Programme Advisor, Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention

This role is based in Dublin or elsewhere in ROI/NI with a hybrid working model.     Please note that Christian Aid Ireland is NOT a visa sponsoring organisation, so applicants MUST already have full and current eligibility to work in ROI/NI.  

About us

Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality and justice worldwide. We are the changemakers, the peacemakers, the mighty of heart.

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and recognise the value this brings in forming strong, creative and high performing teams. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, and from those with experience from outside of the voluntary sector. And no, you don’t have to be Christian to work here – we encourage people of all faiths and none to apply. We just ask that everyone lives out our values of dignity, equality, justice and love. We value a good work-life balance, so we’re open to part-time and flexible working. We also offer hybrid working for our office-based colleagues.. 

Learn about our vision, mission and values

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen Christian Aid's work on Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, a strategic organisational priority, to increase the impact of our work, strengthen and support the delivery of our Peacebuilding and conflict Prevention Global Strategy. To promote learning, provide technical support to programme teams, driving conflict sensitivity, addressing the root causes and drivers of conflict, violence and GBV, and enhancing practice on peacebuilding and conflict prevention, working with Christian Aid’s teams in 29 countries across in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe.

You will work as a part of the team shaping and developing Christian Aid’s global work on peacebuilding and conflict prevention. The role sits in Christian Aid Ireland (CAI) the organisational / global lead on Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention.  The post-holder reports to the Head of Unit, based in the International Department in Christian Aid (CA).

The purpose and direction of the post will be driven by Christian Aid’s Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Global Strategy. This includes strategic priority areas on conflict sensitivity, peacebuilding, conflict prevention, gender equality and the reduction of gender based violence (GBV). This role will support delivery of the strategy, in areas of programmes, policy and programme quality, including but not limited to humanitarian settings or complex protracted conflicts. 

The role combines direct technical support; programme development; facilitation of learning and mutual support between programmes; and development of good practice and guidance resources based on both internal experience and external learning. The role will provide technical expertise, will capture learning, and build on Christian Aid’s experience delivering peacebuilding work supported by donors such as the EU, Irish Aid, UK FCDO, UN Peacebuilding Fund and USAID, and others, to build sustainable peace.

Overseas travel is required for programme monitoring and support. The role will provide regular briefings and guidance for programme staff to develop the the focus on Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, providing strategic input to key decision-making bodies, engaging advisor groups and working with the International Division of Christian Aid.

As well as implementing programmes on peacebuilding, conflict transformation, conflict resolution, protection and human rights, Christian Aid has a strong track record of advocacy, tackling factors that drive fragility and exclusion. The role involves working with both programme and policy teams across the organisation and engaging in advocacy with relevant Irish and European audiences as required. The role also represents Christian Aid externally (with donors, NGOs, academic institutions) to share learning and best practice from our programmes.

About you

Essential:

• Knowledge of current thinking on peacebuilding, conflict prevention, tackling violence, including GBV, in an international context
• Experience of international programme work on peacebuilding, GBV, conflict sensitivity / conflict analysis
• Familiarity with programme cycle management tools and methods
• Ability to apply analysis of conflict / power / gender to programme design
• Excellent facilitation skills, and ability to promote critical thinking and reflection
• Experience providing training, technical support and/or advice
• Creative thinking and track record of promoting innovation
• Track record of promoting organisational learning
• Experience developing proposals, analysing technical strategies for implementation.
• Demonstrable ability to influence others and negotiate win-win solutions
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to discuss sensitive issues and inspire others to take up new challenges, and build effective working relationships

Desirable: 

• Familiarity with partnership working and the role of civil society / faith based organisations in development / peacebuilding
• Experience working in humanitarian programmes
• Experience implementing GBV response/prevention programmes
• Experience of policy/advocacy work
• Experience of designing projects and/or managing consultants
• Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish and/or French.

Competency questions 

As part of your application you will be asked to demonstrate your suitability by giving answers to the following questions:

Build Partnerships: 

Tell us about a time when you were proactive in taking on new and additional work to achieve a team or organisational goal.

Deliver Results:

Tell us about a time when you planned, prioritised and monitored your own work to meet the team’s objectives to the standards required.

Realise Potential:

Please tell us about a time when you took action to address gaps in your own knowledge and skills without being prompted

Further information

At Christian Aid we strive to be an inclusive and diverse employer and recognise the value that this brings in helping to build strong, creative and high performing teams.

We are actively encouraging racialised minorities, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people with caring responsibilities, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, women, and older workers to apply. This is because these groups are under-represented within our teams, especially at senior level, and we recognise and value the contributions members of these groups make to strong, creative and high performing teams. To discuss this role in greater detail, please contact  pquinn@christian-aid.org

We have a strong Christian ethos and we encourage applications from all faiths and none (with the exception of Director positions where there is a genuine occupational requirement to be a practicing Christian - Exempted under the Equality Act 2010).

All successful candidates will require a DBS/police check appropriate to the role and location and a Counter Terrorism Sanction check as part of your clearance for commencing your role with us. We also participate in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information as part of the referencing process from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

This role requires applicants to have the right to live and work in the country where this position is based and undertake the role that you have been offered. If you are successful and we make you an offer for the role, we will be required to conduct a right to work check on your immigration status in the UK. We will contact you regarding the documentation you will need to provide to evidence this.

You can expect a wide range of rewards and benefits, including a generous holiday allowance, a season ticket loan, and flexibility that will ensure you enjoy a good work/life balance.