Kenya: Quaker International Affairs Representative, Africa

Status: Full-Time (Specific Term, 2 years)

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Deadline:December 4, 2015

Program description

The American Friends Service Committee’s (AFSC) Quaker International Affairs Representatives (QIARs) engage in peace, justice, and reconciliation work all over the world, representing an AFSC approach to peacebuilding and conflict transformation, drawing upon deeply held Quaker values. While all of AFSC’s international programs are designed with peacebuilding and conflict transformation as their underlying purpose, the “Quaker International Affairs Program” is designed to link programmatic work to policy, specifically utilizing methods of quiet diplomacy, bridging societal divides, and creating safe space for dialogue among those who would not normally be able to come together around serious differences. QIARs should be adept at linking the local to the regional and global in order to bring about policy change related to AFSC’s shared security program and to prevent or resolve violent conflict. QIARs are expected to be alert to new or unattended strategic issues and to be a vanguard in bringing these to the appropriate fora within AFSC and externally.

QIARs seek to develop strong, trusting relationships with those who may be in positions to influence positive and peaceful change. They seek to promote understanding of the causes of violence and conflict, to create opportunities for discussion, joint problem solving, and the development of alternative policies and practices. Working at the local, national, and international level, the role of the QIARs is to open doors so that processes of dialogue and conflict transformation can take place and to facilitate movement towards sustainable and just peace.

Summary of Principal Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Africa Regional Director and aligned to AFSC’s international shared security strategy, the QIAR will liaise with AFSC programs leadership, program colleagues in Burundi, Somalia, Kenya and Zimbabwe, QUNO (Quaker United Nations Office), and OPPA (Office of Public Policy and Advocacy) and other units including communications to determine the policy priorities and opportunities in the region.

Within the strategic directions determined, the QIAR will build new partnerships, strengthen and support the capacity building of partner organizations and coalitions in advocacy, conflict transformation and reconciliation on issues arising from regional strategic planning priorities impacting peace and stability. He/She will organize meetings, exchanges, and study tours, and write analytical reports on regional developments focused heavily on documenting alternatives to current violence and conflict.

The QIAR reports to the Regional Director for Africa on programmatic, public policy, financial and administrative matters.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities: The key responsibilities of the QIAR, Africa include and not limited to the following:

1. Participate with AFSC colleagues in the international programs and regional strategic planning processes; develop QIAR program regional priorities, annual program plans and regular reports.
2. In collaboration with the Africa Regional Director and program staff in the countries cited above in particular and International Programs as a whole, maintain awareness of peacebuilding and conflict transformation methodologies to be incorporated into program design.
3. Develop a robust Monitoring and Evaluation Framework that illustrates the effectiveness and efficiency of the peacebuilding and conflict transformation interventions for the region.
4. Administer the program, and together with the regional finance manager, provide monthly financial reports and semi-annual budgets to the Africa Regional Director.
5. Participate in periodic program assessment with the Africa Regional Office, the Associate General Secretary and with oversight Committees and in a formal evaluation.
6. Maintain up-to-date analysis of trends in the region, particularly related to conflict and its underlying causes, to be shared with the Africa Regional Director, International Programs Unit, and the Office of Public Policy and Advocacy, in order to develop policies and advocacy work in the US, and with QUNO as relevant to its work at the United Nations and the Africa Union.
7. Produce a periodic update on issues relating to the region and shared security.
8. Produce and assist in the creation of reports, white papers, and policy briefs on trends, issues, and developments in the region related to shared security for internal use and/or for publication.
9. Organize speaking tours and informational exchanges in Africa, and the US, China and Europe.
10. Develop contacts, become familiar with local institutions and organizations and establish appropriate partnerships that are strategic in efforts to promote peace and influence policy change and practice.
11. Seek opportunities to increase interaction among people from different countries and constituencies who would not otherwise have a chance to meet and interact.
12. Foster dialogue to bridge divides and support cooperation of peace and non-violent solutions to conflict and exercise the quiet diplomacy that may be required to advance and secure the various peace dialogues in the region. Open and sustain dialogue among non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research organizations, community leaders, networks (including youth and women’s groups), scholars, journalists, diplomats, and government officials.
13. Promote and organize national, regional, inter-regional, and international gatherings and meetings.
14. Provide consultative support to relevant capacity-building efforts to promote peacebuilding methods and skills as well as related efforts to foster non-violence and structural change on matters related to conflict.
15. Maintain periodic contact with Quaker groups in Africa and the United States.
16. Seek opportunities to strengthen the Africa peacebuilding and conflict transformation work through external mobilization of funds from potential credible donors.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience in lieu of a Master’s degree in one of the following critical areas: international affairs/relations, policy formulation and advocacy, peace and conflict resolution, Development Studies, African Studies.

Experience:

Five or more years of senior-level experience in peace practice; experience in informal/quiet diplomacy, conflict analysis, conflict resolution and transformation, mediation, and multi-party dialogue. Understanding of the history, politics and cultures of the region; experience with regional and global political and economic institutions and their roles in peace, conflict prevention and resolution and development in in Africa.

Other Required Skills and Abilities:

1. Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
2. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
3. Respect for, and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender, and religious diversity, and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.
4. Prior experience with an international organization working in more than two countries in Africa.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of African political and socio-economic history. Understanding of the causes of conflict and divisive issues in Africa. Fluency in written and oral communication in English and Swahili/French?
6. Knowledge of, respect for, and sensitivity to African ethnic cultural and religious diversity and various approaches to problem solving.
7. Ability to travel frequently, to cope in situations of high risk and to comply with security measures and policies.
8. Ability to handle sensitive situations and materials with discretion. Ability to help others communicate with one another on topics of mutual concern and interest.
9. Capacity to meet deadlines. Experience in strategic planning, negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution highly desirable.
10. Demonstrated self-motivation, proactive and able to work with minimum supervision.
11. Ability to listen creatively and to communicate effectively with people of diverse perspectives. Demonstrated ability to build trust across lines of conflict and in exchanges with high-level leadership and community-based groups and individuals.
12. Experience in strategic thinking, program planning and implementation. Ability to work independently in an unstructured setting yet within a framework of careful communication, consultation, and decision-making.
13. Demonstrated analytical and communication skills;
14. Facility for organizing events, producing materials for publication for diverse audiences in US, Africa, Asia and Europe.
15. Facility in organizing formal conferences and seminars is required.
16. Demonstrated understanding and experience of sound financial record-keeping/accounting and financial program reporting.
17. Demonstrated computer skills (PC/Windows), particularly word processing spreadsheet and database applications (MS office), and e-mail.

Compensation: Salary Range starts at $61,649 – Exempt – Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity**,**sexual orientation or disability.

“AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.”

The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.

To apply please complete the online application at www.afsc.org/jobs