Job Vacancies Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, June 2012

Job Vacancies Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict
Position: Consultant
Location: United States of America ( The ), New York
Closing Date: Saturday, 30 June 2012

Background
The Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict is an NGO network that monitors and reports on violations against the rights of children and adolescents in specific situations of armed conflict. Watchlist uses this information to urge action by the UN Security Council, other UN agencies and appropriate governments. Watchlist also provides capacity strengthening support to local NGO partners in areas of conflict to build sustainable grass roots monitoring, reporting and advocacy networks related to violations against children in armed conflicts.

In June 2012, the UN Secretary General will deliver his 11th annual report on children and armed conflict (CAC) to the UN Security Council. This report will trigger a number of activities on the UN’s Children and Armed Conflict – agenda and is expected to be discussed by the UN Security Council during its Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict in September 2012.
Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict will play its expected and necessary role of influencing the Open Debate’s outcome document and the next steps of the UN Security Council’s CAC agenda through the development of a strategic, timely and targeted briefing note and related advocacy activities aimed at influencing decision-makers at the UN Security Council as well as the member states participating in the Group of Friends.

Time Frame of Consultancy Start: June 1st, 2012 (Tentative)
End: August 31st 2012 (Tentative)
Consultant Duties Under general guidance from the Watchlist Director and Advocacy Officer and with general logistical support from the Program Manager, and with input from the Watchlist network (Advisory Board member organizations, Watchlist staff and grassroots partners), the Consultant will research and write a briefing note aimed at influencing the 2012 annual Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict, as well as its outcome document. Where possible, the consultant may also participate in the production process, as well as related advocacy meetings and follow up with key stakeholders.

Consultant Outputs Activity 1:
Development of a Watchlist briefing note This activity includes research, consultations, writing, and content editing of the policy paper. The consultant will work with experts from the Watchlist NGO network, UN agencies and diplomatic community, and consult with selected field partners to identify the next steps needed on the Security Council’s CAC agenda to make sustainable progress on protecting children in armed conflicts.
The consultant will depart from the policy ideas captured in Watchlist’s 2011 Briefing Note:
“Next Steps to Protect Children in Armed Conflict”, section 2: “Strengthening Accountability through Dialogue, Action Plans and Sanctions”. The research and questioning will focus on efforts to hold perpetrators of violations against children accountable, specifically through the use of humanitarian dialogue and the listing and de-listing of armed forces and groups by means of Action Plans.

The consultant will specifically look into a number of case studies. These will involve countries with armed forces and armed groups, who have either committed to Action Plans, signed Actions Plans, are in various stages of implementing the Action Plans, or have failed to sign an Action Plan after a humanitarian dialogue. Some of the following aspects will be researched (not an exhaustive list):
What made the humanitarian dialogue/negotiations succeed or fail?
What are main differences between Action Plans and related humanitarian negotiations for child recruitment & use vs. killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence and attacks on schools and hospitals?
How are the dynamics between UN HQ and UN Country Teams/1612 Country Task Forces?
What, if any, is the specific role of the diplomatic presence of third party governments in the negotiations?
What, if any, is the specific role of civil society in the negotiations?

The consultant will consolidate the findings and recommendations into a briefing note of maximum 8 to 10 pages. The recommendations will be based on desk research and interviews with experts at HQ and in the field. Interviews will be primarily done by phone, however, budget permitting, the consultant may travel to 2 countries for in-depth research about the successes and challenges of the Action Plan.

Activity 2:
Production of a Watchlist Briefing Note Contribute to the production team with the aim to produce a professionally edited, designed and printed note with high quality electronic and hard copy versions. (Approximately 100 printed papers). This contribution can consists of the following elements: abide by the production schedule agreed at the onset of the research; provide feedback to the copy-editor to ensure that proposed edits do not affect the content of the document; review the final copy-edited version.

Activity 3:
Advocacy Activities to Promote Policy Ideas Join Watchlist, where possible, in a series of strategic multi-lateral and bi-lateral meetings to promote the policy ideas put forward in the briefing note.

Consultant Deliverables:
Final draft of a briefing note that draws on research, interviews and analysis conducted among key stakeholders.
Work with outside experts to deliver a professionally edited, designed and printed briefing note with high quality electronic and hard copy versions.
Join a series of strategic multi-lateral and bi-lateral meetings to promote policy ideas put forward by Watchlist

Requirements:
Master’s Degree in international affairs, public policy or related field
Past experience proving political and diplomatic/negotiation skills working with NGOs and governments
Knowledge of international human rights and humanitarian law, particularly UN Security Council Resolution 1612, with specialization in children and armed conflict preferred
Excellent knowledge of UN system and relevant international and regional organizations
Excellent written and spoken English. Working knowledge of French desirable.

Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment
Experience managing complex projects and deadlines involving different partners

Compensation:
Fee upon deliverable
Incidentals as appropriate

How to apply:
To apply submit r©sum©, cover letter, 2 writing samples– (1) an unedited 3 page sample and (2) an excerpt of comprehensive research-based writing via email to: Brooke Blanchard, Watchlist Program Manager: brookeb@watchlist.org




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