The Good Offices for Peace Section resides within the Secretariat’s Governance and Peace Directorate. The objective of the Commonwealth’s Good Offices for Peace programme is to contribute to the prevention and resolution of conflicts/tensions and to assist members to adhere to the Commonwealth’s fundamental values and principles.
Working directly under the supervision of the Head of Good Offices for Peace, it is expected that the postholder will strengthen the capacity of Commonwealth Secretariat’s Good Offices efforts to understand intersectional conflict dynamics across the Commonwealth that affect peace and development prospects, and to support member states in leading appropriate responses and preventive initiatives. The postholder will provide ongoing support and analysis, and offer strategic and technical leadership to the design and implementation of conflict prevention activities as well as conflict-sensitive development programming, more broadly.
To be considered you will need to have a degree in a relevant subject such as political science, law or international relations, and a post graduate degree in a relevant field. You will need to have specialised training in conflict management, negotiation and mediation; strong research skills with relevant evidence of published work; evidence of strong project management experience; and a minimum of five years’ experience in a competitive and demanding environment with relevant field experience.
You will also need sound knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of conflict prevention, post-conflict, peace-building, good governance, human rights and development-related issues. You will need to be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with staff at all levels of matrixed organisations and with government officials, civil society, the diplomatic corps, and development partners. You will need to demonstrate sensitivity, tact and diplomacy; and be culturally sensitive and demonstrates appreciation for different cultures and practices. Strong research skills are required; as well as the ability to write clearly with evidence of “publishable” quality work in the form of studies, reports, analysis, project proposals/documents. You will need to be able to present to high-level audiences clearly and with authority; demonstrate strong coordination and facilitation skills; have solid knowledge in project management and results-based management; and be self-motivated and able to recommend options for resolution of issues.
Please apply by submitting a CV and cover letter. Covering letters should be structured to address the key criteria required in the person specification, giving clear examples.
To join us, you must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country.
Closing date 1 December 2020 at 17:00 GMT
Apply here!