Research Opportunity: The Status of Civil Society Organisations’ Sustainability in Ghana
In partnership with STAR-Ghana, the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) is pleased launch the call to conduct a nationwide research on the “status of civil society sustainability in Ghana” as part of a 3 year sustainability project designed for civil society in Ghana. The project aims to raise awareness, disseminate knowledge, build capacity and advocate for issues pertinent to the sustainability of the civil society sector and its constituents in the ten (10) regions of the country.
Specifically, the research seeks to collect and document information, review existing literature and expatiate the different sustainability challenges confronting CSOs in Ghana. The research will examine among others issues:
a. What sustainability means to/for civil society in Ghana?
b. What is the “state of sustainability” of civil society in Ghana?
c. What are the relevant criteria to measure the sustainability of Ghanaian civil society?
d. What are the key challenges threatening the sustainability of civil society in Ghana?
e. How does the sustainability of civil society organisations the impact on their work?
f. What are the different sustainability strategies that civil society organisations are using in Ghana?
To achieve the above-listed objectives WACSI is seeking a research consultant to prepare a paper of about 30-50 pages that will provide comprehensive analysis of the current sustainability status of civil society in Ghana. The paper will:
1. Define what sustainability means to the different groups of civil society including the non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, womens’ groups, youth networks, international non-governmental organisations working with broad-based partners at the local (community) levels, professional associations and bodies, trade unions among others;
2. Identify and document the current status of civil society sustainability in Ghana against relevant indicators such as constituents legitimacy and credibility, institutional capacity and infrastructure, operational and technical skills, relevance of mission and quality of service delivery, influential power, recognition and visibility and financial viability, among others;
3. From the study, produce an index using the criteria given in the preceding paragraph and others that would be developed that would be used to assess the sustainability of civil society in Ghana periodically.
4. Identify the prevailing challenges and projected threats to civil society sustainability, influence and impact on sustainable development in Ghana for the next 5 years
5. Examine the different roles and contributions of international and local development interventions and mechanisms such as GRAP, RAVI and STAR-Ghana to the sustainability of civil society viz-a-viz prevailing weaknesses and threats in Ghana;
6. Document about 3 or 4 sustainability case studies (including business models) that has been adopted by sustainable organisations within and outside Ghana, and the region at large This is expected to serve as a practical learning tool to guide individual organisations in their choice, design and implementation of suitable and effective sustainability models/approaches.
7. Highlight views of civil society on government’s disposition towards the development and sustainability of civil society sector in Ghana
8. Recommend on indigenous sustainability strategies and and business models such as social entrepreneurship etc., that would be most suitable for sustainable civil society sector in Ghana within their historical and current context.
Methodology
The consultant will be expected to conduct an extensive desk and literature review and hold conversations with relevant civil society and development stakeholders including the international non-governmental organisations.
Deliverables
The following outputs are expected:
– A research report;
– The civil society sustainability index and
– 3-4 case studies of civil society sustainable models from within and outside Ghana
Submission of a first draft by Friday 12 December 2014, a second draft following reviews by WACSI by Friday 16 January, 2015 and a final draft following further reviews by WACSI by Friday 21 January, 2015.
Consultant Profile
– Strong research, writing and analytical skills.
– Minimum of a Master’s degree in the social sciences. A doctorate degree is preferable.
– Minimum of five to ten years’ experience in the Ghanaian civil society/development sector.
– Extensive and relevant knowledge of civil society contextual and operational environment in Ghana
– Understanding of civil society’s structures, operational environment, procedures, policy development processes and general challenges
– Knowledge of civil society sustainability discourse in and outside Ghana, and activities post-2015 issues and activities undertaken in West Africa to this effect.
Management and Reporting
Interested applicant should send an Expression of Interest (EoI) and CV to WACSIs’ Policy advocacy Officer, Omolara Balogun at obalogun@wacsi.org, cc. policyadvocacy@wacsi.org, cc. Trixie Akpedonu t.akpedonu@wacsi.org on or before Friday November 7, 2014. WACSI team will provide close supervision throughout the project.
