the back burner

good reminder from world relief

Today I found a job description for an opening World Relief has in the Darfur region of Sudan. (I started with a link from Russ Mask to another opening ielsewhere and then link led to link...) The job description had a nice final line: "Working hours will be structured in light of the prevailing emergency situation being addressed, and may be unsociable at times."

Unsociable. Got it.

The latest things to rise to the top of my jumbled-up life are applications to masters programs in the fields of social work and counseling. Since they're tending to stay there, I've been tending to think about where those roads might lead. For some odd reason, the websites of the schools under consideration always mention teaching, lobbying, or professional counseling as career options.

They don't often mention international peacemaking, grassroots urban renewal, or third world development. Weird, eh? To read the full description, see the extended entry.

Job Description:

BACKGROUND:
World Relief has been working in Darfur for over three years in a volatile and complex operational environment, addressing humanitarian needs amongst displaced and vulnerable communities. The program managers recognize that, underlying the humanitarian situation with which they are dealing, there are a number of inter clan and inter-tribal conflicts that impact activities and relationships on the ground, and amongst their own team members. These conflicts have numerous sources and origins, many of which are outside of the programs direct control. Nevertheless, such is the scope of the conflict in the region that World Relief feels it must support its communities, where possible, to address these issues and contribute to their resolution.

GENERAL FUNCTION:
World Relief is seeking to address these challenges by engaging an appropriate individual to lead peace building initiatives within the Darfur program.

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES:
• Design a peace building initiative which would integrate with existing sector programming to ensure that peace building, as an approach, was taken into consideration in all humanitarian aspects of the program;
• Proactively and systematically train all existing WR Darfur staff, expatriate and local, in peace building skills and awareness, to enable them to view their work through a peace ‘lens’;
• Reach out to community and tribal leaders through seminars and workshops to educate and train on activities that would build toward improved peace and security across tribal and ethnic lines within the project area;
• Document the process and outcomes of peace building activities, including providing inputs for monthly, quarterly and annual reports;
• Develop and manage the budget associated with peace building activities;
• Support proposal development with peace building perspectives and input;
• Manage local staff dedicated to peace building activities (tbd).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• Minimum of an advanced degree in the field of development, social sciences, or peace studies, or an established record in the field of peace and reconciliation activities
• Successful candidate should have prior work history within a complex ethnic environment
• Knowledge of African peace and conflict issues preferred
• Working knowledge of Arabic
• Ability to work independently and engage in creative problem solving
• Excellent communications skills
• Previous experience conducting training is preferred.
• Ability to exhibit exemplary life style as interpreted in specific local culture context
• Able to work in a fluid and insecure area; maturity and ability to adjust to harsh living conditions
• Familiarity with project cycle management
• Strong planning and organizational skills; good ability in project planning and design
• Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Proposal and project report writing skills
• Ability to manage budgets

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The peace building coordinator will serve as a vital member of the Darfur team. The position is based in El Geneina with frequent travel to World Relief’s operational areas. Accommodation in the team compound is provided, along with meals. The position will be expected to take regular R&R breaks from the position.

Darfur is a challenging work environment, so it is expected that the successful candidate will be comfortable working in a dry, hot, climate. Further, the operating environment is extremely volatile, with security restrictions in force. Working hours will be structured in light of the prevailing emergency situation being addressed, and may be unsociable at times.

Posted by nickles at November 5, 2007 05:37 PM | TrackBack