USA: Manager, Conflict Resolution and Peace

Apr 26, 2021 | Conservation International
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Conservation International (CI) has been protecting nature for the benefit of all for over 30 years. Through science, policy, and partnerships, CI is helping build a healthier, more prosperous and more productive planet.  

Position Summary

The Conflict Resolution and Peace Manager reports to the Senior Director of Inclusive Partnerships Program and will work closely with the program delivery and finance/operations teams of the new Center for Communities and Conservation (CCC) to advance CI’s environmental peacebuilding goals including the process to become a conflict sensitive organization. This body of work will require deep knowledge of how CI plans and implements conservation programs, the Center’s mission to integrate human well-being into CI’s conservation efforts, and all CI business processes (from Branding and Communications to HR to Development.) 

This position will work collaboratively to manage day-to-day environmental peacebuilding program initiatives; with the primary duties to: 

  • Provide strategic guidance to plan and implement new and existing conflict sensitivity and environmental peacebuilding initiatives within CI; 
  • Deliver technical assistance on peacebuilding and conflict sensitivity issues both within CI and beyond; 
  • Design and deliver training workshops on conflict analysis and conflict sensitivity for staff in CI Arlington and Field Programs;
  • Lead fundraising research and proposal writing for the Inclusive Partnerships Program; and,
  • Develop quality external partnerships with organizations, NGOs, and UN agencies focused on environmental peacebuilding, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and/or gender issues in conservation. 

Responsibilities

Lead Inclusive Partnership’s Environmental Peacebuilding Initiative and Outreach to CI Staff and Partners. Provide technical and strategic input to the development of training materials for CI's internal capacity-building on peace and conflict-sensitive conservation, specifically:

  • Lead HQ workshops to spread awareness of our work and other dissemination efforts that expand internal awareness of CI’s Environmental Peacebuilding Training Manual and related technical capacities. 
  • Cultivate and manage relationships with peace donors to advance institutional aspects of conflict sensitivity, such as the PeaceNexus foundation. Responsible for leadership on related activities associated with grant implementation. 
  • Oversee CI’s nomination and submission process for Goldman Prize Fellows
  • Lead and provide technical support to conflict sensitivity pilot programs, ensuring effective implementation of grant and technical accompaniment. 
  • Develop internal policy and resource materials on conflict sensitivity that contribute to institutional knowledge and capacity on conflict sensitivity
  • Lead development of a skills assessment framework and related conflict skills training packages with CI field teams and provide responsive support to partnership requests.
  • Pursue collaboration on training opportunities and technical assistance (workshops, 1-1 facilitation, peer exchange, program planning) with additional field countries, such as Colombia. 
  • Strengthen relationships with internal CI Peace Champions at HQ and globally. 
  • Respond to periodic requests for technical, program planning, and capacity building assistance from CI programs and partners by connecting to relevant staff in the Policy Center and across other CI divisions, contributing ideas, assuming responsibilities for specific tasks, and tracking activities over time.
  • Manage awareness-raising and outreach meetings across CI divisions and with key peacebuilding actors, in collaboration with Inclusive Partnership staff. 
  • Represent CI and Inclusive Partnership at conferences, workshops, meetings and within professional groups that advocate for integrated programming, such as the Alliance for Peacebuilding, the Environmental Peacebuilding Working Group, and the Wilson Center Environmental Change and Security Program.
  • Develop evaluation approach to measure and track impacts of peacebuilding initiatives at CI.

Deliver Technical and Research Guidance on Gender, Social Inclusion and Peace

  • Design and produce technical documents such as case studies and best practices synthesis to help increase CI capacity around gender, natural resource management and conflict.
  • Perform research, analysis and synthesis as part of the CI gender working groups, and conduct prospect research for fundraising efforts in collaboration with the Senior Director for Inclusive Partnerships and CI's Gender Advisor.
  • Identify, plan and design collaborative initiatives to integrate a gender lens within environmental peacebuilding and conflict sensitivity work.

Ensure Inclusive Partnerships Program Operational Goals are Managed Effectively 

  • Manage payments, grant, and contract creation and approval process for Inclusive Partnerships grants and contracts.
  • Manage meeting logistics for Inclusive Partnerships Program. 
  • Serve as primary contact for CI communications team, identifying opportunities and contributing to articles, blogs, and other internal and external communications efforts.
  • Collaborate with Center communications team to update website content production including blogs and success stories.
  • Lead and collaborate on fundraising research and proposal writing for the Inclusive Partnerships Program.
  • Serve as Operations point-of-contact for Inclusive Partnerships. 
  • Submit timesheets and expense reports (e.g. credit card, cash/travel advances, etc.) on time and accurately.

Provide Technical Guidance to the Center for Communities and Conservation 

  • Any other responsibility as assigned by the supervisor of the position.
  • Facilitate alignment and integration of environmental peacebuilding program within CCC strategy and priorities. 

Working Conditions

  • Based in Arlington, Virginia. 
  • Normal office conditions. Some international travel expected. 

Qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
  • 4-6 years of related work experience, preferably in peacebuilding, international development, stakeholder engagement and/or social and environmental safeguards issues. 
  • Strong organization skills, with ability to prioritize and manage high volume and varied tasks and meet deadlines;
  • Resourcefulness and ability to work proactively and independently. 
  • Proven ability to work effectively with others from a variety of disciplines, cultures and backgrounds; and
  • Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web researching skills. 

Preferred

  • Master’s degree.
  • Fluent in one of CI’s core languages, preferably Spanish or French.
  • Experience in training design and facilitation for international workshops. 
  • Experience providing input on peacebuilding or conflict management initiatives. 
  • Experience with analysis of peacebuilding, international development, stakeholder engagement, human rights, or gender programs or comparable fields. 
  • Familiarity with and a strong interest in socio-economic issues related to conservation and peace, particularly as related to gender, environmental security, and/or sustainable development.
  • Experience assisting in the development of fundraising proposals.
  • Experience supporting the administration of contracts and grants.

To apply for this position please submit a resume and cover letter.

See all Conservation International Career Opportunities HERE

Conservation International Values

We expect that all employees will embrace the values of our organization.​

  • Passion: Inspired by people and by nature, we are urgently compelled to drive change for a sustainable future. 
  • Integrity: We are honest, transparent and accountable for our actions.
  • Teamwork: We work together as one CI, recognizing that inclusion, collaboration and cooperation are fundamental to achieving a healthy and prosperous world for all.
  • Respect: We respect each other and work to earn trust, valuing our diversity of cultures, talents, and experiences.
  • Courage: We pursue our vision, taking bold action, persevering and overcoming challenges.
  • Optimism: We are optimistic about the capacity of people to be caring, generous and brilliant, and believe that with partners, we can inspire humanity to create a better future.