Consultancy on Civilian Harm Mitigation by UN Peacekeeping Operations At Center for Civilians in Conflict

CIVIC: 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.

UN/PEACEKEEPING PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: CIVIC conducts research to identify gaps, best practices, and lessons learned in providing effective protection to civilians through UN peacekeeping. This includes UN peacekeeping operations’ efforts to protect civilians from other armed actors and to reduce harm that may result from a peacekeeping operation’s presence, activities, and operations. Based on this research, CIVIC undertakes advocacy with national and international stakeholders to address gaps and institutionalize best practices. CIVIC also provides technical assistance to peacekeeping operations and other stakeholders to support them in developing and implementing protection of civilians policies, practices, and tools. In 2022, CIVIC will focus its work on peacekeeping operations in four countries, Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Mali. In addition, CIVIC’s Peacekeeping Program undertakes research and advocacy at the UN Secretariat and with UN Member States to advance broader peacekeeping reforms that are essential to the protection of civilians.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: January to May 2022

LEVEL OF EFFORT: 20 to 30 days/160 to 240 hours, including 7 to 14 days of travel

START DATE: January 2022

REPORTS TO: CIVIC Senior Global Researcher and Director, United Nations Program

LOCATION OF CONSULTANCY: Remote with field travel to Bamako and possible other field locations in Mali

BACKGROUND: The UN Department of Peace Operation’s (DPO’s) policy and handbook on POC recognize the importance of uniformed components incorporating civilian harm mitigation into their work and of the civilian component adhering to the principle of do no harm. Peacekeeping mandates have increasingly incorporated language acknowledging the importance of mitigating risks to civilians during peacekeeping activities and operations, and implementing the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy when peacekeeping missions provide support to non-UN security forces to ensure support does not unintentionally lead to violations of international humanitarian law, human rights law, or refugee law.

While CHM is still an emerging concept in UN peacekeeping, the concept has been applied in the guidance and practice of other multi-national and regional organizations, including NATO and the Force Conjointe du G-5 Sahel. This consultancy will build on CIVIC’s existing body of work on civilian harm mitigation in peacekeeping contexts and contexts where other multi-national and regional military forces are deployed.

JOB PURPOSE: To provide high-level research, analytical support, and military expertise to a project carried out by CIVIC’s United Nations program on civilian harm mitigation by UN peacekeeping operations.

POSITION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION: CIVIC is seeking a consultant to support a short-term research project on civilian harm mitigation (CHM) in UN peacekeeping operations. The consultant will be expected to assist in the development of a methodology for the research, travel to Mali for 7-14 days for consultations and data collection alongside CIVIC’s Senior Global Researcher, generate analysis based on research interviews, develop case studies relevant to civilian harm mitigation, and assist in the drafting of a guidance note on civilian harm mitigation, which can provide the basis for military planners to develop courses or other instruction on civilian harm mitigation in peacekeeping operations. In particular, the consultant will provide specialized expertise on the conduct of military planning and operations and how civilian harm mitigation should be incorporated into these processes in the context of a UN peacekeeping operation.

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

Required

● BA in related field;

● Fluency in spoken and written English

● Past military experience as a mid- or senior-level officer;

● Ability and availability to travel to Bamako, Mali and willingness to travel to other field locations in Mali;

● Proof of vaccination; and

● Passion for CIVIC’s subject matter

Preferred

● Experience serving in a peacekeeping mission or in a peacekeeping support role highly desired;

● Expertise on protection of civilians in conflict environments and the application of civilian harm mitigation in military planning and operations;

● Military Occupation Specialties in military planning processes, intelligence and analysis, training, or legal affairs advantageous;

● Track record of publications on related topics or experience contributing to the development of military training materials;

● Experience conducting qualitative research interviews; and

● Proficiency in French preferred