LonAdd HR Consultancy Plc (www.lonadd.com) is a Recruitment & Outsourcing Company based in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, with branch offices in Dukem and Hawassa. 

 We are looking for a highly qualified and competent Facilitators and Conveners Selection and Administration Team Leader for The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) that was officially established through the Proclamation (No. 1265/2021) that was passed by the House of People’s Representatives in 2021.

 About the Commission

The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission (ENDC) was officially established in February 2022, through the Proclamation (No. 1265/2021) that was passed by the House of People’s Representatives   . The Commission is established to independently lead, coordinate and broker efforts aimed toward an inclusive and participatory national dialogue. Eleven Commissioners were appointed through an open process to lead the process for 3 years.

Upon its establishment, the ENDC, as defined in the Proclamation, was assigned to perform specific tasks including: i)  facilitating consultation among the various segments of society by identifying the root causes of the differences on fundamental national issues and filtering the thematic topics on which the discussions will take place, ii) implementing an effective national dialogue process by ensuring it is inclusive, transparent, led by a competent and impartial facilitators, with a clear focus on the cause of disagreements, guided by key principles of impartiality and integrity, and have a clear plan to implement the results of the consultations; iii) establishing a system of deliberations that will improve the relationship among the different segments of the population as well as between the public and the government so as to enable the creation of new political dispensation that is marked by mutual trust and constructive engagement; iv) supporting the implementation of the recommendations emerging from the dialogues and build an open and democratic system of trust between citizens, the government and the people at all levels; v) support for the development of a political culture that can solve internal problems that have been simmering for generations through dialogue and create a conducive environment for the building of a democratic system; vi) laying the social and political foundations on the basis of which current problems can be solved in a sustainable manner, ensuring lasting peace; and vii) laying a firm foundation for national consensus and the building of a state with strong legitimacy.

Since its official establishment, the ENDC, through its commissioners and Secretariat has been engaged in preparatory activities needed to ensure it successfully discharges its mandate by accomplishing the above-mentioned tasks. The major ones include the establishment of its Secretariat – a critical entity that would provide the much-needed operational and logistical support to the work of the Commission; conducting different level preliminary consultations with representatives of various segments of the society (Women, Youth, CSOs, Political Parties, etc) that helped  ENDC to listen to expectations, clarify on issues and solicit support and cooperation to launch the much needed genuine and inclusive national dialogue; and the deployment of experts to conduct research, facilitate and lead on participants selection, agenda setting, capacity building, communication, and public outreach, monitoring and evaluation and documentation and other support activities to facilitate a successful national dialogue process in Ethiopia.

To enable ENDC’s work to be as technically efficient as possible, research undertakings that aimed to understand the context, processes, and outcomes of previous dialogues initiatives by different stakeholders in Ethiopia are planned to be conducted within the framework of the project with UNDP. The research is expected to produce evidence on the challenges of the previous dialogue initiatives as well as facilitate training and learning for ENDC through rigorous analysis and comparison with international best practices. 

Job Purpose

The facilitators and conveners selection and administration senior expert participates in planning the team's work, ensures that the department's work plans are delivered, prepares budget requirements, and when approved, implements them in a cost-effective manner.

At the national level, by having a common discussion on the prevailing differences and issues of the, enable to come a consensus by selecting, appointing and training facilitators and conveners  who would facilitate the dialogue process according to the set guidelines and principles.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Support the planning, nomination, vetting, appointment and deployment as well as monitoring of facilitators and conveners;

•  In coordination with the training team arrange all necessary trainings for the facilitators and conveners;

•  Choosing Facilitators and Conveners to participate in the dialogue work to make the assignment of the National dialogue Commission effective;

• support the preparation of the criteria to select conveners and facilitators who participate in agenda setting and dialogue at all levels in a free and independent manner;

• Make the necessary arrangements for registration of qualified candidates for conveners and facilitators at the consultation levels;

