African Council of Religious Leaders-Religions for Peace (ACRL) Job Vacancies

The African Council of Religious Leaders-Religions for Peace (ACRL) is the foremost pan-African multi-religious body dedicated to responding to pan-African and regional challenges related violent conflict, promoting peace and advancing sustainable development.

It is led by senior religious leaders drawn from each of Africa's main religious traditions and all parts of the continent. ACRL's mission is to advance multi-religious dialogue and cooperation in support of peace and sustainable development.

The Council's objective include

• transforming conflicts and advancing sustainable development;
  
• promoting peaceful co-existence and respect of religious diversity;
  
• facilitating and promoting mediation and conflict resolution within and outside faith communities;
  
• facilitating cooperation among African national Inter-religious Councils (IRCs) in responding to pan-African challenges.
• Other objectives are taking action within African states in times of emergency or crisis, and advocating for and promoting of human rights, justice and the rule of law.
  

ACRL is inviting applications from qualified nationals from Africa to fill the following positions at its Nairobi office

1. Director of Programs

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead ACRL project management cycle from proposal development through monitoring and implementation; as well as coordinating the annual program planning process among ACRL program staff.
• Develop and coordinate organisation's program strategy and policies to ensure effective management of resources for achieving results.
• Develop and oversee systems for monitoring program outcomes and impact.
• Provide technical assistance, advice and support in project planning, implementation, and reporting to program staff, IRCs, women and youth networks.
• Ensure linkages, networking and coordination in program implementation among different departments, affiliated and sub-regions to secure optimal program effectiveness and impact.
• Assist in coordination of program partnership development through information and technical support to the program staff, IRCs, women and youth networks.
• Develop, in close coordination with the Office of the Secretary General, organisational advocacy strategy and priority issues based on the ACRL's goals.
• Develop position and policy materials on key issues of the ACRL agenda, linking with relevant research institutions and other key stakeholders.
• Build and strengthen partnerships and networks in the continent.
• Represent ACRL work in meetings, workshops, international conferences and other forums.

Education, Skills and Professional Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, or related field. Longer term experience may be considered in lieu of higher academic degree.
• At least 7 years experience work in related field, especially in Program Management.
• Good planning, goal setting and prioritization skills.
• Ability to lead and inspire staff and partners towards a shared goal.
• Excellent organisational and management skills, including the ability to work on a number of tasks at once, and with tight deadlines.
• Capacity to write clearly and concisely, ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Ability to work across multi-cultural and faith context and adapt to different environments.
• Some experience of working with inter-faith organizations.
• Good communication skills, with proven expertise in writing strong and convincing policy and program documents.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Ability to communicate in French will be an added advantage.

2. Program Officer, Conflict Transformation and Peace Building

Primary Responsibilities:

• Maintain regular contact and close working relationships with relevant ACRL partners working on conflict transformation and peace building projects in Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes and West Africa regions, and to possibly expand into other countries throughout the continent.
• Conduct monitoring visits covering the Conflict Transformation Program countries. Develop and improve processes for effective outcomes of activities implemented within the program; in particular, implementing a monitoring and evaluation strategy to assure the Inter-Religious Councils activities are consistent with individual project strategic objectives.
• Manage and ensure proper implementation of project activities according to grant agreements and project proposals; and compliance with donor regulations and project objectives.
• Responsible for all aspects of grant management systems including on-going reports and program updates, budget oversight and evaluation of individual sub-regional project achievements.
• Design and implement peace building project activities consistent with ACRL's Conflict Transformation Program goals in Africa.
• Coordinate with other programs within ACRL including women and youth activities.
• Prepare quarterly reports on the Program and periodic narrative and financial reports for project donors in coordination with ACRL Finance Manager and Director of Programs.
• Responsible for program development and proposal writing towards strengthening the ACRL Conflict Transformation Program in Africa.
• Promote and strengthen networking, information sharing and coordination.

Education, Skills and Professional Qualifications

• Masters Degree in social studies, international relations, conflict management and peace studies. Longer term experience may be considered in lieu of higher academic degree.
• At least 5 years experience work in related field.
• Excellent leadership and organisational and management skills, including the ability to work independently and on a number of tasks at once, and with tight deadlines.
• Strong writing skills, including the capacity to produce succinct reports.
• Systematic approach to making logistical arrangements, flexibility in responding to the unexpected changes.
• Inter-personal and communication skills - capacity to guide and support others to implement an agreed plan of action.
• Experience of working with inter-faith organizations is desirable.
• Readiness to work in diverse environments, cultures and faiths.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Ability to communicate in French will be an added advantage.

3. Executive Secretary

Primary Responsibilities:

• Responsible for all administrative duties in the office of the Secretary General related to the ACRL Governing Board, the Executive and Finance Committees.
• Communication with ACRL Governing Board, the Executive and Finance Committees, National-based Inter Religious Councils (IRCs) sub-regional platforms and committees and external audiences and partners.
• Manage appointments and other duties of the ACRL Secretary General.
• Responsible for logistical arrangements of meetings, peace and fact-finding missions in and out of the office.
• Attend related meetings and forums in and outside of ACRL.
• Liaise with the print and electronic media on issues pertinent to the organization.

Education, Skills and Professional Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences or related field.
• At least 2 years of prior professional experience in a similar post.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Ability to communicate in French will be an added advantage.
  

Applications

Please send a cover letter and CV explaining your interest in the job to the Finance and Administration Manager by email admin @ acrl-rfp.org or post to P.O. Box 76398-00508, Nairobi, Kenya before 27th June 2009.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted