Somalia: Global Armed Violence Reduction Advisor

Background

The Danish Demining Group (DDG) is a specialized unit within the Danish Refugee Council (DRC. DDG aims to position itself at the ‘cutting edge’ of human security programming. By working close with its parent organisation, DRC, the vision is one in which integrated Mine Action (MA), Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) and general recovery and development services can be offered to communities and donors and in support of (re)-building societies.

The DDG has during 2008-2010 developed Armed Violence Reduction as its 2nd strategic area of work, to supplement the 1st area of work Humanitarian Mine Action. This work has predominantly taken place in East Africa during this time period, based on the field-work conducted in Somaliland, Somalia, Uganda and Sudan but have since expanded into the Sahel and the Maghreb.

To ensure the further development and expansion of DDG’s Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) programmes and implementation of DDG’s AVR Strategic Work Plan, DDG is looking for a highly qualified AVR Advisor with focus on programme quality.

About the job

The AVR Advisor has the purpose of enabling DDG in realising and implementing the outputs set out in the AVR Strategic Work Plan under development in 2016.

Specifically, the AVR Advisor must support the development of new AVR concepts, services and project quality. Furthermore, the AVR Advisor must ensure that all current programmes implementing AVR projects have the necessary technical capacity to do so, and if not, build capacity through training, manual guideline development and conducting the necessary quality assurance.

In addition, the AVR Advisor must contribute to DDG’s efforts in researching, conducting feasibility studies and start-up preparation of new projects.

Finally, the AVR Advisor is required to assist in developing and disseminating communication about DDG and the Armed Violence Reduction work and results and guiding AVR research efforts.

Specific responsibilities

1. Strategy development (5%)

The AVR ADVISOR will support the on-going strategic development of AVR in DDG.

This includes:

· Further development of DDG’s AVR strategy and framework

· Supporting the DDG AVR Representative in development of the AVR strategic work plan and budget, and engage with DDG and DRC PMs and the DDG AVR representative to fundraise for that budget. This refers to A) internal funding for AVR positions and B) fundraising for new projects such as feasibility studies in new countries etc.)

2. Support and advisory to existing AVR projects and programmes (30%)

The AVR Advisor will support implementation in existing AVR programmes to ensure implementation is in accordance with DDG guidelines. This includes:

· Organizing and hosting an annual AVR operations meeting in coordination with the AVR Representative

· Setting up an information sharing system for AVR projects and programmes

· Conducting support visits to existing AVR projects and ensuring proper documentation including usage of proscribed methodology

· Provision of follow-up training, if required

· Provision of advice and technical guidance to AVR Project Managers in certain countries

· Coordination between AVR projects and programmes

3. Identify new opportunities for and facilitate startup of new AVR projects and programmes (50 %)

The AVR Advisor will contribute to expanding DDG’s AVR activities to new geographical areas and facilitate startup of new AVR projects and programmes. This includes:

· Feasibility studies in new countries, i.e. travel to selected countries and make a written assessment report with recommendations to DDG on whether a future AVR project would be feasible. This entails analysis of a number of factors, including but not limited to the level of armed violence, current initiatives, donor interest, national policies, and an assessment of the cost (time and money) an upstart of a programme would require.

· Supporting Project or Programme Managers in new projects/programmes in contextualizing AVR interventions and activities, making overall work plans, technical manuals and detailed activity budgets.

· Training of new international and national AVR staff.

4. Visibility and research (10%)

The AVR ADVISOR will assist in developing and disseminating communication about DDG and the Armed Violence Reduction work and results. This includes:

· Support to and QA of AVR related publications (e.g. research publications, articles, films/slideshows, leaflets, website updates etc.).

· Development of research projects to be outsourced (e.g. a comparative analysis of different conflict types in Somalia, Somaliland, Karamoja, Eastern Equatoria and Karamoja and the effect of DDG’s community driven AVR approach on the different conflict types). Research opportunities in the near future include a possible partnership with a Dutch Research Institution on crime, migration and smuggling in the Sahel as well as a number of research endeavours with Small Arms Survey.

5. Impact Monitoring (5%)

The AVR Advisor will alongside the DDG HQ focal point for Monitoring & Evaluation lead the process of completing and promoting a MA_AVR impact monitoring manual, including DDG standards for measuring beneficiaries.

Reporting

The AVR Advisor reports to the DDG AVR Representative (Global Specialist Lead for AVR) on all technical matters; and to the relevant programme managers regarding local issues or administrative matters during training programmes.

Qualifications

Required

· A postgraduate qualification in conflict prevention and management, international relations, peace studies, political science or related field;

· At least 5 years’ experience of working on issues related to stabilization, security system reform/policing, conflict management, small arms control, community-based approaches, youth-focused interventions and awareness raising;

· Capacity to advocate, liaise and coordinate with various actors in research endeavors.

· At least 5 years’ experience of project management including staff management and training;

· At least 5 years’ experience working in Project Design/Manual Development

· Excellent drafting and communication skills in English.

· A team player: able to demonstrate a constructive, cooperative and problem-solving approach;

· Experience of working in insecure environments and of security management;

· High degree of computer literacy; must be proficient in word, excel and PowerPoint

· Willing to live in shared team house.

Desirable

· Strong knowledge of French would be an advantage;

· Experience of working in complex and politically-sensitive contexts, and excellent political judgement; prior experience working with security providers, e.g. military, police, etc. as well as youth-at-risk would be an advantage

All employees should master DRC's core competencies: Communicating, Taking the lead, Collaborating, Striving for excellence and Demonstrating integrity.

We offer

Contract length: 2 years

Level: A12

Designation of Duty Station: Duty Station-Hargeisa, Somaliland, with very frequent travel to the DRC regional office in Nairobi and other countries. The position also requires significant out-of-country travels; up to 50%.

Start date: As soon as possible

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact James Stephenson at james.stephenson@drc.dk.

Please note that applications are not to be sent to individuals within DDG, but should be submitted by clicking the below “apply for position” button.

Application and CV

Only motivated applications in English that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.

Please forward application (letter of motivation) and CV, in English and marked “**Global AVR Advisor**”, no later than July 1^st, 2016

CV only applications will not be considered.

We do not operate with standard formats for applications or CVs.

Please apply here.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, humanitarian organisation covering all aspects of the refugee cause. Our aim is protection and promotion of durable solutions to refugee and displacement problems, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. We work on the basis of the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief, and the UN Conventions on Refugees.