International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a U.S. based international development consulting company established in 1987, has worked in over one hundred countries and implemented over three hundred projects.  IBTCI serves government agencies, private sector companies and several donor agencies.  IBTCI specializes in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) across many sectors including, but not limited to, conflict and crisis, democracy and governance, economic growth, education, environment, and global health.

Assignment Title : Conflict Expert, International

Department/Location :  Remote/Kinshasa, DRC potential travel

Technical Point of Contact : COP

Type : Consultant

Classification : Consultancy

Overview :

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Coordination Contract (MECC) Project at IBTCI has been tasked by USAID with conducting a conflict analyses in eastern DRC and the cross-border region to guide broader strategic programming. The key stakeholders and the primary audience for the analyses will be USAID DRC and USAID Washington. The geographic scope of this conflict analysis will be Eastern DRC, including regional conflict threats and triggers that affect this area. The Conflict Expert, should have Keen understanding of drivers of conflict such as resource scarcity, ethnic tensions, etc., as well as experience identifying conflict mitigation strategies and community engagement.

The Conflict Expert will work with the Team Leader and other team members to design the assessment and data collection tools, conduct interviews and discussions, conduct data analysis, and draft the assessment report centered on USAID’s service delivery and coordination with selected Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (GDRC) entities, civil society and private sector actors. This consultancy is expected to begin in immediately with an estimated 60 days of LOE over a four month duration. The assignment is remote based with potential travel to Kinshasa, DRC.

Please note that outside of Kinshasa, DRC, the central office for this project, the DRC has a security threat level of 5. The incumbent will need to follow the advice of his/her security advisor(s) and must have added awareness of his/her surroundings.

Using your expertise and subject matter skills, perform assigned tasks on specific task orders and/or contracts.  Tasks could include, but not be limited to :

Scope of Work :  

• Provide technical expertise in the assessment and facilitation of presentations related to conflict mitigation and prevention activities funded by USAID in the DRC. Activities include :
  • Tool development ;
  • Assessment Plan/Inception Report ;
  • Kick-Off Meeting with Relevant USAID/DRC Staff.
  • Data Collection :
    • Combination of oprimary and secondary data to include :
      • KIIs and FGDs with relevant stakeholders such as local academic institutions, think tanks, CSOs, GDRC officials at national and sub-national levels, USAID/DC, USAID/DRC, IPs, and program beneficiaries ;
      • Secondary data which the consultant team is expected to identify and review.
  • Data Analysis ;
  • Mission-wide out-brief presentation/discussion (Validation of Findings) ;
  • Preliminary Draft Report ;
  • Final Analysis Report.
• Assist in the drafting of the assessment report, including recommendations and report requirements as listed in the assessment scope of work ;
• Contribute to the preparation and facilitation of the presentaiton of key findings and recommendations to USAID and other selected stakeholders.
• Take a lead role in organizing logistics for the Assessment Team, including :
  • Scheduling of interviews ;
  • Working with field office operations team to organize drivers/meeting locations with interviewees ;
  • Coordinating with field office operations team to schedule ncessary UNHAS and/or commercial flights for field wdork throughout the DRC ;
  • Coordinating with field office operations team to manage « on the ground » logistics for field work including lodging, meeting/interview locations, and driver/car services.
• Support Team Leader and Assessment Team with translation requirements during interviews/focus groups ;
• Other duties as assigned.

Serve in the above consultant capacity to support the IBTCI technical practice of Crisis, Conflict & Governance.

• This position does not authorize/require the consultant to directly communicate with IBTCI clients ;
• This position does not authorize/require the consultant to have decision making authority on final work product.

Minimum Requirements :

• At least 5 years’ senior level international experience in conflict policy/analysis/do no harm ;
• Facilitation experience at community and senior levels ;
• Experience in Eastern DRC or Great Lakes Region ;
• Fluent written and oral French and English ;
• Must be able and willing to be mobile and agile at a moment’s notice in case of an emergency ;
• In case of an emergency situation, must be able and willing to “duck and seek cover,” which may require the individual to exit the vehicle, unaided, and hurriedly seek shelter elsewhere, as needed, in the event of a roadside emergency.

Education :  Advanced degree in political science; sociology; anthropology; international relations; or, related social science.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Deep knowledge of DRC and Great Lakes Region ;
• Strong understanding of USAID/DRC programming and approaches in DRC ;
• Keen understanding of conflict settings and familiarity with literature surrounding the causes and consequences of conflict ;
• Keen understanding of drivers of conflict such as resource scarcity, ethnic tensions, etc. ;
• Keen understanding of conflict mitigation strategies and community engagement ;
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a cross-cultural team ;
• Skilled in facilitation and leading large, diverse group discussions ;
• Proven experience writing assessment-type documents for a government audience ;
• Robust experience with data collection methodologies including FGDs, KIIs, surveys, etc. ;
• Ability to contribute analysis and combine field-based research with broader analytical trends and observations ;
• Local knowledge across the DRC to support with local travel/security arrangements, organize meetings, rent safe meeting space, and understand the security situation and related procedures ;
• Ability to translate key documents, data, and interviews from local languages into English.

Supervisory Responsibilities :  This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Requirements : This position requires the incumbent to be mobile and agile at a moment’s notice in case of emergency. This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 20 lbs.

Travel :  Position is remote with potential travel to Kinshasa, the  capitol of DRC. Travel to additional provinces in the DRC is possible. International travel may be required and may include travel to fragile or conflict prone zones.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

IBTCI is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or any other classification protected by applicable anti-discrimination laws.  We prohibit and do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment.  VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability, or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Human Resources at 703-749-0100.