Mediation & Peace Building Officer

Southern African Development Community (SADC)

The SADC Secretariat invites suitably qualified, experienced, innovative, result oriented and self-driven individuals to apply for the following positions under the Enhancing the Capability and Effectiveness of SADC’S Peace and Security Architecture (ECESPA) Project at SADC Secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana.

Mediation & Peace Building Officer – Grade 6

Primary Purpose of the Job

Coordination and implementation of programmes on mediation and peacebuilding and the provision of advice on regional and international political developments

Enhance SADC’s mediation and peacebuilding capacity

Enhance the State of peace and stability in the region

Duties and Responsibilities

Harmonisation

  • Work in Collaboration with the Mediation and Peace Building Officer, Electoral Support Unit and other Units within the Organ and other Directorates/Units on interrelated interventions concerning conflict, elections, gender and youth issues,
    governance and human security.

Research and Information Dissemination

  • Support all activities related to Conflict prevention, management and resolution under the ECESPA Project in support of the Politics and Diplomacy Unit;
  • Collaborate with other Organ sectors on conflict preventative measures;
  • Conduct data collection on the state of mediation and peacebuilding in the region, using primary and secondary research techniques;
  • Identify research and academic institutions to undertake studies on specific priority areas, commission the studies, and use the findings to inform planning;
  • Coordinate engagement with research and academic institutions and other stakeholders
  • Development and maintenance of a database / observatory on Think Tanks operating in the fields of mediation conflict prevention, resolution, management, transformation and peacebuilding;
  • Publish research and dissemination data through the SADC website, other media or through reports to SADC Institutions and Member States
  • Reviews reports, case studies, policies and Terms of References submitted by consultants

Strategic Planning, Programming and Implementation

  • Development of long-term, medium- and short-term strategic plans for the SADC Mediation, Conflict Prevention and Preventative Diplomacy Structures;
  • Formulate Strategic Plans for adoption by various policy structures;
  • Undertake periodic reviews of the strategic plans;
  • Prepare annual work and action plans;
  • Implement ECESPA project Workplans and Strategic plans as they relate to the Politics and Diplomacy Unit and the programme’s contribution to the RISDP 2020-2030;
  • Implementation of all activities under the ECESPA project in support of the ISPDC, MRG, POE and other specialised committees, including amongst others:
    • Communication and cooperation links within SADC countries, between SADC and the AU Commission / AU institutions;
    • Diplomatic initiatives to promote a culture of peaceful co-existence, stability and tolerance in the region;
    • Promotion of mediation and peacebuilding activities such as awareness programmes;
    • Regional centres of excellence for the exchange and sharing of political and diplomatic experiences;
    • Rendering of professional services to SADC Peace Support Operations (PSOs);
    • Strengthening of institutions that promote peaceful co-existence and stability within Member States;
    • bolster support systems of the Mediation, Conflict Prevention and preventative Diplomacy Structures;
  • Advise the Senior Officer – Politics and Diplomacy on regional and international developments with an impact on the region’s political stability;
  • Contribute to the development of a normative framework for the promotion of a culture of peace as part of the SADC Early Warning Systems;
  • Work with the ECESPA Programme Manager on the efficient and proper usage of funding for project implementation;
  • Work with the ECESPA programme Manager on evaluations, audits and close out activities of the project;
  • Attend all programme meetings, including Technical Committee (TC) meetings, Programme Steering Committee (PSC) meetings and provide support in developing Annotated Agendas (AA), documentation and record keeping during these meetings;
  • Contribute to the production monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports of the ECESPA Programme;
  • Support and convene capacity building and technical workshops on conflict prevention and mediation for prioritized target groups;
  • Work with project staff and consultants towards the realization of the sector’s strategic objectives;
  • Monitor implementation of programmes/projects by Member States in line with developed indicators, systems and criteria and evaluate their impact;
  • Prepare reports, documents and Annotated Agenda for submission to various policy structures of SADC;
  • Contribute to the development of the SADC Annual Report;
  • Identify and build relationships with external stakeholders that are critical to delivering the unit’s objectives and programmes
  • Engage with key external stakeholders on a regular basis;
    • Encourage a culture of consultation among political stakeholders;
    • Organise roundtable discussions to deliberate on the involvement of civil society in Organ activities;
  • Liaise with other directorates to ensure mainstreaming of cross cutting issues (e.g. Youth, Gender, HIV/AIDS, Poverty, ICT, STI etc.) into Organ programmes;
  • Ensure joint / synergised planning and programming for programmes that have cross-cutting implications / linkages with other programme units in the Secretariat.

