Project Assistant - AVR at Danish Refugee Council

About the job

Danish Demining Group is the Human Security Unit under the Danish Refugee Council, specialized in clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance and reducing armed violence. Acknowledging the severity of armed violence, DDG has developed a comprehensive Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) approach to reduce the impact of conflict and armed violence. The AVR project assistant will play key roles in implementing the Community Safety project in Kalobeyei and will work directly with Refugee community in Kalobeyei Settlement and host community living around Kalobeyei and local authorities to strengthen their capacity to improve safety at the community level. This includes, but is not limited to, facilitating community dialogue on conflict, provide training on conflict management and support the strengthening of community – formal security provider relationships.

Main responsibilities and tasks:

• Act as primary link between the assigned target communities and DRC/DDG;
• Responsible for assisting Local authorities in target areas with selecting target communities in accordance with DRC / DDG selection criteria and process;
• Liaise with community leaders and local government authorities about the safety in the assigned target communities (i.e. community entry); 
• Facilitate dialogue and other activities aimed at reducing armed violence and including activities to strengthen local conflict management capacity and to promote better collaboration between local communities and formal security providers
• Ensure good cooperation with partners and other organizations working in the project target areas;
• Ensure excellent collaboration with DRC/DDG staff and partners from other target areas irrespective of their tribal identity;
• Compile the required monitoring forms and reports using the prescribed DDG formats and submit reports to the Project Coordinator Weekly and on Monthly basis.
• Provide inputs and participate in the development of community Safety Concept;
• Ensure that all tasks allocated by the DRC Kakuma Area Manager and DDG AVR Coordinator or their delegates are executed promptly, efficiently and in accordance with DRC/DDG operational guidelines.

About you:

• A university degree/Diploma or equivalent work experience, preferably in peace studies, political science or related field;
• Good English language skills. Able to communicate freely verbally and to write clearly and correctly; 
• Ability to use IT equipment effectively including computers and mobile phones
• 2-year experience working with community peace and/or development work.
• Exceptional understanding of local dynamics that lead to armed violence (ideally in arid and semi-arid parts of Kenya);
• Open-minded and committed to finding non-violent ways to mitigate conflict and promote inter-communal peace and collaboration;
• Cultural and gender sensitivity;
• A team player: able to demonstrate a constructive, cooperative and problem-solving approach;
• Experience of working in insecure environments; 
• Strong ability to communicate constructively to various different groups of people including; community (elders, women, men, spiritual leaders etc.), warriors, Security providers (KPRs, Police, APs), Government officials (chiefs, DOs, DCs) etc.;
• Fluency in English, Kiswahili and Ngaturkana (the local language)

DRC Core Competencies

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:  

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.  

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.  

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.  

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.  

Position Description 

Location  : Kakuma with extensive travel within Turkana County

Start of Contract & Duration: Immediately, 4.5 months (renewable contingent on funding)

Reports to: Area Manager 

Key stakeholders: 

External: Communities, Local Authorities, Security Providers, Camp leaders, RAS 

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council terms of employment for National staff.