Job Title: Social Cohesion & Peacebuilding Advisor

Application Deadline: May 1, 2022

Position Status: Contingent

Duration 5 Months

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps uses an integrated systems approach that focuses on building the capacity of people and institutions to prevent and manage violent conflicts and integrating conflict sensitivity and peace-building objectives throughout our humanitarian and development programs to address the root causes of conflict such as youth unemployment, governance, and market systems development and thereby increase social cohesion. The Social Cohesion & Peacebuilding Specialist works with key stakeholders including government, local partners, youth, women, religious and clan leaders at local levels to strengthen capacities around social cohesion activities.

 ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & QUALITY

• Oversee all social cohesion program activities to ensure quality and adherence to MC Minimum standards (GESI, CARM, DO NO HARM, etc.)
• Pilot Social Cohesion toolkit and feedback to into toolkit updates and design in coordination with the Technical Support Unit
• Ensure program activities and efforts adhere to Mercy Corps Program Management at Mercy Corps minimum standards (includes Gender Min Standards, CARM & MEL)
• Inform MEL data collection, design and evaluation linked to social cohesion and conflict sensitivity outcomes
• =Ensure reporting to donor and regular quality donor communications are in place.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

• Provide direct technical support for critical peacebuilding and conflict management activities.
• Work with consultants, partners and teams to ensure conflict sensitivity and social cohesion is integrated into the design and implementation
• Design and/or , adapt social cohesion tools relevant for the project context
• Support monitoring and analysis of conflict dynamics to feed into activity design and facilitate analysis of social cohesion data for program decision-making.
• Ensure that the program team is well-versed in conflict sensitivity efforts
• Lead all relevant conflict sensitivity and social cohesion activities, including engagement with government, communities and other key stakeholders.

CAPACITY BUILDING

• Build the capacity of the program team to support social cohesion activities and outcomes throughout the life of the program.
• Works closely with the program team and partners ensuring we adhere to humanitarian principles, Mercy Corps’ policies, Do No Harm principles and project participant accountability standards.

 SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

 ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

 ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Job Requirements

Knowledge and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in social science/s, peacebuilding, conflict mitigation, international development, humanitarian response, dispute resolution, international relations or equivalent relevant field experience preferred.
• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills, particularly in peacebuilding and conflict management
• Strong understanding of peacebuilding and conflict management mechanisms and processes as part of economic development activities
• Two-three years’ experience designing, implementing and/or monitoring conflict management and reconciliation activities, including in connection with development activities
• Formal training in, or ability to train in conflict sensitivity, negotiation approaches, and social cohesion methodologies will be an added value
• Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player.
• Experience working in Somali region preferred, with strong contextual knowledge of relevant cultures and local communities.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations
• Excellent computer skills, including all Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint).
• Excellent communicator in English and Somali with demonstrated excellent report writing and speaking skills, proficiency in Somali language is must.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can send their CV, 3 references, and all relevant official documents via email: et-recruitment@mercycorps.org Please make sure that you mention the position title in the subject line of your email or via post Mercy Corps Recruiter Addis Ababa: P.O. Box 14319, Arbaminch: P.O. Box 33, Jijiga P.O. Box 225, Negelle Borena: P.O. Box 116, Dire Dawa, P.O. Box 974

NB: In order to ensure fairness to all applicant’s personal inquiries are not permitted. Only candidates that are short listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply