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Friday, March 15, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCY Position: Researcher/Writer




Position:  Researcher/Writer
Duration: One Year, Renewable
Salary: Competitive
Announcement Date:  March 13, 2013
Dead line Date: March 19, 2013

The Academy for Peace and Development (APD) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization whose main objective is to help secure peace throughout Somaliland and to promote good governance. Based in Hargeisa and maintaining a satellite office in Burao, the Academy was established in 1998 and has since worked in partnership with Interpeace (previously WSP) on various programs aimed at resolving conflicts between communities over resources and enhancing the capacities of Somaliland government institutions. APD’s standard methodology, Participatory Action Research (PAR), which allows its staff to interact with key stakeholders in both civil and political society, is based on the idea that inclusivity and participation at various levels are necessary for building peace and creating cohesion among Somalilanders. At the same time, APD maintains its independence, neutrality, and impartiality, a status which has earned for it the respect and trust of both government officials and representatives of civil groups, while also enabling it to bring about much-needed change. The Academy is currently implementing the second phase of a program called the Pillars of Peace (PoP). The program comprises three inter-related pillars, or thematic streams, in peace making and state building: democratization, decentralization, and social reconciliation.

Under the overall supervision of APD’s Executive Director and Program Coordinator, and in coordination with the research teams of the other two pillars and the multimedia unit, the lead researcher of the social reconciliation pillar will conduct practical, process-oriented PAR-based activities – such as public forums, workshops, and consultative meetings – which relate primarily to conflict resolution and (when and where possible) conflict prevention. The researcher, who will be helped by an assistant, will also be responsible for drafting reports derived from the findings/results of the primary research activities mentioned above. Finally, the researcher will carry out the administrative tasks of APD’s Satellite Office. Each applicant for the position should submit a full application dossier – an application letter, college transcripts and degrees, documentation of experience, and letters of recommendation.
 
Key Responsibilities (As Researcher)

1.      Develop a work plan for the pillar’s existing results-based Change Matrix, in collaboration with the Program Coordinator, Operations Director, and AV Director/staff to ensure its timely execution/implementation;
2.      Lead the process of establishing a Steering Committee to lead the changes pursued in PoP’s implementation phase;
3.      Collaborate with and assist pillar Steering Committee in the technical, participatory, and consultative management of all pillar activities including:
4.      Working with relevant legislative body (bodies) to ensure that Police Bill is enacted
5.      Liaise, cooperate, and build strong rapport with all key stakeholders including civil society leaders, representatives of communities, and especially those involved in conflict resolution/prevention, mediation efforts, and the maintenance of security throughout Somaliland;
6.      Plan and lead the facilitation of forums, workshops, and televised debates as part of a two-way approach to disseminate the outcomes of key pillar activities to Somaliland communities while encouraging their active participation in the progress and results of the pillar;
7.      Draft/submit monthly progress reports, press releases, and all other necessary presentations and materials to Program Coordinator for further dissemination;
8.      Perform all other related duties that may be required as part of efforts to meet the programme’s goals;
9.      Coordinate all pillar activities with AV staff to ensure audiovisual documentation and multimedia dissemination of pillar products;
10.  Draft a summation impact assessment report as part of the finalization of the PoP program and determination of its value/usefulness to the beneficiaries.

Key Responsibilities: (As Satellite Office Director)

1.      Ensure that the efficient and effective management of the Burao Satellite Office, including staff and material resources, in order to help APD achieve its mission towards which it makes consistent and timely progress in the eastern regions of the country;
2.      Ensure that official records and documents are properly maintained;
3.      Ensure compliance with the implementation of plans and policies as established and authorized by both APD’s management and BoD;
4.      Develop proposals and concept notes directed towards the initiation of new projects and initiatives at the Satellite Office.
5.      Regularly inform APD management about new/late developments in the country’s eastern regions and all important factors influencing them;
6.      Establish sound working relations and cooperative arrangements with other NGOs as well as the government at the regional level;
7.      Authorize expenditures and maintain all records related to them;
8.      Participate in APD’s strategic planning.

Qualifications

  1. Postgraduate degree in the social sciences and/or humanities;
  2. Fluency in both English and Somali;
  3. Minimum five (5) years of experience in research and writing, including compilation of relevant data and information and drafting technical reports;
  4. Experience in conflict management and resolution;
  5. Demonstrated ability to lead and work with people of diverse backgrounds;
  6. Excellent computer skills;
  7. Excellent communication and moderating skills, especially in delivering presentations and facilitating forums and workshops;
 All interested applicants for the position should submit a full application dossier  ( an application letter, college transcripts  and degrees, documentation of experience, and letters of recommendation), to  APD  head office by not later than Saturday 19th March,2013.

The Academy is an equal employment opportunity organization. Women are encouraged to apply. Only shirt-listed candidates shall be contacted.

Contact Telephone: 520304/4406607/4456266

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