PeaceBuilding Assistant

Overall purpose of the role: 

• The Peacebuilding Assistant will support the ABLI Garissa 2 Project in implementing HDP project component within Garissa County, especially as it relates to operational oversight and implementation of activities by Project Facilitators/Assistants. This includes, but not limited to tasks related to planning and implementation of peacebuilding project activities, management and monitoring of activity budgets; preparation of high quality narrative activity reporting; monitoring and evaluation of peacebuilding interventions in the field for refugee/host communities and technical oversight of peacebuilding community workers based in camps as delegated by the TL, adherence to DRC security procedures and regulations, representation of HDP in Garissa as delegated by TL; adherence to DRC standard regulations and operational procedures (including the Code of Conduct, the DRC Programme Manual and administrative regulations.
•  The position holder will work with a team of HDP unit staffs which include an officer, assistants, general support and Interns.

Duties & Responsibilities: Responsibilities: 
Project Management and Development:

• Act as primary link between the assigned target communities and DRC.
• Responsible for assisting locational authorities in target areas with selecting target communities in accordance with DRC selection criteria and process.
• Liaise with community leaders and local government authorities about the security in the assigned target communities (i.e. community entry).
• Provide inputs and participate in the baseline study and context area security incidents and management processes.
• Facilitate community entry and ABLI-Garissa project planning processes in target communities and ensure the representation and participation of all socio-economic groups in the communities.
• Facilitate awareness and dialogue activities aimed at reducing armed violence, including:       
• Activities to strengthen local conflict management capacity, 
• Activities to change mind sets underlying conflict to mind sets committed to peace, including community perceptions of humanitarian-development and peace nexus.
• Activities to promote better collaboration between local communities and formal security providers.
• Monitor the implementation of the project activities by the assigned target communities and support communities to improve implementation;
• Provide inputs and participate in the development of Improving Local Security and Management Concept.
• Ensure that all tasks allocated by the Team Leader are executed promptly, efficiently and in accordance with DRC operational guidelines.
• Take good care of all assigned equipment including computers and communication equipment.
• Ensure that there are receipts for all expenses and compile all receipts according to DRC financial guidelines by the end of each week financial reporting period and submit to the relevant departments.
• Fully adhere to DRC’s procedures for security, financial management, logistics, human resources and administration.
• Uphold DRC’s Code of Conduct.

Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation

• Carry out data collection for project baseline and for Monitoring and Evaluation of project implementation;
• Ensure that all monitoring forms and monitoring activities are duly maintained by the team;
• Ensure that internal activity reports are consistently done in a timely manner and meets the expected standard, based on agreed formats and schedules;
• Submit weekly, monthly and quarterly reports to the TL (using agreed format);
• Conduct evaluation of the activities and propose amendments to the content of the sessions, conduct of the sessions, teaching methods and adequacy of teaching materials and propose material development.

Coordination & Partnerships

• Ensure smooth coordination with sub-county, division, location and sub-location authorities for the implementation of activities;
• Ensure coordination with the security providers, invite them to activities and share information with them on the activities on a need to know basis;
• Ensure a good coordination with other NGOs, consortium partners and civil societies in the area of work to avoid duplication of activities, clash of activities date and ensure cooperation;
• Promote collaboration and synergy between the DRC host community projects and the similar projects/groups in the refugee camps

Experience and technical competencies: 

• A minimum of 2 years working experience in peacebuilding and livelihood programs. 
• Exceptional understanding of local dynamics that lead to armed violence (ideally in arid and Semi-Arid parts of Kenya).
• Substantial knowledge of the Kenya political system from community to national level;
• Open-minded and committed to finding non-violent ways to mitigate conflict and promote inter-communal peace and collaboration.
• Cultural and gender sensitivity.
• A team player: able to demonstrate a constructive, cooperative and problem-solving approach.
• Experience with community peace and/or development work.
• Experience of working in insecure environments. 
• Strong ability to communicate constructively to various different groups of people including; community (elders, women, men, youths, spiritual leaders etc.), Security providers (NPRs, Police, APs), Government officials (DCCs, ACCs, Chiefs and County Administrators) etc.
• Ability to use IT equipment effectively including computers and mobile phones.

Education

• A university Degree or Diploma preferably in Peace studies, Conflict Management, Social sciences or closely related field 

Language:

• Written and spoken fluency in English, Kiswahili and Somali languages

Key stakeholders: 

• All staff
• Government Officials
• Local and International agencies

About you:  
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:  

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.   
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.   
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.   
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.   
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.