Required No: 1

Duration of Employment: One year and probability of extension based on availability of budget and performance.

Salary: As per the scale of the organization and benefit package

The Peace and Conflict Transformation Officer will lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of peacebuilding and conflict transformation activities under the Bridging Borders Project. The officer ensures inclusive participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups in peacebuilding processes, strengthens local and cross-border peace structures, and provides technical advice to consortium partners in Ethiopia and Kenya. 

 1. Peacebuilding and Dialogue Facilitation 

• Carry out in-depth conflict mapping and analysis of socio-political dynamics. 
• Assess the impact of project activities on local tensions and adapt interventions for conflict sensitivity. 
• Lead the planning and facilitation of inclusive peace dialogues, mediation sessions, and forums across Borana and Marsabit. 
• Support cross-border peacebuilding initiatives, including dialogue forums, cultural and sports events, and exchange visits. Therein, use HEKS’ diapraxis approach (“dialogue through practice”) for mediation and community-level peace dialogues. 
• Strengthen peace committees and customary institutions (gada, siinqee, hybrid forums) to promote inclusive and sustainable conflict transformation. 
• Facilitate the formation and strengthening of Youth Peace and Security (YPS) platforms and link them to regional and national peace networks. 

 2. Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening 

• Organize trainings on conflict transformation, early warning, non-violent approaches, and transformational leadership. 
• Mentor women- and youth-led groups and peace committees to engage meaningfully in decision-making and peacebuilding. 
• Support integration of community resolutions and peace declarations into local and regional peace coordination mechanisms. 
• Build the capacity of consortium partners in Ethiopia and Kenya on conflict-sensitive programming and peacebuilding methodologies. 

 3.Support to Community Micro-Grants 

• Provide technical support to the NRM, Governance, and Participation Officer on community micro-grants related to peacebuilding. 
• Guide and mentor community groups in developing peace-related proposals, ensuring inclusivity, feasibility, and alignment with project objectives. 
• Assist with participatory review and reflection processes for peacebuilding initiatives funded under the micro-grant scheme. 

4.Advocacy and Policy Engagement  

• Support preparation of policy briefs and advocacy materials promoting gender- and youth-responsive peacebuilding. 
• Facilitate participation of women’s networks, youth platforms, and peace committees in advocacy events at regional and federal levels. 
• Document and share lessons learned and best practices with government bodies, IGAD/CEWARN, and other coordination forums 

 5.Documentation, Learning, and Communication  

• Document case studies, lessons, and success stories on inclusive peacebuilding. 
• Provide inputs to the Communications Officer for visibility materials and the “Youth for Peace” social media campaign. 
• Contribute to MEAL processes, ensuring timely and accurate reporting on peace indicators. 
• Prepare and submit regular progress reports to the Field Office Coordinator/MEAL Officer, highlighting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. 

6.Cross-cutting Responsibilities 

• Ensure gender-transformative and disability-inclusive approaches in all peacebuilding activities. 
• Uphold safeguarding, PSEAH, and conflict-sensitive standards in project implementation. 
• Represent HEKS/EPER and the consortium in relevant peacebuilding coordination platforms in Ethiopia and Kenya. 
• Support integration of peacebuilding with NRM and livelihood activities under the project’s HDP Nexus approach. 

 7.Final Provisions 

The employee may be asked to perform duties and tasks not covered in this job description within the remit of their expertise as well as to provide support to other areas when necessary. 

Minimum Qualifications and Experience, Skills and Capabilities: 

Qualification and Experience 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Social Sciences, or related field. 
• At least 5 years of professional experience in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, mediation, or governance in fragile or conflict-affected contexts. 
• Demonstrated expertise in community-based peacebuilding, dialogue facilitation, and conflict sensitivity. 
• Strong understanding of pastoralist contexts, Borana culture, and customary institutions (gada, siinqee, busa gonofa) and experience working in Borana Zone and/or Marsabit County, Kenya. 
• Experience in designing and facilitating cross-border dialogues, peace committees, or multi-stakeholder forums. 
• Proven track record of supporting youth and women’s engagement in peacebuilding processes. 

• Excellent command of English, and fluency in Afan Oromo required. Knowledge of Swahili or local languages in Marsabit is an asset.

  Skills and Capabilities 

• Strong facilitation, negotiation, and mediation skills with diverse stakeholders (elders, youth, women, local authorities). 
• Ability to design and implement peacebuilding activities, combining traditional and formal approaches. 
• Capacity to apply conflict-sensitive, do-no-harm, and safeguarding principles in practice. 
• Excellent documentation, reporting, and advocacy skills, including producing case studies and policy briefs. 
• Good IT skills, including MS Office and digital tools (Kobo Toolbox). 
• Ability to work independently in volatile contexts with minimal supervision. 
• High level of integrity, accountability, and commitment to HEKS/EPER’s values and humanitarian principles. 
• Flexibility and proactiveness in dynamic environments. 
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently, including to remote and hard-to-reach cross-border areas. 

How To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply through https://www.ethiojobs.net by submitting:

• A cover letter( Application letter)
• An updated CV (maximum three pages with contact details of three professional referees)

Note:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Phone inquiries are not permitted.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.