Lebanon: Youth and Conflict Technical Advisor (218708-927)
Country: Lebanon
Closing date: 08 Oct 2013
PROGRAM SUMMARY
As Mercy Corps seeks to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression around the world we recognize that instances of sudden change within a country or region, like the events currently sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa, are rare moments of opportunity. Mercy Corps is interested in strengthening its presence for immediate as well as longer term programming for Syrians, including those who have been displaced across the region and within Syria. It is imperative that Mercy Corps present itself as a key and reliable partner with various donors, INGOs, government authorities and civil society actors, to be part of the process of positive change. Mercy Corps, with its global experience in working in countries undergoing major transitions, will be a key contributor in the process, positioning the agency as a partner of choice for progressive change.
Aside from the Syria crisis, a number of Arab states are taking the first steps out of authoritarian rule and towards pluralist democratic self-governance. The face of these countries is changing, new groups are entering the political arena, and competition for power can easily spin out of control. Autocratic dictatorships have left behind citizenries and leaders who see political differences from a zero sum lens that all-too-often allows every day disputes to flare into wider violence. Skills and experience for managing peaceful change during these exceptionally turbulent times have never been more important.
At the forefront of the challenges facing countries affected by the Syria crisis and other Arab states experiencing the after-effects of the so-called ‘Arab Awakening’ are the needs and voices of young people. Mercy Corps is therefore committing to two separate initiatives that span our work across the Middle East – one focusing on the role and needs of young people, and one focused on developing Mercy Corps’ understanding and thought leadership around conflict management programming across the Middle East.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
This position will explore and develop strategies to advance Mercy Corps’ ‘regional value proposition’ (RVP) to develop smart conflict programming in the Middle East that builds upon Mercy Corps’ and industry best practice for effective program design, implementation, innovation and learning during FY14. The RVP will lead to the emergence of Mercy Corps’ Middle East (ME) region as a center of excellence in the field of conflict management and will be known for implementing high-quality programs, undertaking cutting edge research, and testing innovative approaches to crisis management and prevention. Its field staff will be well versed in Mercy Corps and industry best practices and work hand-in-hand with subject matter experts to create a regional portfolio that responds to local realities, demonstrates results on-the-ground and contributes to the evolution of conflict management in the Arab world.
This position will also act as a focal point for coordinating research initiatives around youth involvement in the Syria crisis. The particular focus of this research is to challenge conventional wisdom: Our youth programming will look for the non-obvious opportunities for impact that emerge during times of turmoil and transition. The Youth and Conflict Technical Advisor will assist in youth research activities in order to help Mercy Corps to:
- Devise strategies to search for and recognize overlooked potential of youth
- Assess feasibility of developing those areas of potential as they are identified
- Pilot initiatives that push the boundaries of both knowledge and practice
This research should take into account the following areas of focus:
- Youth Action - Mercy Corps will explore where and how youth are influencing and being influenced by the environment and context in which they currently live, what it is that draws them to engage and, when they do, what form that engagement takes – violent or non-violent. Related to Results 1 and 2 in the Syria Youth Results Framework, we will also investigate the degree to which interventions aimed at addressing the psychosocial and protection needs of youth and providing them with opportunities to develop and apply social and economic skills, including civic engagement ease the transition of youth into productive roles within their community
- Economic opportunities - In order to effectively target market-driven assistance that aids youth in meeting their economic needs, Mercy Corps (in coordination Regional Economic Opportunities Advisor and EMD TSU) will assess the short and long-term economic opportunities for Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon. This will include gathering information about host country rules/regulations related to refugee employment/income generation, existing support services and programming in this area, gaps and constraints faced by youth and current coping strategies, and donor interest in funding related activities.
