Turkey: Senior Peacebuilding Adviser: Syria (Turkey Based)

The Peaceful Change initiative (PCi) is a not-for-profit network, registered in the UK, with operations in North Africa, the Middle East and the South Caucasus. We work to support more effective management of conflict in societies undergoing significant change, by increasing skills and opportunities for dialogue, inclusion and collaboration.

In Syria, PCI’s work primarily supports a network of Syrian peace resources who utilize relationship/partnership building and dialogue-based methods to mitigate local drivers of conflict at the community level inside Syria. The network acts as a catalyst for positive change through bringing key stakeholders together and facilitating solutions to local problems using existing resources. The programme also seeks to influence the national-level conversation on Syria and interpret national-level developments in the peace process for Track III influencers. In addition, PCi contributes towards development of a national Syrian civil society platform that advocates for negotiated solutions to national conflict issues

PCi as an organization has a strong aspiration to understand better how we can contribute to more effective action to negotiate political/religious conflicts in the Middle which play key driving roles in the Syrian conflict. In support of this aim, PCi seeks to influence Syria-focused policy within the international community through participating in events and conferences, releasing publications, and organizing briefings for policy makers.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project management

• Leads on developing detailed guidance on how activities will be implemented and how their impact will be assessed and recorded.
• Supports the delivery of project activities, where appropriate (for example, attending meetings with policy makers, facilitating dialogue forums and trainings, and developing modules for training curricula).
• Provides advice to Project partners and beneficiaries on the design and implementation of specific human security and peacebuilding initiatives.
• Leads on raising awareness of and capacity for conflict sensitive approaches amongst a) project partners staff (at HQ and field office level), b) Peace resources, and c) PCi project team; conducts/documents regular programme/activity conflict sensitivity assessments.
• Supports development and implementation of learning projects on a range of peacebuilding practice topics
• Collaborates with M&E staff to gather feedback on activities and initiatives; conducts analyses, evaluates impact, and incorporates learning into the Syria programme as a whole to help ensure the achievement of desired impact.

Strategic planning

• Leads on drafting updates to PCi’s programming strategy for Syria and the Middle East region.
• Contributes to the preparation of regular briefings to the PCi Board of Trustees about the peacebuilding contribution that PCi is making in Syria and the Middle East.
• Contributes to the articulation of PCi’s learning strategies and methodologies.
• Contributes to the development of PCi’s business plan when required.

Fundraising and financial management

• Contributes to financial planning of the Improving Human Security and Building Peace Capital in Syria project.
• Key contributor to the development of high-quality periodic narrative project reports that are compliant with donor and PCi formats.
• In close cooperation with PCi colleagues and partners, plays a key role in the development of new funding proposals.

Organisational Leadership and people management

• Provides practical and personal leadership for all staff over which the post holder has direct management responsibility.
• Implement PCi performance management systems with relevant staff.
• Maintains excellent working relationships with national partners, ensuring genuine co-ownership of project planning, implementation and management.
• Supports, through mentoring, accompaniment or training, the capacity building of PCi and project partner staff, as necessary, to enable them to fulfil their project-related job roles.

Communications

• Leads on developing and implementing a strategic plan for ensuring PCi’s representation in relevant policy-making and information sharing/lessons-learned forums related to Syria and/or the Middle East region.
• Represents PCi in a variety of relevant forums and builds relationships with key governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.
• In close cooperation with other PCi colleagues, develops and disseminates PCi publications and their key messages.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

• At least 5 years proven experience in conflict management / peacebuilding
• Proven experience in project management (planning, implementation, financial reporting, and monitoring and evaluation)
• Proven experience of establishing strong collaborative relationships with project partners
• Proven experience in managing staff and working effectively in a small team
• Excellent analytical and English writing skills
• Ability to put yourself into others’ shoes and think from their point of view is essential
• Willingness to model values of inclusion, dialogue and collaboration
• Spoken Arabic will be an advantage
• Knowledge of Syria and the region will be an advantage
• Facilitation skills will be an advantage
• Strong network of relationships amongst policy making actors will be an advantage

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Seeking both long-term and short-term applicants
• PCi offers a competitive salary based on position requirements, with past salary history and experience taken into account
• PCi provides health and travel insurance for the post-holder.
• PCi provides housing in Gaziantep
• Please note PCI will not cover any costs associated with alternative, private accommodation in Gaziantep, nor costs associated with accompanying spouses or dependents

TO APPLY

To apply, you must submit a copy of your CV as well as a short (no more than one page) covering letter explaining why you are interested in this position and how your experience makes you an ideal candidate to recruitment(at)peacefulchange.org. Applications that do not meet these minimum criteria will not be considered. Short-term candidates are encouraged to apply with their windows of availability over 6-12 months, even if they are not immediately available.

For more information, please visit our website.