Technical Advisor in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolutions

BACKGROUND

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), founded in the United States in 1933, is one of the world’s leading international non-governmental organizations providing relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement and advocacy for people affected by crises. IRC’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are destroyed by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and take control of their future.

In Côte d’Ivoire since 2003, the IRC opened has helped the Ivorian population in the early hours of the political crisis. The IRC carries out its activities in close collaboration with civil society organizations, local authorities and the beneficiary populations. The IRC is present in Côte d’Ivoire to respond to humanitarian and development needs, particularly targeting those most vulnerable. The IRC works to defend and promote essential rights and fundamental freedoms through six outcomes: Health, Gender Inequality Reduction, Security (protection of rights), Power (of decision), Education and Economic Well-being. To this end, the IRC has developed in Côte d’Ivoire, within the framework of its 2015-2020 strategic plan, multisectoral community-based activities in the following areas: economic recovery and development; primary health, including child and obstetric health; access to water, hygiene and sanitation; the fight against infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS; the protection of girls, women and the fight against gender-based violence (GBV); and education and child protection; the promotion of human rights and social cohesion; good governance and strengthening of civil society.

The IRC is recognized for its work in the humanitarian-development nexus, and for its collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The IRC has been selected as the implementing agency for several USAID projects – including Nigeria Opportunities to Learn (OTL) – a $17m education activity, USAID research and education (RETO) activity for the Norther triangle in Central America, and a $32 million community health project in Liberia.

As part of these governance and civil society strengthening interventions, the IRC is planning to implement a project called « Ensemble Soutenons la Paix et Œuvrons pour l’Inclusion et la Réconciliation (ESPOIR) », to be funded by USAID.

This project aims to reduce the likelihood of inter-communal violence by building trust between groups and strengthening the resilience of women and youth in localities in the south (Dabou, Bonoua), centre (Daoukro, Toumodi, Botro, Sikensi) and east (Bongouanou, M’batto, Bocanda, Prikro and M’bahiakro). This project will be implemented over a period of 4 years with an expected start in December 2022.

SCOPE OF WORK

The IRC is seeking a Technical Advisor in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution to provide technical and operational support to the project, under the supervision of the Chief of Party. He/she will be responsible for ensuring that the proposed project is technically implemented in accordance with the cooperation agreement, USAID rules and regulations, and internationally recognized quality standards. He/she will ensure that the project adequately addresses the needs of the targeted individuals and communities in the most effective manner possible. The successful candidate will also ensure that the project activities are coordinated and aligned with other initiatives in the target area. The project technical advisor will also be supported by the Governance Technical Unit and the Violence Prevention and Response Technical Unit to ensure effective and contextually appropriate project design and implementation.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides leadership and strategic direction, defines and implements activities in accordance with the cooperation agreement in order to achieve the greatest possible coverage and impact;
• Develops and reviews, with the support of key project staff, the project strategy, work plan and annual performance plan;
• Manages the overall project and closely monitors implementation to ensure that all activities are delivered according to plan, and where there are delays or problems actions to remedy them are identified and implemented;
• Works with all staff and partners to identify key technical and organizational assistance needs and ensures adequate planning and implementation of this assistance;
• Supervises technical staff, and evaluates their performance;
• Maintains strong collaboration with partner organizations, government representatives and IRC colleagues and managers;
• Manages external relations by representing the project and the organization in public forums and ensures dissemination of project achievements and lessons learned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• He/she will be a human rights expert with significant past experience in the implementation of these technical disciplines in conflict contexts; and preferably in peacebuilding contexts (programme implementation or research).
• Postgraduate degree in social sciences, conflict management, political science, international development, business administration, or similar discipline;
• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in the management and implementation of peacebuilding and conflict management projects.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, and experience in managing staff in conflict areas;
• Demonstrated skills in working with local communities, civil society organisations, government officials, donors and other stakeholders;
• Demonstrated experience in organisational and staff capacity building, including of local civil society organisations;
• Strong experience in participatory community development programming or other participatory development approaches;
• Strong knowledge of contextual and conflict analysis methods;
• Good diplomatic and negotiation skills;
• Previous experience in USAID-funded program management, preferably in the implementation of people-to-people projects.
• Experience in implementing gender-responsive programming;
• Strong computer skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, Outlook);
• Strong verbal and written skills in French and English.

IRC, FROM HARM TO HOME

The IRC is an organization that is committed to compliance with non-discrimination legislation in employment. The IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.