The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), a South African-based civil society institution, is currently accepting applications for its Internship Programme 2014. ACCORD works across Africa to bring creative African solutions to the challenges posed by conflict on the continent. ACCORD’s primary aim is to influence political developments by bringing conflict resolution, dialogue and institutional development to the forefront as an alternative to armed violence and protracted conflict. ACCORD specialises in conflict management, analysis and prevention and intervenes in conflicts through mediation, negotiation, training, research and conflict analysis. For more information about ACCORD and the work we do, please see: accord.org.za ACCORD’s Internship Programme is a unique experience that allows interns to work directly on conflict resolution matters in Africa through an immersion in a high profile and challenging environment. As a crucial component of ACCORD’s work, interns are highly valued and are expected to provide both administrative and substantive support to the activities implemented by the institution. Applications are currently being considered by the Operations Division’s two Departments; the Knowledge Production Department and the Interventions Department (including the Peacemaking Unit , the Peacekeeping Unit, the Peacebuilding Unit and the Training Unit). About the Units: • The Knowledge Production Department: The Department’s core work is research and thus candidates applying to this Department would be tasked with supporting the research activities of the senior researchers, whilst also undertaking their own research should their research align with the departments agenda and interests. • Interventions Department: The Peacemaking Unit: The overall goal of the Peacemaking Unit is the prevention of violent conflict, and the promotion of dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts. The Unit is engaged with proactive and reactive peacemaking interventions through a myriad categories of activities that include policy development, capacity building initiatives such as training forums, study tours, confidence building initiatives, institutional capacity building, contributing conflict analysis briefings, and others. At the time of writing particular attention was given to the situations in Sudan, Somalia, Madagascar and the Comoros. • Interventions Department: The Peacekeeping Unit: The Peacekeeping Unit, through its Training for Peace Programme, is one of the leading programmes on civilian peacekeeping. In the last 15 years, it has contributed towards capacity building within the broader ambit of regional and international peace operations at the practical and conceptual level in Africa. The Unit has given a crucial support to the development of African peacekeeping policies, particularly concerning the implementation of the civilian dimension of the African Standby Force. • Interventions Department: The Peacebuilding Unit: The Peacebuilding Unit has a strong focus on training, research, and policy development in the African peacebuilding field. In particular, its African Peacebuilding Coordination Programme (APCP) seeks to contribute to enhanced levels of coherence and coordination in peacebuilding, and to support the attainment of greater levels of local ownership of peacebuilding processes in African countries transitioning from conflict. Specifically, the Programme focuses its work on the peacebuilding processes currently underway in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Liberia and Sudan. The Peacebuilding Unit has been working with a multitude of countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Liberia, Sudan and Angola. • Interventions Department: Training Unit: The primary purpose of the Training Unit is to transfer skills in conflict analysis, conflict management and conflict resolution in Africa. The Unit aims to meet ACCORDs distinctive purpose of finding African methodologies to meet the demand for African solutions to African challenges. The Unit’s trainings align with the programmatic activities of the Interventions Department, and can therefore cover a range of activities across the spectrum of conflict management from peacemaking to peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Applicants applying for an internship with the Training Unit will support the Unit in organising training events, collating training materials and to assisting the Unit with overall Unit administration and logistics. About the Internship Programme: Candidates are required to have a graduate or post-graduate degree (or be enrolled in a graduate programme) in a social science related to conflict management, conflict resolution, peace studies or international relations. The applicants must be fluent in English and be adept to both researching and writing. For the Peacebuilding and Peacemaking Units positions fluency in French would be a considered beneficial. Previous working experience in the field is not a requirement, but it is preferred that the candidate exhibits a strong commitment and understanding of the focal areas of the Unit he or she is applying for. The internships are based at ACCORD’s Headquarters in Durban, South Africa. Internships are typically for a minimum of three months and can last up to six months (with the possibility of extension). Internships commence from the beginning of February of a given year, and the internship period ends at the end of November of that year. Depending upon the availability of the intern and/or ACCORD’s needs, the starting dates and the duration of the internship can be negotiated. For more information on ACCORD and the internship programme, please access our website accord.org.za/us/internships , and refer to the FAQ’s page. To apply applicants should: 1. Go to the ACCORD Website @ accord.org.za/us/internships 2. Download an application form and send it with; a. A cover letter outlining your motivations for undertaking an internship at ACCORD b. A two (2) page Curriculum Vitae c. A short writing sample (about 1500 words on a subject related to peace and conflict) All applications must be emailed to [email protected] , and although ACCORD does review applications on a rolling basis, only short listed candidates are contacted. Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to email [email protected] Please forward this email to your relevant networks. Kind regards, Manjula Marimuthu Internship Programme Coordinator ACCORD House | 2 Golf Course Drive | Mount Edgecombe 4300 | South Africa Pvt Bag X018 | Umhlanga Rocks 4320 | RSA Tel +27 (0)31 502 3908 | Fax +27 (0)31 502 4160 Email: [email protected] Website accord.org.za/
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 07:55:03 +0000