Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo (the)
Closing date: 08 Jun 2008
Job Description

Job Posting: April 8, 2008
Posting End Date: April 18, 2008
Req.#: I 08 052

Note: this position is conditional upon receipt of funds.

Background:

The overall mission of the department is to ensure high quality, just and sustainable relief and development programs in accordance with the CRS mission statement. The conflict specialist will manage a USAID Bureau of Conflict Management and Mitigation/Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (CMM/DCHA), for two and half years (30 months). The purpose of the program is to promote durable peace and stability in the Eastern Congo. The position is based in Goma, DRC, and is conditional upon receipt of funds.

Primary Function:

The Deputy Chief of Party will provide analysis and guidance based on education in and/or practical knowledge of Conflict Management and Mitigation practices, fragility frameworks, early warning, support to peace processes, reconciliation and security sector reform in the DRC.

In the absence of the COP, he/she will be responsible for over all program responsibilities.

Specific responsibilities:

1. Management of start up and ongoing conflict mitigation and peace building program initiatives including peace, security, reconciliation, reintegration, development and stabilization of the DRC.
2. Liaise with development program partners (peace building, social infrastructure, reconstruction, basic services) staff, to ensure appropriate linkages with all program approaches.
3. Identify and address staffing needs for project support and programs, ensuring personnel structure and qualifications are sufficient to achieve objectives.
4. Provide leadership and technical support to partners, with the goal of building partner capacity in conflict mitigation/rehabilitation/reintegration programming as well as in efficient financial and administrative systems. Assess partner needs and design/implement capacity building plans with them.
5. Maintain strict oversight of partner narrative and financial reports, ensuring these are submitted on schedule and are meeting project objectives and budget expenditure.
6. Take the lead in the design, formatting and development of project proposals for the conflict mitigation and peace building program. This should be participatory and involve discussions with all stakeholders.

7. Organize and lead CRS and consortium assessments, while also participating in inter-agency assessments led by other institutions.
8. Represent CRS to district-level authorities coordinating project efforts.
9. Provide progress reports as appropriate, coordinate all reports to CRS, donors & other stakeholders.
10. Prepare fragility frameworks, early warning, and support to project peace processes, as appropriate, for project implementation and for reporting purposes.
11. Contribute to peace building-related strategic and operational decision-making processes at the country level
12. Participate as a full member of the CRS DRC team in SPP, APP, Justice Lens, the establishment of new policies & procedures and other country programme activities as required.
13. Other tasks needed for fulfillment of CRS DRC’s mission, as assigned by supervisor.

Required Qualifications:

1. Academic qualifications in development, conflict management, social science, or other relevant field; Master’s degree preferred. However candidates with only Bachelor’s degree will be considered if they have substantial relevant experience.
2. Minimum five years work experience in complex emergency setting outside country of origin, including planning and implementation of humanitarian assistance activities.
3. Demonstrated management skills.
4. New program/proposal development experience.
5. Knowledge of internationally accepted emergency program standards, good practice and theory such as SPHERE Standards and Code of Conduct.
6. Ability to coordinate effectively with diverse actors such as government and Church officials.
7. A demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively with a high degree of sensitivity in a complex conflict environment is desirable.
8. Good team player, flexible and capable of working with a national country team and local partners possessing diverse skills.
9. Strong written and oral communication skills in English;
10. Strong French language skills required;
11. Willingness to reside, work and travel in remote, insecure areas.
Vacancies Contact
To apply for this position please visit the Catholic Relief Services website at www.crs.org/about/careers. Regrettably, email submissions can not be accepted.