Project Manager for the Peacebuilding Program At Concordis International

Information on the Central African Border Zones Program:

The objective of the programme is to prevent and mitigate the impact of local conflicts in the border areas of the Central African Republic (CAR), Cameroon, Chad and Darfur, Sudan. All four countries rely heavily on agro-pastoral activities, including cross-border transhumance: the seasonal movement of livestock across borders in search of good pastures.

The four-year programme aims to address the root causes of instability and conflict in Central Africa, particularly those associated with the practice of transhumance, by improving the resilience of cross-border communities, strengthening local and border security and promoting local dialogue, conflict resolution and cross-border cooperation.

The programme builds on the work that Concordis has been carrying out with local communities in CAR and Sudan for over ten years and which it was recently invited by local representatives to extend to the border areas of Chad and Cameroon.

The program has three specific objectives:

1. Manage agro-pastoral conflicts in border areas by establishing and/or supporting local community mechanisms for conflict prevention and management, with the active participation of women and young people.
2. Reduce illegal actions and agro-pastoral conflicts in and around protected areas (including national parks) near the border by establishing effective working partnerships between managers of these areas and local stakeholders.
3. Strengthen cross-border local governance and contribute to local and high-level dialogues around conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

Program activities will include:

1. Consultation studies to understand the needs of local communities and identify conflict drivers.
2. Strengthen or establish Local Advisory Groups for conflict prevention and management and to strengthen the resilience of local communities.
3. Workshops to address the root causes of conflict and identify ways to transform conflict.
4. Training of protected area managers, including national parks, and local communities using the areas in conflict resolution and mediation to enable them to identify and resolve tensions and conflicts around park use.
5. Facilitating cross-border agreements, building on the success of existing agreements, including the Laws of Engagement between local authorities in the CAR and Chad.

The nature of this regional programme means that the approach will change depending on the local nuances of the conflict. This flexibility will be essential in Darfur, Sudan, where activities may need to be adapted with agility in response to a rapidly changing context.

Role Information:

Job Title: Project Manager for the Chad program

Location: Am Timan, Salamat

Report: Responsible for Peacebuilding in Chad

Supervision: The Project Manager will lead a team consisting of a Finance Manager, a Program Manager, two Program Officers, a Driver, a Housekeeper and Security Guards.

Salary: €3,000 to €3,600 per month (depending on tax implications), 33 days annual leave (plus R&R, local accommodation and food in country)

Functions and Responsibilities:

Management of the Concordis Project in the CAR

• Maintain quality standards in programming and financial management in accordance with the provisions of the contract with the donor, including the logical framework, budget and timetable, as well as the principles, mission and values ​​of Concordis and international standards for programming in peacebuilding;

• Provide training to civil society actors and project partners on dialogue facilitation, conflict analysis, conflict management, organizational management, fundraising, financial reporting, project monitoring and evaluation;
• Facilitate peacebuilding workshops if necessary;
• Research and update conflict analyses in the prefecture, develop a detailed understanding of the context and dynamics with neighboring countries in order to expand or adapt the program to meet evolving needs;
• Prepare and edit programme reports for donors, for the UK office and for publication;
• Ensure that all activities are properly monitored and evaluated, and contribute to the evolution of Concordis’ evaluation systems;

Team management

• Supervise work teams and staff in the region where the project manager will be based (Logone Orientale, Salamat) by ensuring training and supervision of staff, and recruiting new employees as needed;
• Ensure that Concordis staff and staff of partner organisations, working on programmes funded by Concordis, comply with international and local policy, guidelines and best practices on safeguarding, security, monitoring and evaluation and financial accountability;

Network development

• Building networks of key stakeholders in the relevant prefectures, ensuring inclusive participation of those who might otherwise boycott or try to spoil the process, and those who might be excluded. This includes women as well as men, herders as well as farmers, rural as well as urban, those who take up arms and those who choose not to;
• Represent Concordis in engagement and advocacy with local authorities and national governments in the region, striving to align the programme with their policy objectives where possible, and seeking their support and active participation;
• Engage proactively with other national and international actors working in the same space and prefecture, coordinating programming, generating synergies, developing partnerships and generating practical and financial support for projects;

Compliance

• Ensure that Concordis complies with and understands national government laws and regulations in all areas of business;
• Ensure program compliance with Concordis policies, procedures and systems for program administration, finance, program management, backup and security;
• Support the review, update and implementation of Concordis policies, procedures and systems, to ensure they are fit for purpose and consistent with current best practice standards;

Other

• Contribute to the development of Concordis’ peacebuilding methodology, policy, strategy, monitoring and evaluation;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in NGOs/international organizations specializing in conflict resolution, peacebuilding; and/or in international development in complex environments, preferably in the Sahel/Central Africa region;
• At least 2 years of experience in NGO project management;
• Training and/or experience in dialogue facilitation, mediation or similar fields
• Master’s degree in international relations, international development, conflict resolution/crisis management, or similar disciplines
• Full professional skills in French (written and spoken). Fluency in Arabic and English is desirable. The candidate must be able to write technical documents and reports for donors in French.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both oral and written
• Good command of IT tools, particularly the Microsoft Office suite and data analysis and processing tools
• Knowing how to be efficient, resourceful, organized, flexible and knowing how to stay in a good mood, even in difficult situations
• Ability to grasp sensitive issues relating to cultural differences and political issues, and to be able to approach them with tact, diplomacy and sensitivity.
• Demonstrate commitment to the missions, principles and values ​​carried by Concordis (available here https://concordis.international/vision-and-purpose )

Wish :

• Work experience in Chad
• Fluency in Arabic, English
• Experience in team management, preferably in the field of international development and/or in conflict zones
• Practical experience and/or training in security management in NGOs.