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About Communities in Transition (CIT)

CIT is a conflict management consulting firm that empowers communities to address conflict-related challenges in a collaborative and sustainable way. We do so by advancing the understanding of complex crisis through comprehensive conflict analysis and assessments; facilitating inclusive and sustainable conflict resolution dialogue processes; and ensuring knowledge transfer and ownership to empower local peacemakers.

In partnership with the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), CIT is launching a 1-year (January 2018-December 2018) emergency mediation program in the Central African Republic (CAR) entitled “Building Inclusive Security in CAR” in order to:

Objective 1: Build the capacity of local communities to resolve local security issues and enhance citizen participation in DDR/SSR.

Objective 2: Build the oversight capacity of national legislative representatives to consult with their constituencies and feed local perspectives into national level DDR/SSR processes creating 2-way communication mechanisms between national legislators and local communities on DDR/SSR and community security.

To achieve these objectives, CIT deploys mediation surge teams (MST) to conflict zones to help local mediators engage conflict parties (armed and non-armed) in dialogue. These dialogue seek to help communities reduce insecurities and mass displacements and help community leaders feed local perspectives into the national peace process. 

Job Description

CIT is hiring two (2) full-time National Mediators who are able to model and apply principles of integrity, empowerment, impartiality, collaboration and inclusion in their daily work and in their interactions with others. CIT's 2 National Mediators will form a Mediation Surge Team (MST) that deploys in the provinces to support local mediators resolve local security-related community grievances. National Mediators will spend 60% of their time in the field, some of which in insecure environments.

National Mediators report to the Program Director.

Technical Skills

National Mediators will conduct the following activities in collaboration with local mediators in Bangui and 3 provinces in CAR:

• Conflict analysis: map micro-level conflict dynamics and identify entry-points for mediation to address DDR/SSR and community security issues.
• Train: provide community members with on-going conflict assessment, stakeholder mapping and conflict resolution skills training (mediation, restorative justice, large group facilitation), coaching and monitoring and prepare local advocates to elevate issues that need national-level attention.
• Mediate: facilitate the resolution of local grievances and coach and support local mediators as they facilitate problem-solving dialogues around security concerns;
• Integrate: dialogue processes into the local peace architecture, such as existing government, NGO or CSOs working on resolving conflict, to ensure the sustainability of the conflict resolution processes.
• Constituent engagement: support parliamentarians as they conduct field visits and engage in dialogue with constituents, local government officials and the international community to address DDR/SSR and community security issues.
• Vertical communication mechanisms: track community SSR/DDR recommendations and support regular 2-way communication between national legislative representatives and local communities on DDR/SSR and community security and systematize these exchanges to establish a sustainable communication mechanism.
• Report: compile thorough and timely reports of all activities.
• Coordinate: with CIT’s Program Director, local mediators, USIP and other national and international stakeholders and participate in meetings in Bangui and in the provinces as required.

Candidate Profile

In addition to having demonstrated technical experience in the above listed activities, CIT is looking for a mature mediation practitioner who embodies the following characteristics:

• Integrity: keeps their word and conducts themselves with impeccable integrity toward all stakeholders and partners, even when others do not.
• Empowerment: is able to see and enhance the skills, talents and gifts in all individuals and treat everyone with dignity and respect.
• Impartiality: does not take side in a conflict and is able to hear all sides without expressing judgement, irrespective of a person's point of view.
• Collaborative and inclusive: draws in diverse voices and promotes collaborative decision-making with stakeholders, colleagues, and partners.
• Strategic thinker: must have a keen analytical sense and understanding of regional, national and local conflict dynamics and able to “read” changing dynamics so as to adapt their strategy to reflect changes in the context.
• Leadership skills: must be willing to take charge and show initiative, while demonstrating a servant-leadership style. Must also be able to work well as part of a team and with people of different worldviews and practices, while remaining true to CIT’s organizational values and principles.
• Training and coaching skills: energetic trainer able to contextualize the material to the needs of the participants and have strong coaching abilities that draws out the best out of participants.
• Bold: calculated risk taker with a proven ability to assess and manage risk responsibly. Functions well in an unstable and restricted environment.
• Innovative and creative thinker: out of the box thinker, willing to challenge assumptions and try new ideas.
• Positive: able to handle difficult and physically challenging environments with limited recreational and social activities without complaining.
• Communicator: good communicator in times of crisis, focused on understanding the other while able to set boundaries for themselves.
• Open to learning: must be willing to learn new perspectives, try out new approaches, learn new methodologies and exhibit awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

Educational Background

To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will have the following educational background:

• University degree, preferably a Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management, Social Work, Anthropology, Sociology, Pedagogy or other relevant fields.
• Proven experience in curriculum design and leading training in participatory third-party mediation, restorative justice and/or large group facilitation processes and approaches.
• 3 years of field experience facilitating community-based mediation, restorative justice and/or dialogue processes.
• Proven track record of completing risk assessments and conflict analysis.
• 4 years of experience working with international NGOs or UN agencies.
• 3 years of field experience working in conflict-affected areas.
• Previous experience in psychosocial and/or trauma support programming preferred.
• Experience working with armed groups, the military, police and/or government officials preferred.
• High degree of computer literacy.
• Fluent in French (oral and written).
• Fluent in English (oral and written) preferred.
• Experience working in CAR preferred.

Application Process

Applicants who meet the above criteria will be interviewed on a rolling bases and the position will stay open until filled. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please. The ideal candidate must be available to start in January 2018. Salary is commensurate with experience.

To apply for the position, please send a cover letter, updated CV, university degree and mediation training certificate to Mrs. Nathalie Al-Zyoud (nalzyoud@communitiesintransition.com), including in the subject line the title of the position you are applying for. Please also include the following in your cover letter:

• Where you found this job posting.
• Minimum salary requirements (or current salary).
• 3 professional references with their contact information.

All new employees must successfully complete a three-month probationary period before being offered a project-long contract.

Communities in Transition (CIT) team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and as such staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and CIT policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.