All communication during this project should be sent to policyadvocacy@wacsi.org
DEADLINE: December 12, 2014
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Fellowship Cycle Open with Echoing Green
Echoing Green’s Fellowship Programs will offer more than $4.6 million in seed-stage funding and support this year to emerging leaders working to bring about positive social change. From thousands of applicants, only about 1 percent are ultimately awarded a Fellowship.
During their first two years, Fellows receive up to $90,000, participate in leadership development gatherings, and will access the powerful network of Echoing Green Fellows, partners, and friends. Echoing Green’s 2014 Barclays Brain Trust Series, sponsored in part by Barclays, is a program of roundtable and mentorship opportunities for Fellows with leading professionals working in marketing, fundraising, business development, and technology. We continue to support our Fellow community long after their initial funding period with ongoing programs and opportunities at critical inflection points in their organizations or careers
We believe investing in and supporting the right people relative to the right ideas and ability to execute, rather than specific business plans, results in a lifetime of leadership. Echoing Green has invested over $36 million in seed-stage funding and strategic assistance in more than 600 world-class leaders driving positive social change around the globe. Echoing Green Fellows include the founders of Teach For America, City Year, College Summit, Citizen Schools, One Acre Fund, and SKS Microfinance.
Echoing Green manages three distinct
Fellowship Programs
The Global Fellowship is our twenty-five year-old program for smart leaders who are deeply connected to the needs and potential solutions that may work best for their communities. Any emerging social entrepreneur from any part of the world working to disrupt the status quo may apply.
The Black Male Achievement (BMA) Fellowship invests in emerging leaders dedicated to improving the life outcomes of black men and boys in the United States. Founded and supported in partnership with the Open Society Foundations, this Fellowship connects Fellows to a network of leaders in the field of black male achievement.
The Climate Fellowship, launched in 2013, is specifically targeted for the best next-generation social entrepreneurs committed to working on innovations in mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
DEADLINE: January 5, 2015
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Consultant – final evaluation – Jos, Nigeria
Search for Common Ground in Nigeria is looking for an experienced evaluator or team of evaluator to conduct the final evaluation of its Plateau Will Arise! (PWA) project in Plateau State, Nigeria. The overall goal of the project is to build an active, locally owned, and inclusive peace architecture in Plateau State. Qualified applicants are invited to submit their methodological and financial offer no later than November 21. The evaluation process is scheduled to take place during the December 2014 – February 2015 period, with a final report expected by February 28.
In July 2013, Search for Common Ground secured an 18-month grant from the European Union under the Instrument Contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP), formerly called the Instrument for Stability (IfS), to carry out an action called Plateau Will Arise! (PWA). The project is being carried out conjointly with the Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP) and the Jos Repertory Theatre (JRT) and in partnership with the Office of the Special Advisor on Peacebuilding and the Plateau Peace Practitioners’ Network (PPPN). The overall goal of the project is to build an active, locally owned, and inclusive peace architecture in Plateau State. The PWA! project targets stakeholders including community residents and leaders, religious leaders, civil society, government officials, and security forces in eight local government areas. It is supported by two specific objectives: (1) Improve the climate of peace in 8 local government areas; (2) Strengthen the role of the State to provide security to the population.
As the project’s first phase is coming to an end, SFCG is looking for a qualified and experienced (team of) Consultant to conduct the final evaluation of the action. The objectives of the evaluation include: (i) Assess the impact of the project by assessing the change in the conflict and peacebuilding context and the contribution of the project to those changes; (ii) Collect the end-line indicators of success; (iii) Draw lessons from the project experience; and (iv) Provide recommendations for an anticipated second phase of the project.
How to apply: Qualified applicants are invited to submit their methodological and financial offer no later than November 21. The evaluation process is scheduled to take place during the December 2014 – February 2015 period, with a final report expected by February 28. All details regarding the project, the evaluation and the application process are to be found in the attached Terms of Reference.
