Job Description
The World at Abt
Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.
We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.
To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.
Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.
The Opportunity
Abt Global seeks a qualified Conflict Specialist to support the anticipated Congo Basin Forestry Action Programme (CBFAP), funded by the FCDO. CBFAP aims to enhance forest governance, improve livelihoods for forest-dependent communities, and promote sustainable land use across the Congo Basin. The Conflict Specialist will ensure that conflict sensitivity, mitigation strategies, and peacebuilding efforts are integrated into all aspects of the programme.
The Conflict Specialist will play a critical role in supporting the CBFAP team in identifying conflict drivers and dynamics in conflict-prone locations and supporting the CBFAP team in integrating a conflict sensitive focus into project activities. The specialist will focus on assessing the conflict dynamics in project areas, integrating conflict-sensitive approaches into program design and implementation, and ensuring that programme activities are conducted in ways that at a minimum Do No Harm and ideally contribute to preventing, managing and/or mitigating conflict and advancing social cohesion and resilience, particularly in communities reliant on forest resources.
The ideal candidate will have experience in conflict analysis, conflict-sensitive program design, mediation, and peacebuilding, particularly in relation to natural resource management. The Conflict Specialist will collaborate closely with local communities, government entities, and other stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that address and prevent conflict in forested regions of the Congo Basin.
Core Responsibilities
Conflict Analysis and Assessment
- Conduct conflict analyses to identify/understand conflict drivers, dynamics, and potential triggers including actors in project areas, with a focus on land tenure, resource use, and governance disputes.
- Provide regular updates on the conflict dynamics in the region and assess how CBFAP activities may impact those drivers, dynamics and triggers. Support the CBFAP team in structuring and/or adapting programming that is informed by those dynamics.
- Develop and maintain a conflict risk map to guide program decision-making.
Conflict-Sensitive Program Design
- Work with project teams to integrate conflict sensitivity into all project activities, ensuring that interventions do not exacerbate existing tensions.
- Develop and implement conflict-sensitive strategies that promote peacebuilding, inclusive dialogue, and cooperative resource management.
- Ensure that conflict-sensitive approaches are reflected in program documentation, including work plans, logframes, and reports.
Capacity Building and Training
- Provide training and technical assistance to project staff, partners, and local communities on conflict sensitivity, mediation, and peacebuilding strategies.
- Strengthen the capacity of local stakeholders, including community leaders and government officials, to manage conflicts related to land and resource use.
- Facilitate conflict resolution workshops and dialogue sessions to promote collaboration and peaceful coexistence among conflicting parties.
Stakeholder Engagement and Mediation
- Engage with local communities, government entities, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to identify and address sources of conflict related to forest governance.
- Serve as a mediator between stakeholders to resolve disputes over land tenure, forest management, and resource allocation.
- Support the establishment of community-based conflict resolution mechanisms to address local disputes in a sustainable and participatory manner.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to develop conflict-sensitive indicators and monitor the impact of the program on local conflict dynamics.
- Collect and analyse data related to conflict prevention and resolution efforts, and provide regular reports on the effectiveness of conflict mitigation strategies.
- Ensure that conflict-sensitive approaches are evaluated and adjusted as necessary throughout the life of the project.
Partnership Development and Collaboration
- Build partnerships with local and international organisations focused on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and governance.
- Collaborate with donors, government bodies, and civil society organisations to ensure that the program aligns with broader peacebuilding efforts in the region.
- Support advocacy efforts to promote policies and practices that contribute to conflict resolution and forest conservation.
What We Value
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding, International Relations, Political Science, or a related field.
- At least 8-10 years of experience in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and conflict-sensitive programming, preferably in the context of natural resource management or international development.
- Proven experience in conducting conflict analysis and designing conflict-sensitive interventions.
- Expertise in working with forest-dependent communities and understanding the conflict dynamics related to land tenure, resource use, and governance.
- Experience working in the Congo Basin or similar regions with complex conflict dynamics is highly desirable.
- Strong mediation and facilitation skills, with the ability to lead conflict resolution workshops and dialogues.
- Excellent analytical and report-writing skills, with the ability to translate complex conflict dynamics into actionable recommendations.
- Demonstrated ability to work in multi-stakeholder environments, including with government, civil society, and community leaders.
- Fluency in English and French is required; knowledge of local languages in the Congo Basin is an advantage.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a focus on conflict negotiation and relationship building.
- Strong commitment to conflict resolution and peacebuilding in complex development environments.
- Diplomatic, with excellent problem-solving and negotiation skills.
- Collaborative and adaptable, with the ability to manage complex relationships across diverse cultural contexts.
- Ability to work in high-pressure environments with sensitivity to local political and social dynamics.
What We Offer
We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.
Abt Global Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer: Abt will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
Abt is committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate background checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Abt also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
