Life and Peace Institute Senior Policy Advisor
Background
The Life & Peace Institute (LPI) is an international centre that supports and promotes nonviolent approaches to conflict transformation through a combination of research and action that entails the strengthening of existing local capacities and enhancing the preconditions for building peace.
LPI envisions a world where peace, justice and non-violent relations prevail through people’s active work and commitment.
LPI works with a variety of local and regional partners in the Horn of Africa region, Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia and Great Lakes region, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
For the past four years, LPI has been implementing its Horn of Africa Regional Programme (HARP) based in Addis Ababa.
This policy-focused programme aims primarily at supporting civil society and academia in the Horn of Africa (HoA) to work together with regional and continental policy actors to address key peace and conflict issues.
In order to achieve this aim, HARP provides capacity support to civil society in policy engagement and analysis, works directly with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union (AU), as well as informs policy through research, publications (e.g. the Horn of Africa Bulletin) and facilitating policy dialogue between policy actors and non-state actors on the ground.
Position Summary
The Senior Policy Advisor will be responsible for the effective implementation of LPI’s regional policy advocacy efforts and monitoring progress towards our policy goals, in close collaboration with the HARP Team Leader, HARP team, Head of Addis Ababa Regional Office and Director of Global Policy.
He/she excels both at effective policy engagement in the HoA context on issues related to peace and conflict and brings a wealth of experience working with stakeholders from government, regional organisations and economic communities – especially the AU and IGAD, as well as civil society.
He/she is a great networker and communicator.
The Senior Policy Advisor will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with regular travel to programme implementation locations.
Relations within the organisation
Line Manager: HARP Manager/Team Leader
Working relations: Addis programme staff, Head of Addis Office, Director of Global Policy, programme staff in other LPI offices as required, Addis Office Finance & Admin staff
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Senior Policy Advisor will be responsible for effective leadership in the implementation of LPI’s regional policy advocacy efforts and monitoring progress towards our policy goals, in close coordination with line managers and LPI colleagues. Her/his main tasks will consist of, but are not limited to:
Nurturing existing partner relationships and MoUs (both with civil society, academia, IGAD and the AU) and overseeing engagement processes with partners
Liaising with representatives of the diplomatic community, the AU and IGAD, as well as other regional economic communities as required
Identifying the space and opportunities where LPI might support the peacebuilding and conflict prevention efforts and policy processes of the AU and IGAD; providing consistent support to the HARP and partners in studying and influencing policies and strategies of the AU and IGAD
Initiating partnership discussions and liaising with stakeholders in countries of the Horn of Africa including with representatives of governments, national institutions and civil society organisations
Developing and maintaining an extensive network of expertise on the HoA and building a database of key experts for LPI
Providing a synthesised and up-to-date periodic analysis of political developments and trends in the Horn of Africa (situating them where helpful in the broader historical, political and social context)
Conducting a mapping of conflict stakeholders in the region
Assessing the impact on LPI
of intra-regional policy and political issues
Briefing LPI senior leadership on political perspectives and foreign policy positions which have an impact on the mission of LPI; providing, as appropriate, suggestions, recommendations and possible actions by LPI
Drafting funding proposals, background papers, talking points and speeches as required
Supporting the planning and implementation of LPI events taking place in the HoA region
Providing technical inputs and partaking in the review and editing of the Horn of Africa Bulletin
Supporting LPI country programmes and local and regional partners in their respective and joint policy advocacy work, primarily (but not exclusively) aimed at the regional level, including developing and delivering relevant policy and communications trainings
Leading the identification/development of appropriate and systematic methodology for translating analysis to policy inputs
Leading the planning and conduct of multi-stakeholder/level policy dialogues
Regularly monitoring relevant regional policy processes, issues and the overall policy environment
Driving the production of online and offline policy-related communication products for the regional programme, especially policy briefs, and advising on media engagements in line with LPI’s Communication Policy
Documenting LPI’s and other actors’ best practices and partaking in inter- and intra-organisational exchanges on bridging analysis to policy gaps as well as effective peacebuilding policy work
Supporting HARP’s work in the thematic areas of cross-border cooperation and Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD)
Participating in and contributing to other tasks as assigned by the line manager, as needed for the implementation of the HARP
Adhering to all LPI policies and guiding principles including but not limited to the Code of Conduct.
The successful candidate will be offered a one-year contract with the possibility of extension based on performance. The position will be full time, with an average 40 hours of work per week.
Experience and skills
MA degree in one of the following disciplines: peace and conflict studies (preferred), social sciences, political science, international relations, or other related fields
Minimum of 8-10 years working experience from government, peacebuilding and/or policy engagement at HoA/ Pan-Africa level
Knowledge and understanding of policymaking processes, the AU and IGAD, the role these and other regional institutions play in peace and security, as well as issues relating to human security, regional integration and conflict dynamics in the HoA
Experience in drafting policy documents and speeches, networking with different stakeholders and identifying and engaging in windows for policy engagement
Proven ability to network, speak, write and communicate effectively, and to tailor messages to diverse audiences
Experience in successfully operating in an international environment with people from
diverse backgrounds and cultures
Ability to provide technical and thought leadership in multi-cultural, cross-functional teams
Experience in solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in
Sound analytical skills, attention to detail and ability to think strategically
Willingness to travel widely, often at short notice and in conflict and crisis-affected settings
Experience in PCRD, cross-border cooperation and engaging civil society actors is desired
Ability to work in English is essential; other AU or IGAD working languages and Amharic are preferred
Commitment to LPI’s values.
How to apply
Please submit your application by 15 August 2018 to: applications.addisababa@life-peace.org Applications must be in English and include a detailed CV, a policy-focused writing sample (max. 10 pages) and a concise cover letter explaining why you should be hired as Senior Policy Advisor in LPI’s Horn of Africa Regional Programme.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. We thank you for your interest and look forward to receiving your application. By 15th August, 2018