DEADLINE: November 21, 2014
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Job: Women’s Participation And Protection Advisor, Nonviolent Peace Force, South Sudan
Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic international, non-governmental organization which works to reduce violence and protect civilians in situations of violent conflict and its aftermath, mostly through the deployment on the ground of multinational teams of civilians.
In South Sudan, NP has 13 field teams providing thematically focused protection programming in child protection, gender based violence protection and prevention, displacement (IDPs, refugees and returnees, inter-communal violence reduction and conflict early warning/early response). This young country programme is growing rapidly responding to the dynamic, high needs environment in South Sudan.
We are currently looking for a highly motivated candidate to be the first-post holder for the newly created Women’s Participation and Protection Advisor role. You will be person who brings together and advances NP’s programming in this focal area. You will work learn from and help to grow the Women’s Peacekeeping Team projects, the goal of which is to foster and enhance women’s participation in peace and security. You are someone who believes that prevention is protection. You will be inspired by NP’s current prevention of sexual violence programming and have the skills and experience to be able to provide technical advise and support to improve, broaden and strengthen this critical programme stream. You have the ability to analyze complex conflict and protection risks. You are able to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and recognize the primacy of the local actor as foundational for the success of the programmes. You have experience working in a team that is diverse in age, gender, nationality and ethnicities and recognize richness of this environment and the importance of incorporating diverse experiences and perspectives. You will be the focal point for NP’s partnership with other organizations working on the topic, with a particular focus on connecting grassroots initiatives with high level, South Sudanese driven, advocacy engagements.
You are someone who is not deterred by the complexity of conflict; you are able to analyze conflict dynamics; you are motivated and unendingly persistent in contributing to the improved safety and security of civilians affected by violent conflict. You are ready to travel between Juba and the field sites to learn and to travel internationally as required. You combine creativity, innovation and demonstrated knowledge of the humanitarian architecture and key policy issues relating to conflict protection, prevention and peacebuilding. You have excellent interpersonal skills and flair for connecting and building trust with people from a wide variety of backgrounds. You are solutions focused, strategic and is driven by a keen interest and personal commitment to in civilian protection. You are excited by the opportunity to contribute to building the organization as well as the subject matter of the post itself.
For more information about NP and its work, as well as full details of the position and the application process, please go to NP’s website: www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org
Send CV together with a letter detailing your motivation for this position and illustrating your suitability to the post to recruitNPSS(at)nonviolentpeaceforce.org
Due to the high volume of applications received, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.
DEADLINE: November 15, 2014
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2015 Grant Applications for Photography Projects on Conflict, The Aftermath Project
The Aftermath Project’s mission is to support photographic projects that tell the other half of the story of conflict — the story of what it takes for individuals to learn to live again, to rebuild destroyed lives and homes, to restore civil societies, to address the lingering wounds of war while struggling to create new avenues for peace. Grant proposals should reflect an understanding of this mission. Proposals may relate to the aftermath of numerous kinds of conflict, not just international wars. The conflict may have been at the community level — for example, violence between rural ethnic groups or an urban riot in an industrialized country. It may have been a regional one, such as a rebel insurgency, or it may have been a full-scale war. There is no specific time frame that defines “aftermath,” although in general The Aftermath Project seeks to support stories which are no longer being covered by the mainstream media, or which have been ignored by the media. In general, conflict should be over for a situation to be deemed an “aftermath.” There are specific cases, however, where conflict may have continued for so long, or be the result of an aftermath situation, that they will be considered to be within the scope of The Aftermath Project. If you have doubts about whether your proposal meets these guidelines, please email sara(at)theaftermathproject.org.
Proposals should include an explanation of the specific aftermath issues related to the project being proposed, as well as an overview of the applicant’s plans for covering the story during the course of the grant year — i.e, the proposed timing of trips, etc. You MUST inform The Aftermath Project if you have any commercial commitments or contracts related to the project you are proposing, including book deals and exhibitions. Failure to do so on the part of a grant winner will automatically terminate the grant, and the winner will forfeit any funds he/she has not yet received from The Aftermath Project.
YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE:
1. A signed application form (next page), saved as a PDF or jpg file.
2. A project proposal, not to exceed two pages, saved as a PDF file.
3. A portfolio of no more than 30 images, in jpg format. You must label your images with your last name, followed by a number – ie, Smith_1.jpg. Your images MUST be sized 1200 pixels on the longest side, at 72 dpi – with a file size of NO LARGER than 2 MB PER PHOTO.
4. A caption sheet, saved as a PDF file.
5. Do NOT send anything else with your application.
NOTE ABOUT YOUR PORTFOLIO: If you have not yet begun the project you are proposing, that’s fine! Please submit other images that shows your photographic and storytelling skills. If you have begun the project you are proposing, please include a selection of those images in your portfolio.
TO FILE VIA DROPBOX:
1. When you are READY TO FILE, send an email to sara(at)theaftermathproject.org, asking to be invited to the Dropbox folder. Once you receive the invitation to join, you will have 24 hours to upload. Your invitation will be cancelled after 24 hours.
2. Put all your application materials into ONE FOLDER titled like this: LAST NAME_FIRST NAME, and put it into the Dropbox file. You will be notified by email that we have received your application (give us a week to do that, please).
NOTE: Your application materials will be downloaded as soon as possible and will not remain online for other photographers to see in the uploading process. We have tracking software that allows us to determine if you have looked into a file that is not your own. If you have done this, your application will automatically be disqualified.
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Job: Child Protection Specialist (Violence Against Children) P-4, UNICEF, Nairobi, Kenya
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Child Protection Specialist (Violence Against Children) P-4, Nairobi, Kenya
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Vacancy No: E-VN-2014-002844
Duty Station: Nairobi
Country: Kenya
Region: ESARO
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Job Level:
Position#: KENCPSP4
Application Close: 17-Nov-14
Contract Type: Temp/Short-term Staff
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– Eight years of relevant work experience at national and international levels in child protection or gender programming, with experience on gender equality.
– Fluency in English and another UN language.
– Advanced knowledge of one or more of the technical areas of UNICEF programmes.
– Advanced technical knowledge of theories, principles and methods in the following: Strengthening child protection systems and partner capacity for protecting children against violence and harmful norms and practices including child marriage. Use of data and indicators in child protection.
– Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
– Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
– Has good leadership skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the groups are clear.
– Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.
– Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.
– Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.
– Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.
– Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.
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Project Officer: Reconciliation Barometer
The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) was founded in the wake of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission and promotes fair, democratic, and inclusive societies in post-conflict states across Africa.
Project Officer: Reconciliation Barometer
The Policy and Analysis Unit within IJR is responsible for the commissioning, analysis and reporting of public opinion surveys that help measure and reflect national and regional issues that centre around economic and transitional justice, transformation and reconciliation. The Unit is widely known for publications such as the annual Transformation Audit and Reconciliation Barometer and has recently partnered with the Afrobarometer to manage rollout and implementation of the survey in ten regions in Southern Africa.
The Reconciliation Barometer (RB) is a national survey-based public opinion project, located in the IJR’s Policy and Analysis (PA) Unit in Cape Town. Since its launch in 2003, the Barometer has measured citizen attitudes towards national reconciliation, social cohesion, economic transformation, and democratic governance in South Africa The IJR seeks to recruit a talented and experienced Project Officer to support implementation of this flagship project and raise its profile in South Africa and internationally.
Job Description
- Data analysis of SA Reconciliation Barometer Data
- Participate in the development of an annual plan for the design and implementation of the RB;
- Update and manage the RB blog;
- Project manage and assist with organising regular events to promote discussion of issues raised by the RB;
- Contribute to Policy and Analysis programme strategy development and implementation planning;
- Brief stakeholders, policymakers and potential subscribers of IJR about reconciliation and transformation processes, drawing on statistical analysis of public opinion data results;
- Develop a publicity and public engagement strategy;
- Attend conference and presentations that contribute to the Programme’s impact and public profile Produce regular opinion pieces, and policy briefs based on the content of the RB
Qualifications and Experience required
- Recent post-graduate degree majoring in Politics, Economics, or Sociology;
- A high level of proficiency in the analysis in the analysis of quantitative social data using SPSS, SAS or STATISTICA ;
- Extensive knowledge and appreciation of the broader socio-political context in Southern Africa – must be passionate about developing a deeper understanding about reconciliation.
- Exceptional writing and editorial skills
- Must be a South African Citizen or have a valid working permit
- Willingness to travel in Africa, and occasionally beyond, on a regular basis,
- Good interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in a multi-national environment, An ability to see the ‘bigger picture’ and connect the dots between such findings and broader policy debates.
- A flair for effective communication, which includes excellent writing and editorial skills, active social media skills, interaction with the media, and public speaking.
Documents required for application:
Submit a letter of motivation, CV with one contactable references, and salary expectations to Simone Brandi (sbrandi@ijr.org.za).
Contact:
Name: Simone Brandi
Phone: 021 202 4071
Email: sbrandi@ijr.org.za
DEADLINE: November 26, 2014
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2014 Advancing Ethical Research (AER) Conference; Session: “Ethics During the Time of Ebola”
WHEN: December 6 from 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM.
WHERE: Baltimore, MD
Description:
“[Brandon Brown], Nancy E. Kass, ScD, Bavon Mupenda, MPH, [and] Aminu A. Yakubu… will explore the ethical concerns related to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa and the United States, including the issues faced by health care workers; concerns related to the use of vaccines and experimental drugs during the Ebola outbreak including black market treatments; the potential effect of misunderstandings and stigma about Ebola; and questions related to quarantine rules and resource allocation.”
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Application deadline extended: East & South African Youth Fellowship 2015 in Botswana
The application deadline for the East & South African Youth Fellowship 2015 in Botswana has been extended to November 9th.
Peace Revolution East & South African Youth Fellowship in Botswana – January 2015
Applications for the Peace Revolution East &South African Youth Fellowship in Botswana – January 26-30 2015 are open now!
“Be the change you want to see in the world ~ Mahatma Gandhi’
The fellowship will bring together 50 young people from all over East/South Africa who are interested in learning and exploring self-development as a primary means to create real world change. This retreat aims to promote a culture of peace, peace education, conflict prevention and youth empowerment through the primary means of meditation and self-development.
The fellowship offers a 5 days intensive training program providing participants with deeper insight in the relationship between inner peace and sustainable world peace and enhancing their ability to create peace within their family, professional and social environment.
The fellowship includes:
- Full sponsoring of airfare
- Free accommodation
- Free catering
- Free local transportation
- Free meditation retreat fee
Eligibility:
- Candidates must be East & South African nationals residing in Africa. The countries from these region are: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Reunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland. .
- Candidates should be 18-30 years old at the time of submitting the application in order to receive the airfare support.
- Candidates must have completed at least 21 days of the online Self-Development Program by November 25th. Note that in order to submit the application form, candidates do not need to have completed the online self-development program.
- Candidates have good proficiency in written and spoken English language.
- Candidates should be optimistic, open-minded, show leadership potential, and have a genuine interest in peace and dialogue.
- Candidates should be young leaders in local, national or international organizations.
- Candidates should send a recommendation letter from their organizations/institutions.