•  Deploying, monitoring and evaluating Facilitators and Convenors who participate in the dialogue work to make the assignment of the National dialogue Commission effective;

•  develop a monitoring framework for Conveners’ and facilitators’ work in accordance with established guidelines, operating systems, checklists and ethical guidelines, and provide feedback as needed;

• In order to make the work of the National dialogue Commission effective, help the facilitators and conveners to solve the problems they face during the work process;

• It identifies the problems faced by moderators and facilitators at each level, identifies the ways they can be solved, and makes them solve them;

•  Monitor facilitators to report on their work at each level;

• compiling data and preparing reports;

• Compiles the report of the team periodically and reports to the relevant body;

• Undertakes any other activity assigned by supervisors.

Type (Regular or Short term): Regular

Office- or Home-based: Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission 

Expected starting date: Up on signing of the contract 

Expected Duration: One year with the possibility of extension upon satisfactory performance and availability of funding 

Job requirements

• MA in law, political science, peace and security studies, Project Management, Sociology, Public administration or other related social science studies 

• 8 years of relevant work experience,

•  An experience with a proven professional record in working in the field of peacebuilding/ non-violent conflict management systems /dialogue/ and dispute resolution systems

•  An experience in working, writing, reporting, and researching or on dialogue, justice, peace, and conflict issues is advantageous

•  Willingness to travel as and when required

• Able to work both independently and within teams

•  Able to work under pressure; and

•   Excellent oral and written communication and reporting skills

•  Experience in liaising and engaging different stakeholders in a complex environment and in managing different expectations

• Experience in designing and organizing learning workshops and producing communication materials

•  Ability to cope with physical hardship and willingness to work extra hours in an environment with limited infrastructure, proven resilience to high-stress environments and situations

•   Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity

• Professional fluency in the English and Amharic language, both oral and written; knowledge of other national languages is an advantage

• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, social media accounts, and applications for data collection, content development, communication, and media engagement activities

Competencies Required

Core Competencies:

•  Achievements of Results: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed, and accuracy in doing the research work

• Think Innovative: Proactively mitigate potential risks, and develop new ideas to solve complex problems

• Learn Continuously: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

• Adapt with Agility: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

• Act with Determination: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

• Engage and Partner: Political savvy, navigate the complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate the benefits of a diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional Competencies

Functional/ Technical Competencies: 

• Excellent social science research methodologies

• Current knowledge of political issues and contexts in Ethiopia

•  Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills

•   An effective and energetic team player, with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment

•  Strong self-motivation and innovative skills, with the capacity to work independently and meet deadlines. 

Client Orientation:

• Ability to anticipate and manage the needs and interests of multiple stakeholders and balance often contradictory expectations from NDC’s national partners

•  Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service providers.

Analytical Abilities:

• Knowledge of conflict, peacebuilding, and dialogue concepts and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations

• Knowledge of the interaction between political actors, political processes, and peace in a society, including the impact of power distribution on political stability and economic outcomes

Partnership and Networking:

• Engages and fosters strategic partnerships with other stakeholders and government and non-government organizations, UN agencies, funds, and programs

•  Shares knowledge and activities at the NDC and other venues)

Innovation, Outreach, and Communication:

• Writes clearly and concisely in English and Amharic.

• Communicates within and at large, participates in peer communities, and engages substantively

• Makes the case for innovative ideas, documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches and tools

• Demonstrates effective presentation and writing, and strong analytical and strategic skills. 

System Thinking

•  Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system

Gender and Institution Development:

•  Demonstrates knowledge of systems and tools for gender mainstreaming

• Applies gender dimension to strategic and/or practical situations, including analysis of the research from a gender perspective

• Demonstrates knowledge of Women’s Rights and Political participation/empowerment issues and concepts and applies these in strategic and/or practical situations.  

How to Apply

Submit your personal CV, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, your durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers. and a cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position. via email to apply@lonadd.com, by putting Application for Facilitators and Conveners Selection and Administration Senior Expert in the subject box.

Note: Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply