Oxfam Novib Conflict Transformation Advisor

Oxfam Novib is committed to ridding the world of poverty. We have a conviction that people are well capable of building a livelihood without poverty on their own, once given the chance to do so. Which is why we support local projects in developing countries, why we lobby governments and companies to take into account the interests of the poorest people, and why we campaign to involve Dutch men and women also in our work. We work together with other Oxfam affiliates to increase our impact on development issues.

The Knowledge and Program Management Department of Oxfam Novib is looking for a:

Conflict Transformation Advisor
Fulltime
Based in The Hague, The Netherlands
Programme period: 3,5 years

Objective of the position
Oxfam Novib is hiring an experienced conflict transformation advisor to support the organisation with the implementation of, and learning needs surrounding, 3 Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs-funded programs in the area of post-conflict reconstruction. The programs are taking place in Afghanistan, Pakistan; Burundi, DRC and Rwanda; and South Sudan. The 3 programs have a total value of 15 million Euros. The conflict transformation advisor will ensure joint learning between the 3 programs, as well as for the organization as a whole. The advisor will also provide expert knowledge and programmatic advice. S/he will play a critical role in building up the expertise and knowledge of Oxfam (Novib) in the area of conflict transformation and post-conflict reconstruction.

Main tasks
 

• Ensure learning between the 3 programs, in particular on conflict transformation, peace building, conflict and livelihoods, governance and post-conflict reconstruction, and embed this learning within Oxfam (Novib).
• Provide expert knowledge and programmatic advice to the 3 programs and to the relevant Regional Directors on the issues of conflict transformation, peace building, conflict and livelihoods, governance and post-conflict reconstruction.
• Import best practices and new rights-based approaches from practitioners and academia into the 3 programs and to Oxfam (Novib). This will be done through close cooperation with relevant Oxfam (Novib) program and lobby staff. 
• During year 1, work with the monitoring/evaluation and learning (MEL) advisor to support the 3 programs to identify joint learning needs; take initiatives to enable and ensure cross-learning across the 3 programs, and within the wider organization, including through active contributions to the KPM conflict transformation community of practice.
• As the 3 programs progress, in cooperation with the 3 (regional) program coordinators, evaluate the effectiveness of approaches used and share the findings with relevant stakeholders for program improvement and learning purposes.
• Upon request and on own initiative develop briefings and communication materials on conflict transformation, governance, conflict and livelihoods, peace building and post-conflict reconstruction issues using programmatic experience from the 3 programs, and to support the 3 programs engage in external profiling.
• Scout, and support the 3 (regional) program coordinators to scout, opportunities to scale up their programs, and to continue the programs after the current funding period ends. Work with the 3 (regional) program coordinators to develop proposals as opportunities arise. 
• Represent the programme in external forums in The Netherlands to promote joint learning. Write articles for international publications and engage in expert meetings to share best practices and learning from the 3 programs with a wider audience. This includes engagement with the Dutch Knowledge Platform on Security and Rule of Law as appropriate.
• Support the 3 program coordinators with the production of knowledge materials (e.g. power point presentations, briefings) so that they can represent their program in external forums, including with donors and senior government officials. 
• Work with the 3 program coordinators to articulate and pilot innovative approaches in programming, inspired from the learning and experiences of Oxfam Novib while working with communities and partners as well as global experiences. 
• Design and implement trainings for Oxfam staff and partners on the following issues: conflict transformation, conflict sensitive programming, governance, citizens’ rights and international obligations of the state, peace building and post-conflict reconstruction. The training will be generic or customized for specific contexts.
• You report to the Bureau Head of the Knowledge and Program Management Department and will be managed on a functional basis by the Program Manager for Program 3 (Right to Life and Security). You have direct contact with the 3 programme’s (regional) program coordinators, relevant Regional Directors and Associate Country Directors, as well as with relevant units at Oxfam Novib including Quality & Control, Lobby department, External Funding, and with other Oxfam affiliates.

You
 

• Have a relevant Masters degree, preferably in conflict studies, international relations, political science or development studies.
• Can demonstrate a minimum of 8 years of relevant working experience in similar positions and have affinity with post-conflict reconstruction, conflict transformation, governance, gender mainstreaming, familiarity with the rights-based approach and a commitment to gender justice, and have a good understanding of the role of local/national civil society in development.
• Have expert judgement and a well-developed understanding of conflict transformation, post-conflict reconstruction, governance and conflict sensitivity/‘do no harm’, international instruments of rights & state obligations particularly with regard to the following countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Great Lakes, South Sudan.
• Have strong experience and good understanding of facilitating learning and knowledge management.
• Have experience and good understanding of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL).
• Have some knowledge of how advocacy and campaigning works to ensure linkages with Oxfam campaigns. 
• Have some knowledge of humanitarian principles.
• Have excellent analytical and communication skills and demonstrable ability to think strategically, innovatively and practically to improve programme quality and to forge linkages between programmes.
• Have good communication skills and good spoken and written command of English and French.
• Have a good understanding of a programmatic way of working.
• Knowledge about the social, political and cultural contexts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Great Lakes, South Sudan, and knowledge of local languages will be considered an asset.
• Are available to travel to the countries where the programs are being implemented.

We offer
Oxfam Novib is committed to providing you with a competitive, fair and comprehensive pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors. This position is not classified yet. Till the position is classified definitely, scale 9 is the provisional scale. The gross salary will be € 2.607,- to € 4.011,- on the basis of 36 hours per week. The position will be based in The Hague, The Netherlands, with regular travel to the field (Afghanistan, Pakistan, South Sudan, DRC, Rwanda and Burundi).

More information and application procedure
Are you interested? Please send your application letter and CV and mentioning reference number 5-166 to jobs@oxfamnovib.nl, to the attention of Ewa van den Berg, International HR Advisor, before November 14, 2012. For more information on this position, please contact Ton Meijers, Manager KPM +31 70 3421704.