Location: Canada (Montreal, Québec)
Closing date: 01 Apr 2008
Job Description

The International Bureau for Children’s Rights (IBCR) is seeking a qualified and experienced Project Manager to join the team working on the Country Profiles to research, analyse and report on the status of implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in assigned countries of the Great Lakes in Africa.

IBCR will soon begin a project pertaining to the efforts of four central African countries (Burundi, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda) to uphold their commitments towards the rights of the child as agreed to before the international community. This monitoring project documents the actions taken by each of the four countries towards respecting children’s rights, especially regarding the application of the Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and undertakes to analyse this process in the regional context. It also gives recognition to the best practices from the region and shares this knowledge with all stakeholders, in particular with decision makers, individuals and structures responsible for promoting the rights of the child. Conscious of the instability of the region and of its pressing need to protect and promote the rights of the child, the Bureau seeks to facilitate dialogue between actors within each country and in the region using as a common ground the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The content of the four country profiles will serve as the basis of a four-day seminar where approximately 40 participants will convene in Brazzaville to further learn about measures being applied in other countries of that region. This event will bring together key actors accountable for the well-being of children in the region and will develop their competencies in child participation. The seminar will also allow the sharing of analyses and promote dialogue between civil society and governmental bodies in order to influence decisions to favour the full implementation of international obligations for all children of the region, including children vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, children affected by armed conflicts, child victims of violence and child victims of sexual exploitation.
Qualifications and competences

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate most of the following qualifications and competences:
- Good knowledge of and exposure to a range of human/children’s rights issues and international relations dynamics;
- Experience and knowledge of current challenges and dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Strong research and analytical skills, ability to apply monitoring and evaluation techniques related to human/children’s rights, including data collection and management, analyses and publication of solid reports;
- Proven ability to establish and maintain effective networks including governmental representatives, international organisations and NGOs, to work in collaboration with various actors having competing agendas, to maintain contact with many actors in several countries, to cooperate with governments on matters related to good practices and the promotion and protection of the rights of the child, and to facilitate collaboration between stakeholders;
- Experience in integrating meaningful child participation in research, programmes and activities.
- Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing, in spite of geographic and cultural distances;
- Ability to work with minimum supervision, establish priorities, plan work assignments, and meet deadlines;
- Highly motivated, sense of leadership and supervisions skills to guide the work of experts, partners, interns and volunteers;
- Professional judgment, responsibility, flexibility and ability to exercise discretion with regard to sensitive and confidential information;
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
- Good knowledge of the U.N. system as well as those of other organisations and international agencies, including their instruments and mechanisms in favour of the protection of the rights of the child.

Responsibilities and typical tasks

The incumbent is expected to perform the following tasks:
- Develop, implement and evaluate the project. This includes conducting research in and on selected countries and themes, producing material and analysis; collaborating with partners and country-based actors; and organising the regional seminar;
- Actively seek additional information and verify the collected data through contacting the relevant international and local experts, and in doing so exercise professionalism and impartiality;
- Analyse the collected information and prepare country profiles and a regional analysis;
- Contribute to organising and facilitating various meetings regarding the project;
- Plan and participate in field missions, conferences, workshops, training and regular meetings in Africa and elsewhere;
- Monitor and follow-up the project’s objectives and impact;
- Network with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental institutions, agencies or organisations active in children’s rights in Canada and elsewhere;
- Guide and supervise the work of experts, partners, interns and volunteers who are tasked to help in information and data collection, and take part in many strategic and coordination meetings;
- Develop a training manual which documents the methodological steps in drafting country profiles and in organising regional seminars, to document and share the acquired expertise with partners;
- Perform other relevant duties as requested.
The incumbent will be based in Montreal (Canada) and will be acting under the supervision of the IBCR Programme Manager. The position is a one-year contract which could be extended should the performance be satisfactory, and funding and mandate renewed.
The recruitment of the Project Manager is therefore dependant on the confirmation of the funding necessary to implement the project. The selected candidate is expected to begin this full-time position as soon as possible.

Education
Advanced university (Master’s or Doctorate) degree, preferably in international development, international relations, political science, law, sociology or other disciplines related to human rights. A combination of relevant academic qualifications and extensive experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience
At least four years of human/children’s rights-related experience, including at least three years in the field of human rights monitoring and reporting.

Languages
Proven proficiency in English in French, with excellent writing and reporting skills in both languages. This is essential to the recruitment. Knowledge of other languages and in particular of Swahili and local languages is highly desirable.

Other Skills
Good computer skills relevant to the position; knowledge of Word, Internet, Outlook, Excel, Acrobat, Access is a must.

Remuneration
Depending on professional background and experience, a competitive compensation is offered.
Vacancies Contact
Applications must include:
- Cover letter, describing in what way the applicant’s experience and academic background meet the criteria for this position,
- CV/resumé,
- A sample of a recent report or publication in English or French, preferably on human rights or children’s rights.
- Full contact details of three references.
Please submit your applications to Mr. Luc Ouimet, IBCR Deputy Director by e-mail l.ouimet@ibcr.org or by fax + 1 514 932-9453.