Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is an international nonprofit with offices around the world working to improve protection for civilians caught in conflict zones. CIVIC envisions a world in which no civilian is harmed in conflict. Our mission is to support communities affected by conflict in their quest for protection and strengthen the resolve and capacity of armed actors to prevent and respond to civilian harm. We are advocates who believe that no civilian caught in conflict should be ignored, and advisors who provide practical solutions to preventing and responding to civilian harm. Learn more at civiliansinconflict.org

CIVIC supported the FC-G5S to establish a system to track and adjust operations to mitigate civilian harm, the Civilian Incident Tracking and Analysis Mechanism (CITAC/MISAD), and ensure that FC-G5S personnel have a strong understanding of how to run and fully utilize this tool in furtherance of the HRCF.

In addition to CIVIC Sahel’s work with the FC-G5S, the Sahel team is planning to work in Niger, with additional support to Malian and Burkinabe forces. The aim is to move from the multinational (the MISAD) to the national level, using the impact of the MISAD to implement CHM at the national level of all three countries is a priority.

“Civilians in the Sahel are better protected” is the strategic vision of CIVIC Sahel program for the next four years. CIVIC aims to support conflict-affected civilians and civil society organizations improve their capacities and means to advance communities self-protection, and security forces improve capabilities and tools to protect civilians.

CIVIC is seeking for two (2) Senior Military Advisors (SMAs) for the program in Mali and the G5 Sahel.

The Senior Military Advisors (SMAs) will be highly valued members of CIVIC’s program in the Sahel, which focuses on the protection of civilians in the region and in countries. The SMAs will be responsible for providing technical assistance and advising to Sahelian forces on implementing efforts to mitigate harm to civilians. The SMAs will also be responsible for providing military advice and training to Sahelian and associated militaries, as well as additional project stakeholders.

Job Purpose: Advise and train Sahelian and associated militaries on the protection of civilians and how to mitigate harm to civilians during operations.

Location: Bamako, Mali and Roving (G5 Sahel Countries)

Travel: Up to 40% (local, regional and international)

Reporting to: Regional Director, Sahel and Deputy Country Directors (Niger)

KEY FUNCTIONS

Support CIVIC’s Sahel projects, particularly its efforts to support the Forces Armées du Niger (FAN), the Forces Armées du Mali (FAMa) and the Forces Armées du Burkina Faso (FABF) and the G5S joint Force (FC-G5S) to develop capabilities to mitigate civilian harm in their operations areas.

• Cultivate strong working relationships with senior government, military, and civil society leaders.
• Oversee the provision of, and directly provide, technical expertise pertaining to the protection of civilians in armed conflicts to which Sahelian countries are party.
• Oversee the design and implementation of tools, systems, processes, tactics/techniques/procedures to minimize the harm caused to civilians during operations and foster better protection of civilians.
• Develop training modules and deliver workshops – in close coordination with CIVIC’s international military advisors – on the key tenets of civilian harm mitigation and protection of civilians to military and civilian members of Sahelian governments.
• Oversee and conduct advocacy with senior government and military officials to advance programmatic and policy changes related to the protection of civilians.
• Oversee and coordinate the program portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability, while fostering continuity through building the capacity of external partners.
• Disseminate findings from CIVIC’s work that are of importance to decision-makers in a position to fund or implement projects in the Sahel.
• Work with Regional Director to promote CIVIC with NGO networks and government stakeholders to promote effective collaborations and partnerships.
• Promote the representation, training, and advocacy on civilian protection and harm mitigation.
• Assess training efforts to provide recommendations to diverse stakeholders in order to improve civilian protection.
• Keep CIVIC’s international and national partners and others informed about progress of the projects, plans for the development of new programs/projects/activities.
• Conduct monitoring and reporting of activities in support of project reporting requirements.
• Work with the monitoring, evaluation and learning team to track on the effectiveness efforts.
• Build Strategic relationships and partnerships with key foreign missions.

Qualifications Required

• Past Military Experience at Senior Level of Armed Forces (Army Lt. Colonel, Navy Commander, Air Force Lt. Colonel, or higher rank).
• Experience training armed forces, preferably in the FAN or FAMa, FABF, specifically relating protection of civilians and/or International Humanitarian law.
• Prior experience working at a non-profit desirable.
• Flexibility, cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Computer literacy including proficiency in Excel, Word, Power Point, etc.
• Fluency in written and spoken French and English.
• Ability to write high-quality narrative and qualitative reports.
• Demonstrated experience networking with donors, government officials and the private sector.
• Strong personal network in any Sahelian country strongly desired.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop collaborative relationships, especially in a multi-component project.
• Superior analytic, communication and interpersonal skills, including training and facilitation skills and demonstrated experience working with multicultural teams.
• High level of integrity in dealing with co-workers and with programs.
• Must currently be able to work in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso legally.

Resumes are reviewed on a rolling basis so please apply early.