Careers in peacebuilding and conflict resolution

Career prospects in PACS

Terminology and focus of work Conflict programming PACS and Staffing Career opportunities in PACS KSAs needed for a career Main resources of recruitment Potential challenges Words of wisdom for potentials

Terminology and focus of work

Peacebuilding and conflict transformation (addressing the root and structural causes of conflict)

Conflict resolution (building capacity, skills training, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, etc.)

Conflict management and mitigation ( the good offices) Conflict prevention(helping prevent and resolve conflict). Peace education(introducing peace and conflict resolution skills into

the education systems)

Peacekeeping (non-combat evacuations, peace enforcement missions, etc.)

Conflict recovery (trust building, improving relationships, strengthening institutions, etc.)

Conflict programming(integration)

Mainstreaming conflict resolution into other activities Pressure coming from donors The link between failed development efforts and conflict Conflict resolution and other areas are NOT MUTUALLY

EXCLUSIVE

PACS and Staffing

Organisations may have one person or a section working on peacebuilding issues (orientation and morphing determine staff requirements)

Peacebuilding issues are spread throughout the organisation Project -Expatriate and local staff (voter education, human

rights, good governance, etc.)

Career opportunities in PACS

Larger organisations are likely to have openings than small organisations

Organisations are likely to hire those with a degree in PACS and additional skills or expertise (field experience, etc.)

Consultant, project leader, resource person, contractual terms (temporary or permanent)

Salaries vary with type of organisation, skill level, experience, nature of position, funding source, etc.

Expatriates are usually paid more than locals There is no fixed career path in peacebuilding so far, you can

move from being program officer to country rep (e.g. Carolyn Fanell with CRS)

KSAs for a career in PACS

Cross-cultural skills and field experience (ability to move in and out of cultures, let go of one’s attachments of cultural determined ways of doing things, overseas experience, language other than your own, etc.)

Peace and conflict resolution skills (KSAs in negotiation, mediation, facilitation, dialoguing, effective listening, etc.)

Cross-sectoral expertise (KSAs and expertise in areas that are complimentary to PACS)

Academic training in PACS ( degree in PACS related area)

General project management KSAs (research, report writing, project management, budgeting and budgetary control, etc)

Personal KSAs (creativity, thinking outside the box, flexibility, patient, humility, sense of humour, eagerness to learn, passion for your work, etc.)

Talk the international language (understand and interpret the field jargon, speak the language of policy makers, decision makers, grassroots, program officers, politicians, etc.)

Strategic Peacebuilding Pathwayshttp://kroc.nd.edu/alumni/career-resources/strategic-peacebuilding-pathways

Strategic Peacebuilding Pathways The inner circle highlights the three major areas of strategic

peacebuilding:  1) efforts to prevent, respond to, and transform violent conflict; 2) efforts to promote justice and healing; and 3) efforts to promote structural and institutional change.  

The outer circle highlights sub-areas of practice and career focus within those three areas. For each of these sub-areas, a variety of individual career pathways emerge. 

Main resources for recruitment Organisational websites

Other websites(www.conflicttransformation.org; www.comminit.com; www.Devnetjobs.net; www.DevelopmentEx.com; www.Idealist.org; www.Reliefweb.int; etc.)

Online Publications (international career employment weekly, etc.)

University career centres/departments (uq career hub, etc.)

Potential Challenges Security and quality of life (low level-entry salaries,

short-term assignments, etc.)

Degree or work experience? (realism and not idealism)

Getting the first job (intense competition, in-country professionals vs expatriates, etc.)

Quality of life (lots of travelling, work pressure, risk environments, burnout, exhaustion, etc.)

Cultural issues (awareness of local context, cultural differences, sensitivities, etc.)

Safety issues (security protocols, back up procedures, confrontations with violent individuals or groups, etc.)

Words of Wisdom Develop a Strong Resume (

Download TipsforWritingEffectiveResumes.pdf) Conduct Informational Interviews Subscribe to Key Webs and Job Lists Use your contacts/networks Join New Networks Examine Ethical Practice Considering Taking a Job to Get Experience Explore Fellowship Opportunities Explore Organizations that Have Developed Mentoring

Programs for New Employees Develop an Expertise in a Needed Area

Thank You