Project Coordinator/ Advocacy Officer/ Protection Officer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Background

From 2022, Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP) with the support of Peace Brigades International (PBI) will implement a project dubbed “Peer Learning: Defending Human Rights, Protecting W/HRDs”.

This new and exciting project will focus on the engagement with (marginalised) W/HRDs working on issues of sexual and gender-based violence, starting in Province 2 and possibly extending to other provinces in the coming years. In a previous project, COCAP has already set up peer learning groups, first on province level and since 2021 in all eight districts of Province 2, hence there’s a growing network of activists from diverse backgrounds and with different gender identities. The objective of the peer learning network is to encourage mutual learning and support structures, strengthening capacities on topics like security, mental health, networking & advocacy and to provide tailormade protection support to those W/HRDs that might face risks due to their human rights work.

The organizations

Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP) is a national network of 43 peace and human rights non-governmental organizations from 29 different districts of Nepal. It started as a loose, informal forum in June 2001 and was registered with the government of Nepal as a non-profit, non-political network in December 2002. It aims to provide a common space for its members, volunteers and friends to collectively engage in the pursuit for peace, human rights and justice in Nepal. 

Peace Brigades International (pbi) provides protection, support and recognition to at risk human rights defenders (HRDs) who work in areas of repression and conflict around the world. While pbi carries out a range of other activities in support of HRDs including security trainings, advocacy capacity building and policy advocacy work, unarmed protective accompaniment remains at the heart of what the organisation does, testifying to its enduring effectiveness as a protection tool. 

COCAP seeks applications from qualified and result oriented candidates for the following positions:

1. Project Coordinator

Responsibilities

MANAGEMENT & HUMAN RESOURCES

• Coordinate and lead the work of the peer learning project team
• Promote a good workflow within the team 
• Ensure coordination & fluid communication with relevant COCAP units including Program Manager

STRATEGY; MONITORING, EVALUATION & LEARNING (MEL)

• Advance, implement and manage the strategic plan for the peer learning project in collaboration with the team, COCAPs Program Manager, as well as the (remotely-based) PBI Germany section 
• Stay abreast of contextual developments which affect the peer learning project strategy
• Support development of a MEL tool
• Guide and supervise the Monitoring and Evaluation process
• Develop workshop content & methodologies (together with Program Officer)

FINANCE MANAGEMENT & FUNDRAISING

• Develop annual operational plan and budget
• Assume budget responsibility in coordination with COCAPs Finance Department
• Ensure all financial and narrative donor requirements are met
• Explore new funding options for the project and write/ coordinate funding proposals where suitable

NETWORKING

• Cooperate with other organizations in implementing CPS programs according to the CPS country strategy for Nepal

Your profile 

• Master’s degree in Social Science, Gender Studies, Human Rights, Law or related field
• At least four years work experience with a peace/ human rights/ women rights NGO, preferably in a leading position
• Excellent skills in project management
• Thorough understanding of the Nepali political and social context with regards to human rights and with a special focus on gender issues and those of minority groups
• Excellent skills in strategy development and implementation
• Experience in designing, implementing and overseeing MEL related tasks
• Experience in workshops conceptualization and knowledge of participatory training tools 
• Demonstrable experience in finance management and fundraising
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to work both in a team and independently
• Excellent time management/ multi-tasking skills
• Experience working with grassroots W/HRDs a plus
• You are a citizen of Nepal

2. Advocacy Officer

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and monitor long-term advocacy strategy in coordination with project coordinator and other relevant COCAP units
• Manage and strengthen relationships with relevant national stakeholders and actors who work on human rights with a special focus on gender issues and issues of marginalized groups (e.g. Police, government institutions, judiciary, NGO/ CSOs/ networks)
• Networking and Advocacy with international community (Embassies, UN, EU) including organization of round tables, expert discussions or similar
• Develop content of regular advocacy circulars and coordinate production of website and social media content and other communication materials in consultation with Program Assistant, Program Officer and COCAPs Communication Officer
• Develop training content on relevant advocacy related topics & carry out trainings for peers to strengthen their advocacy skills
• Ensure fluid communication and exchange with Province Level

Your profile 

• Bachelor's degree in Social Science or related field
• Two years of relevant working experience, preferably within an I/NGO environment
• Good understanding of the Nepali political and social context with regards to human rights and with a special focus on gender issues and those of minority groups
• Demonstrable experience in proactive and effective networking
• Demonstrable experience in (human rights) advocating, e.g. drafting pleas, policy recommendations, organizing round tables, know how to address different types of  (political) stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to communicate effectively and create relationships with very different targets and audiences
• Politically aware and politically sensitive
• Good time management/ multi-tasking skills
• Structured and well-organised way of working and result minded
• You are a citizen of Nepal 

3. Protection Officer

Responsibilities

• Implement and monitor COCAP protection strategy in coordination with Project Coordinator and other relevant counterparts
• Be first point of contact for Peers and offer consistently sensitive, empathetic and professional support in terms of protection and security
• Undertake primary data collection to support the documentation of incidents and preparation of legal cases, design effective systems for monitoring and evaluating learning and impact
• Carry out regular risk analysis, including development of risk analysis with and for participants of the peer learning network
• Provide trainings on relevant security and protection topics for participants of the peer learning network, develop protection strategies (holistic security approach)
• Build and maintain a strong network of lawyers and relevant service providers e.g. medical professionals, livelihood providers, etc. as well as relevant government authorities in the field
• Assist in development of reports and submissions to relevant national and international authorities on specific cases and key issues and trends, in coordination with the Advocacy Officer
• Ensure fluid communication and cooperation with Project Coordinator, Program Officer and Advocacy Officer as well as with all relevant units within COCAP
• Assist further conceptual development of the project

Your profile 

• Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Law, Social Work or related field
• At least two years of work experience with a peace/ human rights/ women rights NGO
• Good project management skills
• Strong skills in supporting people affected by violence and capable of working professionally to managing sensitive and complex data about specific cases
• Interest in protection and security management, especially as relating to Human Rights Defenders
• Willing to work in a complex political and socio-cultural environment and open and able to undertake extensive travel, including visits to remote areas
• Strong communication and conflict resolutions skills and enjoy working as part of a team
• Good written and spoken English and Nepali skills, including the capacity to produce detailed and professional reports 
• Committed to Human Rights and Gender Equality and the role of civil society in promoting them
• Willing and able to abide by strict security protocols, including the use of security software, and to respect the confidentiality of PBI, COCAP, and all of their contacts
• Experience/skills to register and deal with cases
• You are a citizen of Nepal 

Application Details

Please submit your complete application (cover letter, CV with names and contact details of two referees) with the position’s name clearly mentioned as subject by e-mail to vacancy.cocap@gmail.com. Please, also indicate your salary expectation.

Women, Dalits, Janajatis, and Madhesi people, people with disabilities, other minorities, and COCAP volunteers are especially encouraged to apply.