Countering Violent Extremism and Conflict Specialist

Job Title: Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) and Conflict Specialist

Project: USAID/Benin Northern Economic Livelihoods for Youth (NELY) Activity

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories.

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) and Conflict Specialist to be proposed on an anticipated new USAID-funded five-year (USD $30-$40 million) project in Benin to improve community resilience to violent extremism through equitable and diverse economic livelihoods access for youth, women, and vulnerable populations in target moderate to high-risk conflict areas in the North of Benin. The position is contingent upon award.

Job Summary:

The CVE and Conflict Specialist will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of program activities aimed at strengthening governance, conflict prevention and mitigation, intercommunal trust, and community reintegration approaches. The Specialist will supervise technical and program staff involved in the implementation of these activities. S/he will also contribute to the targeted rapid national and department-level conflict analyses as well as the Conflict Sensitive Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Analysis conducted during start-up as well as ensuring ongoing conflict sensitivity and VE assessments in the project’s target localities. S/he will contribute to bi-weekly, quarterly, annual, and final progress reports, and will establish and maintain strong working relationships with relevant local government and civil society stakeholders in northern Benin. The CVE and Conflict Specialist will collaborate closely with other members of the Senior Management Team and will report directly to the Chief of Party. The CVE and Conflict Specialist position will be located in Parakou, with regular project-funded travel throughout the four departments in the North West and North East sub-regions.

Essential Job Functions: Duties and Responsibilities

Oversees Outcome 2 activities in close collaboration with the Chief of Party and participates as a member of the Senior Management Team;

Directly contributes to the development and implementation of high quality and effective Outcome 2 activities, and oversees their implementation by field staff and partners;

Contributes to the targeted rapid national and department-level conflict analyses as well as the Conflict Sensitive Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Analysis conducted during start-up as well as ensuring ongoing conflict sensitivity and VE assessments in the project’s target localities throughout the period of performance;

Contributes to adaptive management and CLA activities and provides substantial written inputs to bi-weekly, quarterly, annual, and final progress reports for USAID;

Contributes to developing solicitations for Grants Under Contract (GUC) to be issued for activities that contribute to Outcome 2: Strengthening governance, conflict prevention and mitigation, intercommunal trust, and community reintegration approaches. Participates in selection of GUC recipients and ensures effective technical monitoring of Outcome 2 GUC-funded activities;

Develops and facilitates Training of Trainers for staff and partners on conflict sensitivity, conflict prevention and resolution, and CVE programming approaches;

Identifies other relevant technical assistance (TA) needs of partners and/or government counterparts and provides/organizes TA through training, mentorship, and/or on-site supervision;

Supervises four staff across the project’s field offices who are responsible for implementing and supporting activities contributing to Outcome 2; and

Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with relevant local government and civil society stakeholders in northern Benin.

Qualifications and Requirements

Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, Behavioral/Social Sciences, International Development, Human Development or other Related Field;

Eight (8) or more years of relevant experience working on complex development projects, including any related to preventing or countering violent extremism, conflict resolution and peacebuilding, community resilience, governance, reintegration, improving livelihoods of women and youth, inclusive development, or other related areas;

Technical expertise in preventing and countering violent extremism, peace and security, conflict mitigation, conflict sensitivity, community engagement, youth engagement and empowerment, and/or local governance and service delivery;

Experience working on USAID or other donor programs in northern Benin is preferred;

Proven effectiveness in providing technical direction and supervision to program teams;

Proven effectiveness in working effectively with local stakeholders and local partner organizations, and coordinating closely with implementers of other projects;

Excellent report writing, analytical, and communication skills, including oral presentation skills;

Fluency in speaking, reading and writing French, and professional proficiency in English required. Additional local language(s) spoken in norther Benin is preferred.

Local candidates are encouraged to apply.

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

Availability of position is contingent upon award to FHI 360. Selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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