The Thematic Specialist – Relations with Armed Actors will provide technical and operational leadership and guidance through SCI’s Children Affected by Armed Conflict (CAAC) Programme and in collaboration with the SCI Global & ANSA Initiative. The CAAC Programme is a complex cross-regional Programme that enables programming and advocacy initiatives on children affected by armed conflict with a wide range of actors at strategic policy/decision making, and operational level, such as; the African Union, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Mechanisms (RMs), Treaty Bodies, Bilateral Institutions, Member States, Civil Society Organizations and Armed Actors, both state and non-state. The role will also facilitate cross regional and global coordination and learning through relevant internal and external platforms such as on access, civ-mil relations, safety and security etc.

Within the Programme, the specialist will provide targeted and high-quality guidance, support and capacity strengthening to SCI Country Office’s to enable planning and operationalization of different engagement and negotiations modalities towards armed actors in the field. This role will lead on providing support to country teams to operationalize tools to assess risks and opportunities to advance children’s rights and humanitarian space, through engagement with armed actors. He/she will advise on programming, monitoring and operational footprints to be adaptive and contextually-driven.
The specialist will work with PMs, Thematic Coordinators, Advocacy, and MEAL specialist as needed to ensure all relevant CAAC Programme activities are implements, and that there are clear quality standards maintained for each area of work. Decision-making will require independent judgement within the roles technical scope as guided by existing guidelines, standards and policies
In order to be successful, you will bring/have:
Essential

Minimum 6 years international humanitarian field experience, including in conflict and restricted access environments.
Minimum 3 years of Protection/Humanitarian programming, including demonstrated working knowledge and experience on CAAC and Peace and Security Programming/ANSA/Civ-Mil relations
Solid understanding of the African Union Peace and Security Architecture, and Peace Support Operations in general.
Solid experience of engagement and relations with Armed Actors, including Armed Non-State Actors, in the field.
Solid understanding of humanitarian negotiations, gender-peace and security, conflict sensitivity
Demonstrated experience of capacity building of armed actors and humanitarian frontline negotiations.
Demonstrated capability to make decisions with creativity and independent judgment
Demonstrated experience in influencing to obtain the cooperation of others.
Proven excellence in working in a team, being a team player, and significant experience working in an international organisation.
An appreciation and understanding of how to manoeuvre in a context of shrinking space for civil society, ensuring Save the Children’s integrity and child rights are not compromised
Demonstrated knowledge of children’s issues, rights-based program approaches, and child safeguarding principles.
Strong skills and proven experience in program management processes; also from the knowledge and learning perspective.
Able to work well under pressure and deadlines
Excellent listening, inter-personal, communication and networking skills; proven experience and effectiveness working across functional teams and in a matrixed structure; and an ability to work with diverse populations.
High level of self-awareness and willingness to take feedback for growth and self-development.
Excellent analytical skills.
Effective negotiator, with the ability to positively influence cross departmental and cross sector work
Proven experience in designing Terms of Reference and ability to design and review evaluation tools and approaches.
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets.
Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
Exemplary level of spoken and written English.

Desired

Fluency in French, both verbal and written, desirable but not a must

Contract duration: I year
The Organisation
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.
We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

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