Regional Peacebuilding Research Coordinator

Position Title : Peacebuilding Research Regional Coordinator

Supervised by : Regional Head of Multi Country Grants Operations

Reporting to : Research & Action for Peace Regional Coordinator

Duty Station : Dakar with travels

Area of Operation : West Africa & the Lake Chad Basin

Employment Period : 12 months (potentially renewable)

Type of Contract (Expat/National/Trainee) : National contract

Salary & Benefits : Non-Management F

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfilment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

1. Background

DRC has been providing relief and development services in West Africa since 1998 and in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2011 (WANALAC). Using a human rights framework, the DRC WANALAC operation focuses on people who are affected by displacement, including refugees, internally displaced, migrants, and host communities in Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Colombia, Libya, Mali, Mexico, Niger, Nigeria, Tunisia, Venezuela. Led by the Regional Executive Director, the DRC WANALAC oversees, supports, and provides strategic directions for DRC’s Country Offices within the above-mentioned regions. The WANALAC Regional office also supports multi-country projects and non-operational initiatives, focusing on protection analysis and displacement trends, civil society engagement, as well as advocacy and policy initiatives related to displacement. DRC portfolio in the WANALAC region covers all DRC core sectors (Protection, Economic Recovery, Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding, Shelter and CCCM) through the entire response framework (Emergency response, Durable Solutions and Root causes).

In 2022, DRC entered a new venture under the leadership of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), for the implementation of the Research & Action for Peace Network (REcAP Network) project for West Africa & the Lake Chad Basin. This regional network of experts specialised in peacebuilding, the prevention of conflicts and violent extremism will act as an interactive platform for regional cooperation among already existing expert networks, think-tanks, CSOs, implementing partners, and governments. It will foster experiential learning, production of knowledge and scientific information and provide conflict-sensitive, favourable, neutral and objective grounds for discussions, debates and cross-learning. It will also support the implementation of coherent and evidence-based strategies to enhance peace and human security in 18 countries (ECOWAS member states + Mauritania, Chad and Cameroon) through advocacy activities targeting implementing actors, policy and institutional decision-makers. In addition, the REcAP network will also promote exchanges of expertise and best practices among professionals from West Africa, the Lake Chad Basin and Europe. Finally, capacity building and training programmes will be developed to enhance the skills of civil society actors and other relevant stakeholders to adapt their intervention strategies. Under the technical supervision of the Research & Action for Peace Regional Coordinator, the Peacebuilding Research Regional Coordinator will provide support, technical and scientific guidance to the Research & Action for Peace (REcAP) Network project while supporting research activities within DRC regional office’s scope.

2. Purpose

The Peacebuilding Research Coordinator will provide research support for analysis and writing (reports, website content, social media content, long and short form publications, and other publications as needed) related to peacebuilding, prevention of conflict and violent extremism. The Peacebuilding Research Coordinator will monitor regional news outlets to identify potential new areas for research and analysis; he/she may be asked to draft original research and analysis pieces under the guidance of the Research & Action for Peace Regional Coordinator. As part of the REcAP team, your main duties and responsibilities will be:

3. Duties and Responsibilities

Technical support, Analysis & Research

• Support REcAP research-based initiatives through complementary research, analysis and drafting, ensuring adherence to high standards and in coordination with the Research & Action for Peace Regional Coordinator
• Ensure conflict sensitivity and high technical quality of research and analysis in peacebuilding, prevention of conflict and violent extremism for the REcAP Network project; undertake and/or supervise specific research and analysis where appropriate
• Contribute to the drafting and proofreading of peer-reviewed publications, working papers, policy briefs, articles, factsheets and other documents related to peacebuilding, prevention of conflict and violent extremism
• Define evaluation criteria and draft terms of reference in relation to tenders and calls for proposals for research and training/capacity building activities
• Review and evaluate technical proposals in relation to tenders and calls for proposals for research and training/capacity building activities
• Support in the identification of general themes for a series of conferences, seminars, and special briefings for stakeholders and policymakers
• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of REcAP Network’s global research strategy and annual research agendas and work programmes
• Design training and capacity building materials based on research reports recommendations adapted to local and national organisations, including women and youth groups
• Facilitate the exchange and critical review among experts of the REcAP network
• Contribute to the scientific content of REcAP’s Network website
• Provide ad hoc support to DRC regional office

Capacity Development

• Proactively identify and support opportunities for cross-learning within the REcAP Network
• Support capacity building efforts on thematic and technical areas related to peace and conflict for the REcAP Network project
• Collaborate with relevant internal and external technical experts on issues related to relevant programmatic sector

Communication, Representation & Advocacy

• Represent DRC via active participation and scientific input in REcAP’s Scientific Committee
• Support the development of country and regional advocacy strategies in coordination with REcAP consortium partners, DRC Regional and national country offices
• Ensure and actively participate in regular sector meetings
• Contribute to team-wide communications and knowledge management, and participate in organisation-wide events and discussions on related topics

In addition, the Peacebuilding Research Regional Coordinator may be asked to take on other tasks and duties as requested by the Regional Head of Multi Country Grants Operations.

4. Required Qualifications

Mandatory:

• Advanced university degree in social or political science, international development, peacebuilding or in disciplines and topics relevant to this post
• Minimum 5 years of relevant working experience in research and programme support, in the fields of peacebuilding, prevention of conflict and violent extremism and/or international development
• Sound knowledge and experience of conflict-sensitive, peacebuilding, prevention of conflict and violent extremism trends
• Strong analytical and writing and oral skills in English & French
• Substantial experience in conflict analysis, conflict sensitivity, peacebuilding training needs assessment, design and delivery to a variety of audiences
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with technical partners, representatives of national and international NGOs and research structures
• Excellent communication, networking and interpersonal skills

Desirable:

• Previous experience in the West Africa and / or the Lake Chad Basin region is an asset
• Good written and oral communications skills in Portuguese is an asset

5. Required Skills & Qualities

• In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process

• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback

• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation

• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly

• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment

• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment

• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration

• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required

• Multi-tasking and Organizational skills are necessary

• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills

• Team-oriented & good sense of humor

6. General Regulations

The employee shall follow:

• DRC regulations on safety, health, COVID-19 norms and hygiene
• The Code of Conduct and all ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework

In addition :

• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request