Dallaire Institute
Dallaire Institute
Terms of Reference
Director of Research and Education
The Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative
The Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative (Dallaire Initiative) was established in 2007 by retired Lieutenant – General the Honourable Roméo Dallaire, former Force Commander of the United Nations Assistanc e Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). Its mission is to develop new strategies and tactics for eradicating the recruitment and use of child soldiers worldwide.
To achieve this important objective, the Dallaire Initiative conducts activities on four fronts:
- World-class, interdisciplinary research to build and share knowledge, which in turn leads to new solutions;
- High-level advocacy activities to create and promote the political will to end the use of children during war;
- Education and programming to sustain the efforts to make the use of child soldiers unthinkable by inspiring leaders, educators, and policy makers to implement new approaches, conduct research, and actively share their knowledge on the prioritization of the children’s rights upfront approach.
- Comprehensive, prevention-oriented training to security sector actors, in the service of broader security sector reform, as well as collaboration with civil society to create and implement tools that protect children from the dangers associated with recruitment.
The Dallaire Initiative is in the midst of significant growth as a result of some major global successes: for example, our collaboration with the Government of Canada to have 58 countries sign on to the Vancouver Principles, as well as our partnerships with the African Union, UNICEF, DPKO, and NATO. As such, the Director of Research and Education will be a senior member of a growing team. They will provide technical expertise, experience and knowledge on improving and growing the education component of our areas of concentration, with specific emphasis on peacebuilding education that focuses on preventing the recruitment and use of children as soldiers. They will also be responsible for the expansion of our domestic projects to address youth violence.
The Director of Research and Education will support our work in three, critical areas: Conduct and disseminate research, program/project leadership and oversight, and business development. They will work in close collaboration with the Executive Director and the Directors of our other key operational areas – Training, Fund Development and Communications – to provide input and expertise that improves overall strategic objectives of the Dallaire Initiative. They will also provide direct oversight to and/or serve as a technical partner for field-based projects, as assigned, to ensure effective project implementation that meets or exceeds expectations. The Director of Research and Education will be expected to play a significant role in business development, including opportunity identification, proposal development strategic partnering, and financial management.
The Director of Research and Education will be affiliated with Dalhousie University through the appointment of an Adjunct Professorship. It is anticipated that the Director will help to grow the research and education portfolios in conjunction with already established programming between the Dallaire Initiative and Dalhousie University.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the Dallaire Initiative ’s commitment and capacity to design, evaluate, and improve programming related to research and education.
- Lead the design and implementation of the Educational programmes of the Dallaire Initiative.
- Manage a cross-cutting team that works throughout the Initiative on issues of education programming, monitoring and evaluation, research, learn ing, and knowledge management.
- Represent the Dallaire Initiative to external audiences, particularly on issues of research and education projects conducted by the Initiative.
- Supervise and manage the workplans of the Dallaire Initiative’s Education Programme Manager, Research Officer, and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.
Project Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation
- Serve as senior advisor for staff on project design, monitoring, and evaluation. Work collaboratively with staff throughout the project cycle to improve design, monitoring, and evaluation practices.
- Lead efforts to build the capacity of staff on project design, monitor ing, and evaluation processes.
- Oversee efforts to support programming through the conduct of rigorous research and relevant evaluations of programming.
- Work with Communications staff to develop a strategy to disseminate and communicate the results of research and education initiatives to internal and external audiences.
Education Programming
- Develop and implement new education projects and tools that are designed for communities to prevent the recruitment and use of children into armed groups, gangs and violence.
- Develop and implement community engagement strategies for new and existing projects.
- Develop projects that are both international and domestic in scope and applicability.
- Harness the tools, research and knowledge of the Dallaire Initiative that can be repurposed for new audiences to achieve the overall strategic mission.
- Develop, teach and lead courses that are designed for university and adult education purposes.
Research
- Coordinate continuous improvement efforts regarding the quality of research throughout the Initiative.
- Strengthen relationships with communities of researchers, including those from academic institutions, non – governmental organisations and think tanks.
- Publish peer-reviewed research pieces to amplify the profile of the Initiative.
Knowledge Management
- Oversee efforts to improve knowledge management systems, processes, practices, and infrastructure, including the introduction and roll – out of new tools and technologies.
- Ensure that Education and Research data is conveyed to the Directors of Training and Communications, allowing for the integration of lessons learned into new projects, programming and messaging.
- Support teams to formulate plans that are aligned with strategic objectives, by keeping them informed on evidence regarding those activities with the greatest potential to achieve positive change.
- Lead efforts to share learning with communities of practitioners and policymakers about effective peacebuilding practice and policy.
- Perform other duties, as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- A PhD in political science, international development studies, sociology, education, social work, or related social science disciplines (required ).
- 5 – 10 years of experience in peacebuilding or related fields, including international development, human rights, children and armed conflict, and adult education.
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation within organizations (required).
- Experience in developing education programme materials for a variety of audiences and contexts.
- Demonstrated understanding of cross-cultural contexts and respect for diversity.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a high – performing team and motivate staff through effective leadership and mentorship.
- Ability to manage and analyze data, create data management systems, and present the results of data analysis in a meaningful and impactful way.
- Highly effective working within in a cooperative, collaborative environment and fostering positive organizational change.
- Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple, simultaneous projects, as well as problem – solve, prioritize, and produce results under conditions of uncertainty.
Desired
- Experience working directly with children and youth in peacebuilding efforts.
- Deep knowledge of social science methodologies and demonstrated ability to use this knowledge to improve the rigour of research projects and evaluations.
- Experience creating, strengthening, and promulgating knowledge management and learning systems within organizations.
- Experience living or working in fragile or conflict-affected countries (desirable).
- Ability to speak and write effectively for a wide variety of audiences, often high – profile.
- Fluency in English required; strong communication skills in a second language (French, Arabic, Spanish) highly desirable.
HOW TO APPLY
Your application package should include the following:
- CV
- Cover letter
- 3 references
- A published writing sample
Please submit applications by email to [email protected] by January 3, 2018.
Questions? Please email [email protected] or call +1-902-494-7101.
Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds.
We will be contacting qualified candidates for interviews shortly after the closing date. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The successful applicant must complete a criminal background check prior to commencing employment.