[CivilSoc] Russian and/or French-Speaking Program Officer for Security and Peacebuilding Programme

[Moderator]

PROGRAMME OFFICER FOR SECURITY & PEACEBUILDING
JOB DESCRIPTION--APRIL 2003
BACKGROUND
International Alert is an independent non-governmental organisation, which
analyses the causes of conflict within countries, enables mediation and
dialogue to take place, sets standards of conduct that avoid violence, and
helps develop the skills necessary to resolve conflict. International Alert
also conducts policy orientated research and advocacy aimed at promoting
sustainable peace.
The Security and Peacebuilding Programme seeks to influence and enable the
processes and agents of security to contribute to sustainable peace.  It
undertakes this through a process of research, tools development, dialogue,
communication, capacity building, process orientated research, policy and
advocacy work to improve understanding, policy and operational practice.
There are currently three broad thematic areas in which the programme works;
Small Arms and Light Weapons, Security Sector Reform and the Privatisation
of Security.  The Programme currently has the following distinct projects
for the year 2003 in addition to general activities in line with the
promotion of its goals.
1. Monitoring the Implementation of Small Arms Controls (MISAC). This
project seeks to work in three Regions (Eurasia, Latin America and West
Africa) to assess the ability of states and civil society to implement the
international small arms limitation conventions which they have engaged
with.
2. Promoting the regulation of Private Security Companies in Central America
especially Honduras.
3. A Goal Orientated Approach to Security Sector Reform which seeks to test
an analytical tool in a number of different post-conflict states promoting
the appropriate targeting of SSR policy using a human security prism.
4. Towards A Better Practice Framework in Security Sector Reform. This
project is intended to promote and test better practice in SSR through
developing an analytical tool to conduct evaluations of lessons learned in
countries which have conduced reform processes.
It is a strategic and operational focus of the programme to ensure closer
complimentarily and synergy between its activities and initiatives of IA's
other regional and thematic programmes.
The position offered is a Programme Officer position, requiring the holder
to work across the various initiatives and projects of the programme. The
position will be initially for 6 months with a possibility of extension
subject to successful fundraising. During the initial 6-month contract the
Programme Officer will primarily be working on a project addressing the
Monitoring the Implementation of Small Arms Controls in Eurasia and West
Africa.
JOB PURPOSE
To support, develop and implement projects within International Alert's
Security and Peacebuilding Programme. In particular, to work with partner
NGOs in each region in conducting consultations with government and security
sector actors.  This position will be responsible for developing and
implementing the MISAC project in:
1. Conducting and overseeing partner relations in the relevant areas
2. Writing policy papers and operational guidance aimed at influencing
donors and government's implementation of existing international commitments
to regulate the expert and transhipment of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
3. Designing and implementing advocacy activities at a policy and
operational level on issues of Small Arms and Light Weapons
4. Conceptualising and organising outreach activities and other events in
the UK and abroad especially a series of consultations in either West Africa
or Eastern Eurasia
RESPONSIBLE TO: The Programme Manager for Security & Peacebuilding
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Volunteers, interns and external consultants as appropriate
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To lead the implementation of the West African and/or Eastern Eurasian
segment of one project of the programme (Monitoring the Implementation of
Small Arms Controls) under the supervision of the Programme Manager.
2. To aid in the effective delivery of other projects within the Security
and Peacebuilding Programme.
3. To aid in the production, commissioning and editing of papers on
practical policy issues which may involve the management of external
consultants.
4. To conduct outreach and network with other organisations working areas of
interest to the programme and establish collaborative activities and
strategic alliances in order to implement programme activities. And to build
the capacity of partner NGOs to work on the issue of Small Arms and Light
Weapons specifically and security issues more generally.
5. To write and edit a range of written products relevant to the programme
including: policy reports, briefings for decision-makers and donors,
discussion documents, operational guidance documents, and articles for
newsletters.
6. To design and organise programme events including: conferences, seminars,
workshops, outreach meetings, and consultations.
7. To help devise fund-raising strategies, develop proposals for new
projects, liase with donors and be responsible for reporting of programme
activities to funders and as part of internal reporting procedures.
8. To help manage systems for the effective implementation of the programme,
including: budgets; databases of contacts; information gathering; filing of
project resources; policy monitoring and dissemination of programme papers
and other materials.
9. To assist in the management and delivery of induction in the processes,
knowledge and approach of the Programme to new members of staff.
10. To develop internal communications within International Alert of the
programme and in particular to brief and keep informed International Alert
personnel and programmes (including regional programmes and the
Secretary-General) on critical issues relating to development and
peacebuilding.
11. To assist in mounting and developing initiatives to ensure greater
complimentarily between the work on the Security & Peacebuilding Programme
and other thematic and regional programmes within International Alert.
12. To assist in the development and implementation of external
communication strategy for the Programme.
13. To represent the Security and Peacebuilding  Programme in relevant
internal processes and forums when the Programme Co-ordinator is
unavailable.
14. To represent International Alert and be a spokesperson for the
organisation at relevant external conferences, seminars and other meetings.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
· Post-graduate degree in political science, international relations,
anthropology, development studies, economics, political science,
international public law, conflict / peace studies, area studies or other
relevant social science or humanities discipline;
· Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of Small Arms and Light Weapons
proliferation at both the theoretical and practical levels;
· Minimum of two year's relevant work experience in a policy or operational
agency;
· Excellent understanding of development institutions, particularly
strategic and operational aspects of international security organisations
and international SALW limitation agreements;
· Understanding of principle development/humanitarian policymaking
institutions and developing advocacy strategies;
· Demonstrable research and writing skills in issues related to
peacebuilding and/or development
· Good project management skills;
· Good analytical and problem-solving skills;
· Good communication and inter-personal skills;
· Self-starter and good team player;
· Sense of humour and humility;
· Fluent spoken and written English (to publishable standard) and a good
working knowledge of Russian and/or French;
· Willingness and ability to travel to conflict environments for up to 4 out
of any 12 months
· Demonstrable familiarity with either West Africa (ideally the Mano River
Union) or Eastern Eurasia (ideally Central Asia)
Desirable:
· Experience working within a conflict prevention, development or
humanitarian agency;
· Familiarity with process orientated research
· Knowledge of the issues of Security Sector Reform and/or the Privatisation
of Security
· Publications covering relevant policy and operational areas;
· Knowledge of macro-processes of security
· Specific post-graduate academic research experience in development
studies, conflict transformation, or peacebuilding;
· Experience in managing funding relations and developing funding proposals;
· Experience in developing operational guidance and/or conducting trainings;
· Ability to converse in Spanish, or any other relevant language;
· Experience of living or working in a conflict setting.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Contract: 35 hours per week, 6 months, possibility of renewal.
Commitments: Ability to travel up to 2 months out of 6.
Salary: £20,595 - £21,948
Benefits: 25 days holiday per annum (12.5 days over the duration of the
contract) in addition to English Public Holidays.
Anticipated Start Date: 1st of June 2003.
This post is funded by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland through the joint support of following Ministries;
Department for International Development (DFID), Ministry of Defence and the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
International Alert is striving to be an equal opportunities employer and
welcomes applications regardless of race, gender, disability or sexual
orientation.  International Alert is a non-smoking office.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please forward a completed copy of IA's application form, and a completed
copy of the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form, both of which can be
downloaded from our website <http://www.international-alert.org?>  and
forward to the HR Officer, International Alert, 346 Clapham Road, London SW9
9AP or Fax: 020 7627 6800. We regret that CV's are not acceptable.
Closing date: Friday 16th May  at 5pm.
Unfortunately, due to the volume of response we can only respond to
shortlisted candidates.