Servicing of Relevant Technical & Policy Committees, Meetings & Workshops

  • Draft technical papers for discussion, dissemination and publication;
  • Liaise with Conference Services unit to (a) organise the logistics for the meetings and workshops, and (b) process / produce the necessary meeting and conference documents and presentations;
  • Coordinate the holding of the Inter-State Politics and Diplomacy Committee (ISPDC), Mediation Reference Group (MRG), Panel of Elders (POE) and Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) meetings and workshops and service the meetings as required; Prepare records of the meetings.

Provision of technical advice and support

  • Provide technical expertise, analysis of mediation and peacebuilding trends, advice and support;
  • Provide technical support to members of the MRG, POE and ISPDC;
  • Participate in SADC mediation and peacebuilding interventions as necessary and appropriate;
  • Update and implement policies, strategies, processes, systems and procedures for the effective delivery of the unit’s objectives;
  • Participate in the formulation and development of the Organisational Strategy for the Secretariat; Develop short- and long-term plans and budgets for the unit,monitor progress, assure adherence and evaluate performance on a regular
    basis;
  • Achieve the mission goals and objectives of the unit, and report progress to the Senior Officer – Politics and Diplomacy;
  • Assist the Audit teams in their review of this function, and implement audit recommendations as and when they are made;
  • Research and adopt best practices in own area of work, and maintain high level of knowledge to effectively undertake the duties of the post;
  • Provide administrative and logistical support for projects, initiatives, and programs;
  • Draft memos, reports and correspondence, and assists with the development of project/program/training materials;
  • Undertake any other duties as delegated by the Senior Officer – Politics and Diplomacy.

Capacity Building on Mediation and Peacebuilding

  • Keep abreast of international evolvement of global trends in the areas of mediation and peacebuilding, and disseminate these to members of the MRG, POE, ISPDC, MCO and Member States as appropriate;
  • Conceptualise, plan and coordinate the roll out of training programmes and seminars in the areas of mediation and peacebuilding for relevant stakeholders;
  • Facilitate and/or moderates sessions during capacity building trainings and workshops.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

  • Masters Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Law or related field from a recognised institution.

Professional Certification

  • Political Studies, Security Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies or other related studies is an added advantage.

Specialised knowledge

  • Knowledge of mediation and peacebuilding processes, frameworks and norms
  • Proficient in the use of computers and computer software relevant to the position.

Experience

  • Experience in project coordination, management and networks / partnership building would be desirable;
  • Experience in project cycle management, project coordination, monitoring and evaluation is an added advantage.
  • At least five (5) years work experience in an institution relevant to the professional requirements outlined above.

Skills & Competencies Requirements

  • Communication and diplomacy skills
  • Computerised desktop publishing and production skills
  • Conflict and crisis management skills
  • Decision-making skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Leadership skills
  • Mentoring and coaching skills
  • Project management skills
  • Negotiation, persuasion, advocacy, networking and relationship building skills
  • Organisational skills (planning, budgeting, time management)
  • Research, analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Team building skills
  • Apply interpersonal styles/methods to develop, motivate and empower individuals toward achievement of goals
  • Capable of maintaining quality whilst working under pressure and adhering to deadlines
  • Capacity to motivate and influence people positively, and create a climate where people want to do their best
  • Conceptual and practical thinking
  • Customer focused
  • Decisive
  • Organisational awareness with an understanding of how to engage the organisation to get things done
  • Maintain confidentiality and is respectful of sensitive situations
  • Methodical and organised, and able to look at the big picture without losing the attention to details
  • Politically savvy i.e. identify internal and external politics that impact the Secretariat’s work, and act accordingly
  • Professionalism and adherence to good work ethics
  • Question conventional approaches and encourage new ideas and innovations for progress
  • Resilience and personal drive, self-motivation
  • Results and performance driven
  • Visionary, thinks and acts strategically

Contract duration for the above positions is from the date of assumption of duty until June 2028, in line with project duration.

For detailed job descriptions and Submission of applications, please visit the following link :  https://sadc.mcidirecthire.com/external/currentopportunities

Applicants are advised to apply online by attaching Motivation Letter, CV’s, certified copies of educational, professional certificates and references. Applications with inadequate supporting documents will not be considered.

Only applicants who meet the requirements of the SADC Secretariat will be considered for interview. Should you not hear from the SADC Secretariat within two months after the closing date, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful.

Closing Date:  Applications must be submitted not later than or on 21 August 2024

Applications received through any other sources will not be considered.