Technical Advisor (Conflict and Dispute Resolution) – AAWAZ Programme in Pakistan

Technical Advisor (Conflict and Dispute Resolution) – AAWAZ Programme in Pakistan

About DAI

DAI is an employee-owned global development company. For 40 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governments, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 60 countries. Our integrated development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines—crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS and disease control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

Objective of the Programme:

AAWAZ is a 5 year cutting edge, flagship programme in Voice and accountability. Funded by UK Department for International Development this community and gender focused programme works with a number of eminent NGOs including the Aurat Foundation; South Asia Partnership, Pakistan (SAP-PK), the Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) and Sungi Development Foundation. The programme aims to facilitating linkages between the State and Government of Pakistan and its citizens by creating awareness amongst the population whilst giving citizens and communities the skills to bring about change; resulting in a State and Government that is more receptive to citizens’ demands.

AAWAZ is managed by DAI as the Management Organisation (MO) and is implemented through rights-based civil society organisations working in the two districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

The four key outputs of AAWAZ are:

1. Empowering women to give them a political voice to participate safely in politics without the fear of violence
2. Enhancing the capacity of the citizens and communities to resolve disputes peacefully and inclusively
3. Building capacities of citizens to agree solutions together to make effective demands
4. Building evidence to change laws, attitudes and behaviours through different means

The programme views democracy through a gender lens, and intends to contribute to women’s political empowerment, resolution of conflicts across the communities that it works with, and better public service delivery in the areas of health and education through informed and active engagement of citizens. AAWAZ places strategic emphasis on tackling violence against women and girls.

Scope of Work:

Dispute management at the community level and beyond goes to the heart of the AAWAZ programme. The Conflict and Dispute Resolution Adviser will act as thought leader and technical lead across the programme to ensure that all programming activities, approach and materials are conflict-sensitive. S/he will work closely with the Gender Adviser to address violence against women at community and institutional level and with the Communications and Advocacy Adviser to promote peaceful conflict management at community level and beyond.

Reporting to the Deputy Team Leader (Technical) / Head of Programmes, the Conflict and Dispute Resolution Adviser will act as thought leader for the MO and IPOs, bringing cutting-edge knowledge and resources to the attention of all relevant personnel.

The Conflict and Dispute Resolution Adviser will provide or guide training where necessary within the MO and IPOs and to community-based activists in the programme locations.

This position will be supported by a Programme Specialist and will have access to a pool of short term technical advisers.

· Lead the development of a conflict sensitivity strategy for application across the programme

· Lead the application of the strategy across the programme

· Provide systematic advisory support to appropriate personnel within the IPOs and the MO regarding conflict and dispute resolution

· Develop programming tools to further the programme’s objectives with regard to conflict and dispute resolution

· Identify needs across each IPO and their partners in programme locations for increased knowledge and skills regarding conflict and dispute resolution

· Train and mentor personnel in the IPOs and MO as necessary

· Act at the MO’s focal point for conflict and dispute resolution issues

· Work closely with the Gender Adviser on issues of violence against women and on women’s participation in conflict management mechanisms

· Work closely with the Communications and Advocacy Adviser to promote peaceful resolution of conflicts at community level and beyond

· Develop networks and partnerships as appropriate

· Commission research and other short-term assignments as appropriate and agreed with the Deputy Team Leader (Technical)/ Head of Programmes

· Quality assure all communications and advocacy materials and tools

Requirements:

· At least eight (8) years’ experience in a relevant field gained through working with a conflict non-governmental organisation, as a conflict adviser in a multi-lateral or donor organisation or in a similar programme

· Demonstrated understanding of the conflict and dispute resolution issues in Pakistan at community level and beyond

· Demonstrated experience in using and adapting a conflict sensitivity strategy to a community-level programme in Pakistan or similar context

· Demonstrated gender-sensitivity and commitment to the involvement of women in conflict management at all stages

· At least five years’ experience in working with civil society organisations

· Fluency in written and spoken English and Urdu (to publication standard)

· Proven competency in developing web content

· Experience of managing a team and working with DFID or a similar donor (desirable)

· Experience of managing budgets (desirable)

Values and competencies:

· A pro-poor approach, committed to involving poor and otherwise marginalized people in decision-making

· Adherence to international human rights principles

· Gender-sensitivity and commitment to gender equality

· Conflict sensitivity

· Results-focused

· Commitment to team work and to building the capacity of others

· Respect for diversity

Education:

Advanced University Degree in a relevant subject (social development, law, conflict management, human rights)

Project Location: Islamabad, Pakistan, with frequent travel to KP and Punjab

Deadline for applications: 3rd November 2014