Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Brussels Belgium and Washington. DC, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict – away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 400 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 39 offices in 28 countries, including in Africa, Asia. Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. The organization is an exciting and rewarding place to work, with dedicated and enthusiastic staff who love their work. You will be joining a highly motivated staff with a good team spirit and there will be opportunities to grow in the role.
Within Sub-Saharan Africa, SFCG works in fifteen countries: Angola, Burundi, Chad. Cote d’lvoire. Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan,Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
Since 2003, SFCG has worked through its multi-media division, Common Ground Productions, in Nigeria, from 2004 to 2008 producing and broadcasting a TV series -The Station, targeting a youth audience. In 2010, SFCG began building its engagement in Nigeria, initiating a multi-year conflict transformation program, utilizing media and support to civil society in order to expand and deepen the impact of the Common Ground approach in Nigeria. SFCG has established a permanent presence in Abuja as an operational base for a number of initiatives comprising the country program. SFCG works to support peaceful resolution of conflict in the areas of Nigeria such as the Niger Delta and Plateau State.
SFCG Nigeria recently began a new initiative which focuses on the community reconciliation phase of the amnesty program sponsored by the Government of Nigeria in three core states of the Niger Delta: Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa States. Based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, the project will be implemented through a series of partnerships with Nigerian NGOs, local experts and international NGOs. The 18 month project has three streams of work: community level reintegrate work, community radio development and media work. Additionally, there is a trauma healing element. The community reintegrate work entails working with partners who have existing presence in the Niger Delta.
Training is one of the key tools that will be used at each stage of the process to create and sustain all activities, to strengthen communities, to move towards the acceptance of ex-militants, and to reconcile community relationships
Position: Training Coordinator
There are generally five types of trainings:
- Trainings of trainers to build capacity in partners to be able to deliver training to beneficiaries at the community level.
- Reintegrate training, to build understanding and capacity in topics of conflict transformation techniques, peace building, dialogue, problems solving, and advocacy themes.
- Skill trainings focus on teaching very specific skills in such areas as community radio operations, journalism and radio station management.
- Media and journalist trainings will focus on the roles of media in building peaceful societies, and promoting dialogue of diverse voices.
- Operational trainings will build capacity in local partners and staff in areas of grant managing, project management. IT maintenance and financial tracking and reporting.
The Training Coordinator will be instrumental to developing the training manuals for the first two types of trainings, which concentrate on conflict transformation and Common Ground advocacy to help repentant militants to reclaim a “civilian” identity and a voice that helps to protect communities from further violence. This will entail working with the various partners to review what material they are presently using and its state of documentation and then tailoring these materials to the context and needs of the partners.
Qualifications Required:
- Minimum of ten (10) years of experience designing programming in applied conflict resolution, peace building, etc.
- Minimum seven (7) years leading trainings and facilitations on conflict transformation, community level reintegration. etc. with particular emphasis on experiential learning methodology
- Master’s degree in a related field will be an advantage
- High standards of integrity, professionalism, and impartiality
- Able to work independently and effectively in a team environment
- Detail-oriented and highly organized, with a proactive approach
- Ability to multi-task and work to meet tight deadlines
- Proficient in use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, as well as web browsers
- Excellent ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing; and
- Ability to travel extensively in the Niger Delta. Nigeria and potentially Africa
Qualifications Desired
- Experience working in Communities and not simply in academic or urban environments.
- Familiarity with the conflict dynamics of the Niger Delta
Salary:
Commensurate with experience and education, with excellent benefits.
To Apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume to employment@sfcg.org or fax to +1(202) 232-6718 with the subject heading Training Coordinator-Nigeria. Please be sure to include minimum salary requirements (in currency figures) or current salary, projected start date, and to mention where you found this posting. No phone calls please. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. Please see our web site www.sfcg.org for full details of our work on or before 20th March 2012.
