The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) is a non-governmental organisation which envisions societies that are peaceful, equal and free from violence. CSVR aims to understand and prevent violence, heal its effects and build sustainable peace at community, national and regional levels. We do this through collaboration with and learning from the lived and diverse experiences of communities affected by violence and conflict to inform innovative interventions, generate knowledge, shape public discourse, influence policy, hold States accountable and promote gender equality, social cohesion and active citizenship.
CSVR seeks to appoint a Senior Advocacy Officer to be based in its Johannesburg or Cape Town office.
Employment type: One-year contract, renewable dependent on funding.
The Senior Advocacy Officer will report to the Advocacy Programme Manager and be responsible for implementation of aspects of CSVR’s advocacy strategy at local, national and regional levels through 5 focus areas. Namely: (i) policy making and implementation (ii) capacity building and technical support (iii) raising public awareness (iv) partnerships and network building/ social mobilisation and (v) facilitating victims’ interaction with human rights mechanisms. The successful candidate will be part of the CSVR’s Advocacy Team.
Responsibilities:
Public Policy Reform and Development Participation:
Develop and implement strategies for lobbying and advocacy of various national and regional policy making and implementation bodies on portfolio specific thematic areas.
Work with relevant stakeholder groups, expert groups and task teams on advocacy, policy development and implementation processes, including consultation and planning
Develop and present position papers and policy briefs that outline CSVR position on specific thematic issues to various national and regional institutions and policy making bodies (e.g. the right and needs of torture victims)
Draft shadow reports of state reports on relevant issues
Review relevant bills and legislation and provide inputs, and submissions on behalf of the CSVR
Write articles for publication that advance CSVR advocacy message and reflect CSVR priority areas
Capacity Building and Technical Support:
Identify key stakeholders (community groups, civil society organisations, state and regional bodies) relevant to CSVR interventions and thematic focus for capacity and technical support.
Identify capacity and technical knowledge gaps of CSVR stakeholders on relevant CSVR thematic areas
Initiate, coordinate and undertake research and studies on relevant thematic areas
Develop theme and advocacy specific tool-kits, curricula, publications and training materials for use with various stakeholders
Conduct/facilitate training workshops and other technical and advocacy consultations for knowledge transfer and capacity building
Provide technical support and mentorship to key stakeholders
Raising Public Awareness:
Organise, host and facilitate public and closed consultations, dialogues, seminars and debates with and between relevant groups and stakeholders to share information and stimulate discussion on relevant CSVR thematic areas of work. This will include continuous media engagement including responding to media enquiries and requests for interviews on relevant thematic areas.
Participate in external activities to bring attention to CSVR priority thematic areas, share developments in the field, showcase and share findings from CSVR research and its impact on building sustainable peace in society.
Building and Maintaining Partnerships and Networks:
Maintain and develop existing CSVR partnerships and networks; Identify relevant national, regional and international civil society and institutions for the purpose of building networks and partnerships for collaboration;
Create and facilitate information and knowledge sharing platforms with other civil society organisations, national and regional institutions
Facilitating access to Human Rights Mechanisms:
Develop and implement strategies on facilitating access to human rights mechanisms on relevant organisational thematic areas.
Project Management, Monitoring, evaluation and reporting:
Project management, tracking and reporting and supervision of junior project staff and interns.
Competency Profile:
Sound knowledge of violence, conflict and peace building in South Africa and Africa
General understanding of torture prevention and redress, peace building, violence prevention and transitional justice;
Knowledge and experience of African, national regional mechanisms and institutions
Knowledge of national and regional human rights frameworks
Knowledge of key organizations and networks active in the field of human rights, violence prevention and peace building
Policy development and analysis knowledge
Excellent research skills
Excellent writing skills
Excellent planning and organizing skills
Analysis and problem solving skills
Excellent presentation skills
Excellent computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with internet research
Requirements:
Minimum Degree in law or post graduate degree in social sciences with a specialisation in public policy, peace and security, human rights, international relations, transitional justice or other relevant field
At least 3 years’ experience in programmes advancing social justice, peace building, conflict transformation, transitional justice and human rights through advocacy, community organising, social mobilisation, litigation, research or public policy work;
Demonstrable knowledge of national and continental policy making organs and institutions and human rights mechanisms; and
Knowledge of contemporary South African and continental human rights, peace and security and political events.
If you are interested in applying, please send a motivation letter, copy of your most recent CV and one recent writing sample (not more than 6 pages) to [email protected].
For more about the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, refer to www.csvr.org.za