Call for Field Volunteers - Peace Brigades International - Kenya Project. Post Title: Field Volunteer Location: Nairobi, Kenya Starting date: From January 2015 Closing date for applications: 12 September 2014 How to apply: Please see below. Please note that, due to security considerations, it is a PBI policy that no nationals are eligible to apply for in-country positions. Successful candidates are expected to serve a minimum of twelve months as a field volunteer. Background Peace Brigades International (PBI) is an international non-governmental organization that has promoted non-violence and protected human rights defenders since 1981. In response to the needs of human rights defenders, we provide unarmed protective accompaniment and other support on the ground through trained field volunteers and a broad network of international support. Protective accompaniment deters attacks against human rights defenders by sending a powerful message that the world is watching and prepared to act. Integral to PBI’s protection strategy are political support networks set up and activated by 16 country groups in North America and South America, Europe, and Australia, who are also responsible for volunteer recruitment, outreach, publicity and fundraising. PBI is an independent, egalitarian, volunteer-based organization not affiliated to any religious or political institution. PBI has established a new project in Kenya in 2013 to provide protection and support to human rights defenders (HRDs) on request. Role of PBI field volunteers PBI’s field volunteers provide protective accompaniment to human rights defenders on the ground. This is carried out through physical presence, dialogue with authorities, advocacy with the international community in country and information distribution. Main duties, tasks and responsibilities 1. Working with civil society/human rights organisations ◾Provide international protective presence for accompanied human rights organizations and carry out activities to strengthen their capacities to cope with the security challenges of human rights work in Kenya (on their own and in a sustainable manner). ◾Participate in the selection of and set-up of accompaniment relationships. ◾Develop and maintain positive working relationships with Kenyan civil society/human rights organizations. ◾At all times work in a non-partisan manner. ◾Collect, monitor and evaluate information to ensure that the objectives and activities of PBI Kenya and its accompanied organizations are being met and that this is reported frequently to relevant staff members/committees in the PBI Kenya Project. ◾Work and function in highly stressful and potentially threatening situations. ◾Implement Gender and Diversity principles. 2. Team work ◾Work and live as part of a multi-/inter-cultural team. ◾Actively contribute to the maintenance of proactive communication mechanisms within the team including active participation in team meetings, providing new ideas and input to team decisions and political analysis. ◾Prepare meeting agendas, facilitate team meetings and note decisions. ◾Undertake to work in a non-hierarchical group that makes decisions by consensus. ◾Produce reports as a team as required. ◾Work constructively with the Project Committee (PC) and staff. ◾Collectively define and refine the project’s strategies and protocols based on PBI experience. 3. Advocacy and communications ◾In coordination with all Project members, represent PBI Kenya at networking/advocacy meetings with the diplomatic corps, EU missions, UN institutions and NGOs and in dialogue with Kenyan authorities. ◾Assist with the production and writing of PBI Kenya communication materials for internal and external use. 4. Administration ◾Write reports and develop resource materials and historical knowledge of field team activities. ◾Undertake day to day office tasks, including responding to emails, telephone enquiries, filing, maintaining and updating of records and databases and financial management. 5. Other duties ◾Respect non-violence and PBI’s other core principles at all times. ◾Undertake all duties in accordance with PBI policies and procedures, in particular those relating to Harassment and Equal Opportunities. ◾Assume responsibility for the shared household, including shopping, cooking and cleaning. ◾Undertake such other duties as may reasonably be allocated, which may involve providing assistance in any area of the Project as may be required from time to time. Person specification Knowledge/Experience ◾Work experience with PBI or other relevant human rights or protection work. ◾Understanding of PBI mission, mandate and principles. ◾Experience with consensus decision-making. Skills ◾Excellent inter-personal skills. Facilitation and organisational skills. ◾Excellent oral and written communication skills. ◾Fluency in spoken and written English. ◾Very good analytical skills. ◾Training experience or Kiswahili knowledge would be an added advantage. Abilities ◾Competence in the use of Microsoft packages including Word, Excel and Powerpoint and use of the internet. Experience of IT security measures, such as encryption, would be an advantage. ◾Ability to function in a highly stressful, uncertain and/or threatening situation is essential. ◾Ability to work in a diverse team with different nationalities and backgrounds as well as in cross-cultural environments. Other ◾Commitment to non-violence. ◾Good physical fitness is required as field visits are made to rural/isolated areas and accompaniments often require walking or standing for extended periods of time. ◾Can cope with basic living conditions and weather extremes. ◾Willingness to work outside normal hours (evenings, weekends) is essential. What will PBI provide? ◾Pre-deployment training during which the final selection of volunteers will be made. The training will take place around end of October / beginning of November and will last between 5 to 7 days. ◾Travel to and from Kenya. ◾Health insurance. ◾Modest monthly stipend and work-related expenses. ◾Modest repatriation at end of volunteer service. How to apply Interested candidates are requested to send their CV, a brief personal statement as well as two reference letters to Anika Becher at: kenyacoordinator(at)peacebrigades.org Closing date for applications: 12th of September 2014 Skype interviews w/c: mid September 2014 The personal statement should explain how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed in the person specification, providing clear examples that demonstrate each point. You should write no more than 750 words in total. Applicants who do not provide this information will not be considered.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 07:17:52 +0000