationships with customers, focus on results for the customer, respond positively to the feedback
- Develop a work approach with energy and a positive and constructive attitude. Ability to implement new systems and have a positive impact on the change of the staff attitude
- Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style.
- Ability to plan own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.
- Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications.
- Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations.
- Very strong leadership capacities to work in a multi-cultural team in difficult circumstances. Demonstrates openness to the change of ability to manage complex situations.
- An advanced university degree in any of the following: Economics, political science, sociology, international relations, public administration, development studies or other relevant fields
- At least 10 years of relevant experience, including working directly in post-conflict environments;
- Demonstrated practical experience in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration at the senior management level is essential;
- Solid experience in the design and implementation of successful DDR programme
- Proven capacity for technical and advisory function at a senior level at government or the UN agencies and in a complex transitional and politically sensitive environment
- Having worked in West Africa is an advantage
- Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work
- Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct
- Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references
Compete for Cash, Distribution and Recognition
Our esteemed judges will select winning apps in four categories. Each category winner will:
- Compete for $10,000 in prizes
- Have your app pre-loaded onto thousands of devices for global distribution on the Ubislate series of tablet and at the BluWorld portal
- Receive up to 20 tablets for user testing and app development
- Receive global recognition from partners and sponsors including publication of your app deployment story
About Us
The Global Apps to Empower contest is organized by Agnite Education, American Digital University, Applications for Good, BluWorld, Cat in Woods, Datawind, Equal Access International and the United Nations Office for Partnerships.
DEADLINE: April 30, 2013