JOB DESCRIPTION

Job description

TITLE:                     Small Arms and Conflict Advisor

LOCATION:           London

PURPOSE:

To enhance the effectiveness of Saferworld’s interventions to prevent violent conflict and promote co-operative approaches to security with a focus on small arms and light weapons (SALW) control, including transfer controls. Working with others the post-holder will:

• lead the development of Saferworld’s organisational strategy on SALW control and related areas of work
• provide high-level policy advice and technical assistance on the strategy, design, implementation and evaluation of projects in Saferworld’s regional programmes
• reinforce and develop Saferworld’s capacity to influence the international donor community on the conflict prevention and security agenda with a focus on SALW-related issues.

REPORTING TO:   Transfer Controls and Small Arms Team Leader

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: Africa, Europe and Asia programmes. Other advisors in the Policy and Advocacy programme

BACKGROUND

Saferworld has a history of working to develop, promote and support the implementation of laws, regulations and initiatives to control small arms and light weapons (SALW) and international transfers of conventional weapons.  This has included playing a key role in the development of the EU Common Position on Exports of Military Technology and Equipment, the Nairobi Protocol, the UN Programme of Action on SALW (PoA) and the proposed International Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).

Saferworld’s work on SALW and arms transfer controls takes place at the national, regional and international levels and involves research, policy development, advocacy and in-country programming.  At the national and regional levels, much of this work is focussed on East Africa, the Western Balkans, the Caucasus, Central Asia and South Asia.  Internationally, the organisation works closely with the UN on implementation of the PoA as well as with other multilateral institutions as appropriate, such as the OSCE and the Wassenaar Arrangement.

The post-holder will join Saferworld’s Policy and Advocacy Programme, which comprises  three teams of advisors and support staff focussing on the following themes: SALW and arms transfer controls; conflict sensitive approaches to security and development; security and justice sector development and governance; and encouraging international action to prevent violent conflict.  Saferworld works towards an integrated approach to addressing conflict and promoting human security which is community-driven and responds to the contexts in which we work.  It is therefore essential that the post holder works closely with all Saferworld’s geographic and functional teams to promote targeted and effective responses to the problems we seek to address.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic planning, programme development and integration

• Play a leading role in the design and review of Saferworld’s thematic SALW control strategy (including the organisation’s work on the PoA) and support the development of Saferworld’s conventional-arms transfer control strategy.

• Develop Saferworld’s strategies at the policy level on how SALW issues can be integrated into broader post-conflict security building processes such as Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR), security and justice sector development and community security/safety initiatives.

• Contribute actively to the design and implementation of Saferworld’s country strategies with a particular focus on translating SALW control policy into effective in-country programming.

• Act as a point of contact and advisor for Saferworld’s regional programmes (as appropriate) on SALW control issues.

• Contribute to the design and ongoing development of Saferworld’s analytical assessment tools and methodologies (including conflict analysis frameworks, Saferworld’s country assessment protocol and its monitoring and evaluation methodologies).

• Ensure that Saferworld’s SALW control work is consistent with, and where appropriate integrated into, its wider organisational strategies with a particular emphasis on the contribution SALW control can make to preventing and reducing violent conflict.

Policy research and advocacy

• With the Head of Policy and Advocacy and other relevant advisors, manage, develop and contribute to Saferworld’s policy research programme relating to SALW control including DDR, security and justice sector governance and development and community security/safety issues.

• With the Head of Policy and Advocacy, the Advocacy Team Leader and relevant advisors manage, develop and contribute to Saferworld’s advocacy strategies for SALW control (including the PoA) and support Saferworld’s advocacy strategies for arms transfer control, targeting decision-makers and opinion-shapers in international and regional institutions, multilateral organisations, key national governments and civil society.

• Help identify and facilitate opportunities for policy dialogue and problem-solving on SALW control among a range of decision-makers and opinion-shapers within international and regional institutions, multilateral organisations, key national governments and civil society.

• Undertake high-level representation for Saferworld at conferences, seminars and other events and act as a Saferworld spokesperson on relevant issues as appropriate.

Organisational leadership, capacity-building and people management

• Co-ordinate Saferworld’s internal SALW Control Working Group and participate actively in other working groups as appropriate.

• Manage consultants as appropriate.

• Work with the Head of Policy and Advocacy and the Regional Programme Heads to identify and address internal knowledge gaps across the organisation, in particular relating to SALW control (including through training, accompaniment and joint working).

Fundraising and Financial Management

• Undertake fundraising work to support the maintenance and development of Saferworld’s SALW control, arms transfer control, conflict and community security work, including developing concept notes and full proposals.

• Contribute to organisation-wide and country-specific fundraising proposals as appropriate.

• Prepare reports and briefings for funders on SALW control and related issues.

• Manage where appropriate project budgets, and contribute to the development of programme budget.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The successful candidate will have:

• A masters degree (or equivalent) in international relations, political science or a related field.
• An excellent understanding of the discourse on conflict prevention and security with a particular focus on SALW control and the international policy environment in which these issues are addressed.
• An excellent track record in international policy research and advocacy.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of working on SALW issues at both policy and practice (programme) level.
• A good understanding of arms and security issues in one or more of East Africa, the Western Balkans, the Caucasus, Central Asia or South Asia.
• Excellent communication skills and experience of communicating effectively across cultures and with diverse audiences, including government officials, international organisations, NGOs and the media.
• Experience of organising seminars, roundtables or conferences.
• Experience of working in an advisory role within an organisation, managing competing priorities and expectations of other departments or offices.
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Other languages are a distinct advantage.
• Experience of working in coalitions or with a variety of partner organisations in the design and delivery of advocacy.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Probation: There will be a probationary period of three months. 

Salary range:  : £28,000£32,000 - £398,000

Pension:  After six months service a 6%  per cent contribution to a personal pension fund (with 2 per cent contribution from employee) and life insurance cover.

Holidays: There are 25 days holiday a calendar year in addition to public holidays. 

Hours: Standard working week is 37.5 hours a week.  However, the demands of the job are likely to be such that a willingness to work longer hours, as required, will be necessary.

Travel: The post will include up to three months travel per year.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Deadline for applications: 13 July 2011.  To apply please send full CV and covering letter, detailing how you meet the selection criteria to Marie Aziz at recruitment@saferworld.org.uk (please use subject heading: Ref: SALW).  

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.