The Liaison Office (TLO) founded in 2003 as an Afghan non-governmental organization (NGO) that emerged from a Swisspeace pilot project (supported by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung) with the aim of improving local governance, stability, and security through systematic and institutionalized engagement with customary structures, local communities, civil society groups, and government institutions. TLO is based in Kabul, with regional offices in Paktia, Khost, Kandahar, Herat, Mazar, and Nangarhar and additional field offices across Afghanistan. TLO works to achieve its objectives through key program activities: research and analysis, dialogue facilitation for peacebuilding, access to justice and governance, humanitarian assistance, third party monitoring and evaluation, and environment & natural resources management.

Analysis & Planning

• Lead on the initial conflict context analysis in the three implementation areas, ensuring effective coordination with the swisspeace social cohesion officer and MEAL officers
• Based on the initial context analysis, contribute to the design of relevant and conflict sensitive social cohesion activities, including the organization of community events and initiatives that encourage positive interaction between different groups.

• Select the communities and participants in the target areas/districts for the considered under the project plan. 
• Provide technical support/inputs to the Senior NRM Specialist and Senior NRM officer deployed at field office level in designing appropriate and innovative Social Cohesion and Community Development initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building

• Lead on the design and implementation of the social cohesion activities planned under the project, including technical trainings, workshops and meetings as planned in the project plan. This includes the preparation of training materials and design and implementation of workshops/meetings.
• Communicate and build close relationships/networks with the local government authorities and other project stakeholders for the smooth implementation of the project activities planned under the social cohesion component.
• S/He will be directly responsible for activating and supporting community based organizations (CBOs) and on formation of new Forest Management Association (FMA) and Water User/Irrigation Association (WUIA) and providing them training in community based activities,trainings  in conflict management, and prevention of violent conflicts.
• S/He will be responsible for training / capacity building of the FMA, WUIA to effectively initiate, plan and implement Human Rights Based community development and community security strategies and projects
• Train FMA and WU/IA to report, in a clear and effective manner, to local governance institutions, service providers and community members on their activities, funding levels and results achieved.
• Facilitate / organize social cohesion fairs by engaging different groups with support from the existing community-based organizations

Implementation and Monitoring

• Update context and conflict-sensitivity analysis and participate in learning workshops on a half-yearly basis, and, if needed, adjust social cohesion activities;
• Work in close collaboration with colleagues (MEAL officer) to ensure functioning feedback/referral mechanisms on social cohesion activities are established in the targeted communities and support the monitoring of social cohesion activities.
• Continuous follow up, supervision, close monitoring and progress analysis of the implemented social cohesion  activities throughout the project cycle, including participation in data collection activities with beneficiaries (Baseline, midline and end line survey);Support the development of  tools for data collection and train the community leaders/representatives on these tools for identifying local priorities;
• Development and dissemination of key messages for the prevention of community conflicts
• Prepare success stories and other reporting inputs reflecting achievements and impact with regard to the implementation of trainings, conducting of dialogue sessions, implementation of community action plan in close coordination with TLO and swisspeace MEAL colleagues

Collaboration and Communication:

• Coordination and regular interaction with TLO project lead in Kabul, Afghanistan and Swiss-peace team in Switzerland regarding the implementation of the social cohesion components.
• Ensure the safety of team members/participants from any harm, abuse, neglect, harassment and exploitation to achieve the programme’s goals on safeguarding implementation.
• Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
• Perform other functions as deemed essential for effective results and/or assigned by the supervisor

• • Strong analytical skills
  • At least 7 years of work experience in social cohesion related activities, Natural Resources Management, watershed, rangeland and forest rehabilitation and management projects.
  • Good knowledge from the geographical context
  • Knowledge and experience in conflict analysis, prevention and resolution subject area will be an advantage;
  • Good experience of working directly with local communities and local authorities, ability to gain and build trust with relevant actors in the communities in the three locations;
  • Proven track record in designing and implementing activities aiming at social change, strengthening social cohesion and trust among communities, ideally in NRM / water-related settings in Afghanistan;

• • Demonstrated experience in the design and delivery of trainings, strong facilitation skills and experience in conducting community-led dialogues, including the ability to build trust among different stakeholders and design and lead participative processes.

• • Sound understanding of water governance and related issues (e.g. integrated water resources management, watershed and irrigation rehabilitation, supporting water user groups);
  • Proven experience managing sensitive political processes and relationships;
  • Experience in conflict sensitive project management and reporting;
  • Demonstrable working experience with a national or international governmental or non-governmental organization;
  • Fluency in English
  • Fluency in local languages - Pashto and Dari

• • Problem solving skills
  • Documentation and reporting skills
  • Excellent information technology skills (such as word processing, presentation software)

Interested applicants must submit their letter of interest and CV to znoor@tlo-afghanistan.org kabir.neshat@tlo-afghanistan.org

Applicants are required to indicate the vacancy number and job title while applying.

CVs received after the closing date and or without vacancy number will not be accepted.

Preference will be given to the applications received from its relevant province.