Tracking Code: 219930-927
Job Location: Yangon, , Myanmar [Burma]
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular
Job Description
PROGRAM SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps is launching a 6-month project to support
civilian ceasefire monitoring in Myanmar’s ethnic states. The program is
attached to a larger, 3 ½ year program that aims to promote development,
strengthen local capacity to respond to local needs, and build social cohesion
in Kayah State, one of Myanmar’s ethnic states. The proposed “Support to
Civilian Ceasefire Monitoring” (SCCM) project aims to strengthen civilian
ceasefire monitoring (CCM) in Myanmar through a two-pronged approach: 1.)
Providing technical assistance to the Kayah State Peace Monitoring Network
(KSPMN) to support their ceasefire monitoring activities. A Mercy Corps team
comprised of an international Technical Advisor and national Program
Coordinator will work alongside the civilian peace monitoring network in Kayah
State to build their technical capacity in ceasefire monitoring and develop the
materials required to support effective ceasefire monitoring. Key technical
assistance activities will include training workshops and developing CCM
materials, including a manual, reporting templates, incident database, and
training curriculum for monitors. 2.) Supporting national-level learning and
technical coordination across civilian ceasefire monitoring networks and
implementing agencies. Mercy Corps will support cross-learning and coordination
among civilian CCM networks and implementing agencies in Myanmar, including
providing management and coordination support for a national CCM working group,
hosting an exchange visit by representatives of CCM networks in Aceh and
Mindanao, and supporting the documentation and sharing of lessons learned to
date by civilian ceasefire monitoring networks in Myanmar.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Technical Advisor – Civilian Ceasefire Monitoring is
responsible for the management and implementation of the SCCM project and
activities. In close collaboration with the national Program Coordinator, s/he
is responsible for coordinating and organizing cross-learning activities among
civilian ceasefire monitoring networks across Myanmar, documenting lessons
learned and best practices about CCM in Myanmar, and providing technical
assistance to KSPMN including leading the development of CCM materials in close
partnership with KSPMN. In addition, s/he will manage the SCCM budget and be
responsible for the gathering and dissemination of relevant and accurate
information to enable informed decision making, and maximization of impact.
S/he will represent the SCCM project to other bodies and ensure effective
coordination with other actors and programs supporting CCM. Strong
facilitation, coordination, and communication skills are required, including
strong writing and analysis skills. The Technical Advisor will work closely
with KSPMN, other CCM networks, and local and international actors supporting
CCM in Myanmar and will supervise the national Program Coordinator. S/he will
need to be highly sensitive to the political and conflict dynamics of the
region and possess a fine sense of cultural sensitivity, spirit of collaboration,
and respect for local actors. Contingent on funding, the position may be
extended beyond the expected 6 months of the SCCM project.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
National learning and coordination
- Lead
the implementation of national-level cross-learning and coordination
activities (Including: convening, planning, and facilitating
meetings/workshops; developing strong relationships and maintaining
communications with local and international CCM actors; and documenting
resources, lessons learned, and best practices).
- Work
closely with local CCM actors to mobilize support for and establish a
national CCM working group and Steering Committee.
- Act
as a secretariat for the working group and Steering Committee including
developing agendas, managing meeting logistics, taking minutes, and
maintaining communications between members between working sessions.
- Lead
information sharing workshops with donors and INGOs working on CCM in
Myanmar.
- Organize
a 3-day national-level workshop on CCM, including representatives from CCM
networks across Myanmar and abroad.
- Collect
and inventory CCM resources currently in use in Myanmar (e.g., manuals,
report formats, reporting and information flow charts), producing a
library and inventory of resources available to both Myanmar and
international practitioners.
- Document
lessons learned by CCM networks and implementing partners across Myanmar,
key issues for consideration, and “Frequently Asked Questions” when
developing a CCM network and system, producing a lessons learned report.
- Assess
gaps in resources and make recommendations for additional resources and
actions based on input from CCM Steering Committee and international best
practices, producing a recommendations report; support the Steering
Committee to develop a short-to-medium term action plan.
Technical assistance to KSPMN
- Facilitate
self-assessment of CCM technical training needs with KSPMN.
- Organize
and deliver technical CCM trainings to KSPMN, including identifying and
managing resource persons as required.
- Organize
a 3-day practical workshop bringing together CCM networks across Myanmar
to share learning about CCM implementation and best practices and develop
CCM materials (e.g., guidelines, reporting templates).
- Work
with KSPMN to develop, update, and refine CCM materials including a KSPMN
CCM manual and reporting templates and an incident database.
- Design
and development a training of trainers (TOT) curriculum for training KSPMN
ceasefire monitors
Program Management
- Work
closely with Program Director and Paung Si Lett program team to integrate
CCM technical support activities into the overarching Paung Si Lett
program.
- Undertake
frequent field visits to ensure effective and efficient progress on key
activities.
- Establish
and maintain effective monitoring metrics in coordination with program
staff.
- Draft
and/or review scope of work to hire any technical consultants and manage
technical consultants as needed.
- Ensure
transparent use of resources in compliance with donor and Mercy Corps
regulations.
- Integrate
participatory community-based approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity
building into all activities as appropriate.
- Manage
the SCCM budget and procurement processes.
Representation and Strategy
- Attend
and represent Mercy Corps at relevant fora.
- Coordinate
closely with other CCM actors in Myanmar.
- Develop
communications materials, including program briefs and summaries of
evaluations and assessments.
- Conduct
ongoing liaison with all relevant stakeholders to ensure program success
(government, INGOs, national NGOs, mine action centers, the military,
health care providers, etc) and establish and maintain networks for
information exchange.
- Identify
gaps and support strategic planning and program development related to CCM
and the peace process.
Accountability
- Mercy
Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards
accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards
guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging
beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and
evaluation of our field projects.
Organizational Learning
- As
part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our
understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient
and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to
commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as
well as themselves.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: The Technical
Advisor will supervise the national Program Coordinator.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program Director, Paung Si
Lett program staff including partner staff, KMSS-Loikaw, KSPMN and affiliate
members, Mercy Corps operations and finance staff
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- A
Master’s Degree in relevant subject such as international relations,
international development, peace & conflict studies, etc.
- 5-7
years of experience developing, implementing, and managing peacebuilding
programs
- Previous
experience working in a multicultural conflict environment is required
- Technical
knowledge and experience in civilian ceasefire monitoring or related field
- Strong
coordination, facilitation, and relationship management skills, with
experience and proven expertise in facilitating fora, workshops, and
training events
- Strong
training and capacity building experience, including organizing and
delivering training and developing curricula
- Strong
writing skills, including ability to distill lessons and clarify required
actions
- Experience
working in developing countries and collaborating with grassroots actors
- Fluency
in English is required; local languages are an asset.
- Experience
in Myanmar is strongly preferred.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
A successful candidate will have High emotional
intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and respect for local perspectives. They
will have an ability to manage their own emotions and maintain a polite
demeanor and positive outlook in the face of setbacks. They will have a
willingness to learn, an ability to quickly turn learning into action, and be
guided by a spirit of collaboration and teamwork. Candidates who use
constructive mentoring skills, have proven experience with capacity building
and coordination and effective written and verbal communication skills will be
most effective.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The Technical Advisor is based in Yangon with regular travel
to Kayah and other ethnic states in Myanmar. Housing is individual
accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. Staff
have access to services – medical, electricity, water, etc. This position
requires 50% field travel.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during
and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to
a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a
professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies,
procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
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