- GBV – Across all youth interventions, Mercy Corps wants to ensure an appropriate sensitivity to this high prevalence of GBV within program design Mercy Corps will research a number of related issues including what risks there are of GBV among youth (boys and girls), and the types of services and psychosocial support currently available to them. We will also explore what are the main barriers for female engagement in youth activities and what we can do to overcome them. With input from a GBV technical advisor we will explore what can be done to mitigate those risks, what additional types of services and psychosocial support are needed by GBV survivors, and what must-have program elements are needed for working with mixed groups, including survivors.
At least initially, this person will spend 60% of his/her time on the Conflict RVP and 40% on youth research.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Syrian Youth Research
- Act as the focal point to coordinate desk and field research activities in support of the development of Mercy Corps’ youth programming in countries affected by the Syria crisis– this will involve coordinating the prioritization of research needs and development of research work plans, as well as providing direction and guidance to others carrying out research as well as directly undertaking some research.
- Hire and manage consultants for field research activities related to the Youth Results Framework, and for testing Theories of Change related to psychosocial programming, transferrable skills, and participation/non-participation in violence.
- Lead desk research in areas highlighted above and related to the Youth Results Framework, specifically on psychosocial programming, transferrable skills, and participation/non-participation in violence. Hire and manage interns to support desk research. Desk research will support development of proposal concepts related to the Results Framework.
- In close partnership with Mercy Corps Technical Support Unit and Research and Learning teams, coordinate the integration of youth research questions and indicators into existing, planned and stand alone programs (baselines, endlines, assessments) in countries affected by the Syria crisis.
Conflict Regional Value Proposition
- With support and guidance from the Mercy Corps’ Youth and Conflict Technical Support Unit,
- develop conflict training programs tailored for each ME country office.
- implement conflict training program in ME country offices.
- embed conflict management tools and approaches in new programs and/or identify innovative, saleable model in four out of six ME country offices.
- Build a Conflict Community of Practice to conduct research and promote regional information sharing with Mercy Corps’ Middle East and North Africa region.
- Support the Iraqi Center for Negotiation Skills and Conflict Management to serve as independent resource to the region.
Donor Cultivation
- Map donors focused on conflict resolution, peace building and youth platforms in Middle East, including multi-lateral organizations, governments, foundations, private sector, etc. that would support Mercy Corps’ RVP.
- Specifically collect information about regional Arab donors who might be interested in Mercy Corps’ youth and/or conflict work.
- Investigate specific funding mechanisms that could be approached.
- Develop and contribute to concept notes and other communication materials (in consultation with field teams, regional technical team and TSU) to widely share Mercy Corps’ programming interests and proposed approaches, including a regional response to addressing the needs of youth directly affected by the Syrian refugee crisis.
- Lead and contribute to proposal development to share with identified donors based on their requirements
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. In addition, this role will have specific commitment to training, mentoring and developing field program staff working on youth and conflict programming.
Accountability to Beneficiaries:
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Regional Program Advisor
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: RVP Advisory Committee, senior management teams in Mercy Corps Iraq, Libya, Jordan, Yemen and Syria, Technical Support Unit, Regional Technical Team for the Syria response.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- A BA in social science, international studies, conflict resolution/peace building or related field; advanced degree preferred
- A minimum of 3-years’ experience in a relief setting with management responsibility
- High level of proficiency in English is required
- High level of proficiency in Arabic would be an asset
- Experience managing complex and complicated activities with time sensitive deliverables in unstable environments
- Experience designing conflict resolution and peace building programs in unstable countries
- Experience of youth programming and youth engagement best practice
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful candidate will be able to develop realistic but innovative programming in austere environments, conceptualize and formulate strategies and recommendations to ensure program success, as well as strong analysis and writing skills to convey complex ideas.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is will be based in Beirut, Lebanon, with periodic visits to other countries in the Middle East and North Africa as needed. The location is accompanied. Housing is provided and there is access to good medical services. Water and electricity are present with frequent cuts. This position requires (50% of time) traveling by vehicle to field offices and partner agencies in some less secure environments and travel to Mercy Corps offices across the Middle East.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
How to apply:
APPLY VIA URL:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...