- Candidates need to pay a commitment fee of 100USD before the arrival to the retreat site (by Bank transfer or Western Union)
Application Deadline – November 31th, 2014 (last date to apply online)
Eligibility Deadline – November 25th, 2014 (last date to complete at least 21 days of the online Self-Development Program)
DEADLINE: November 9, 2014
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Policy Analyst, Central African Republic, Enough Project
Summary
Reporting to the Director of Research and Editorial and working in collaboration with staff and contractors on the Central African Republic, or CAR, the Policy Analyst on the Central African Republic will be responsible for researching and writing about the drivers of conflict in CAR and the surrounding region, including the war economy and sources of financing for the conflicting parties. The Policy Analyst will also focus on related U.S. government, corporate, and international policy for the Enough Project’s policy papers, briefings, communications, and advocacy efforts. This is a position requiring three main areas of expertise: deep, field-based knowledge about the economic, security, and political dynamics in CAR and the region, including on conflict resources such as diamonds, gold, and ivory that are smuggled to international markets to fund armed groups; policy acumen, particularly regarding U.S. policy in Africa; and a demonstrated ability to write concise policy reports and briefing papers. Fluency in French is required.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct original research and policy analysis on the dynamics of conflict and peace in the Central African Republic, including on conflict resources such as diamonds, gold, ivory, and other illicit natural resource trade, as well as regional political and security dynamics. The research will take place in CAR, neighboring countries, trade hubs for illicit resource trading such as Dubai, and policy capitals including Washington, New York, Paris, and elsewhere.
- Work collaboratively to set a research agenda for the subject.
- Author, co-author, and edit policy reports, memos, op-eds, and other documents on the subject.
- Help formulate original policy recommendations and encourage adoption by senior policymakers within the U.S. government, other influential governments, the African Union, and the United Nations.
- Build relationships with officials in the U.S. government, international organizations such as the United Nations, European Union, African Union, and other key players to gather timely—and occasionally, rapid-response—information for conflict analysis and report writing; expand Enough’s network of contacts within the policy community and deepen Enough’s relationships with policymakers and influential actors in the United States and overseas.
- Work in consultation with the head of the CAR team and the Directors of Research and Editorial and Communications to plan, develop, and contribute regular content that is dynamic, original, thoroughly grounded in policy expertise, and accessible to a broad audience.
- Liaise with field staff, consultants, and policy teams.
- Assist the advocacy team to help shape subject-related campaign messaging.
- Contribute dynamic, original, and accessible content for op-eds for outside publications, the Enough blog, and websites on a regular basis.
- Represent Enough in the media through interviews and regular publication of op-eds and occasional articles in publications of note.
- Represent Enough at subject-related meetings and events, both inside and outside Washington, D.C.
- Review fundraising materials and reports to donors.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements and qualifications:
- Four to six years’ experience working on CAR and the region, including demonstrated knowledge of political, economic, and security dynamics in CAR and the region and an ability to provide concise in-depth analysis and write professionally on the issue area.
- Proven ability to conduct policy research and a strong understanding of policymaking issues and the policy community and the implications of various advocacy and policy approaches, particularly U.S. government policy.
- Master’s degree strongly preferred. Bachelor’s degree and four to six years of post-college working experience.
- Previous field experience in central Africa a major plus.
- Strong academic background or work experience in the prevention of atrocities, human rights, illicit natural resource trade, conflict prevention and resolution, and the responsibility to protect.
- Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication.
- Adept team player with good interpersonal skills.
- A strong commitment to human rights and conflict resolution and to Enough’s mission to end genocide and mass atrocities.
- Superb organization and time-management skills, including the ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
- Ability to keep calm and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Good humor and general problem-solving skills.
- Fluency in French required.
American Progress provides a competitive compensation and benefits package.
American Progress is an equal opportunity employer; women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
For more information on the Center for American Progress, please go to www.americanprogress.org.
For more information on the Center for American Progress Action Fund, please go to www.americanprogressaction.org.
To apply
E-mail your Word resume and cover letter attachments to: jobs@americanprogress.org.
Or you may write to: Center for American Progress, 1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor, Washington, D.C., 20005.
In your correspondence, please reference the exact title of the job you are applying for in the subject line. This announcement will remain posted until the position is filled. No phone calls please.
Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of this position will be considered applicants and will receive responses from American Progress.
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