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WILPF Is Looking for a Disarmament Programme Manager

We are looking for a full time (100% work-rate) Disarmament Programme Manager to work within our Disarmament Programme (Reaching Critical Will) in support of the organisation’s goals for demilitarisation and disarmament, as outlined in WILPF’s International Programme 2022-2025.

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  • 7 min
WILPF International Secretariat
25 January 2023

Job Purpose and Definition

The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is a leading global organisation focused on addressing the root causes of violence through a feminist lens. We are working to create a world of permanent peace built on feminist foundations of freedom, justice, nonviolence, human rights, and equality for all.

The successful candidate will take initiative and demonstrate strong leadership across the programme’s main activities: monitoring and reporting of UN and other disarmament forums; coordinating with other civil society actors; conducting research, writing, and editing; and will support in the overall management of the programme. The successful candidate works well as part of a team and can multi-task effectively. The Disarmament Programme Manager reports to the Disarmament Programme Director and will manage other team members, including interns, as needed, and regularly coordinates with staff across WILPF programmes and National Sections.

About WILPF: The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) with National Sections covering every continent, an International Secretariat based in Geneva, and a New York office focused on the work of the United Nations (UN). Since our establishment in 1915, we have brought together women from around the world who are united in working for peace by non-violent means and promoting political, economic and social justice for all.

About Reaching Critical Will: Reaching Critical Will (RCW) is the disarmament programme of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). Since its creation in 1999, the program works to facilitate a broader and deeper knowledge of issues related to disarmament and arms control of many different weapon systems; militarism and military spending; and gendered aspects of the impact of weapons and of disarmament processes.

The Disarmament Programme Manager supports the DisarmamentProgramme Director with the following tasks: project implementation;  monitor, analyse, and report on disarmament forums, engage with diplomats, coordinate civil society actors,  conduct research and write policy analysis, and contribute to fundraising through grant writing and reporting.

Main Responsibilities

Advance WILPF’s Disarmament work

  • Attend, monitor, and report on multilateral meetings on disarmament issues, in coordination with the programme director and other RCW staff.
  • Work to enhance and coordinate NGO participation in international disarmament forums, by establishing and maintaining good relationships with NGO partners, UN officials,  government representatives, and others.
  • Oversee and/or implement other activities in the area of disarmament, such as research reports, advocacy submissions, information resource production, and campaign actions, in consultation with the RCW Programme Director and other WILPF International programmes.
  • As necessary, serve as the WILPF representative in various  steering groups of disarmament coalitions. Represent WILPF in coalitions, working groups, at events and at meetings, including by providing presentations or delivering statements, as needed and with agreement by the RCW Programme Director.
  • Act as civil society coordinator, in cooperation with other RCW staff, for certain disarmament forums at the UN.

Programme management

  • Assist with programme operations,  including drafting or updating proposals and reporting to funders.
  • Support the programme in the monitoring of ongoing work to ensure accuracy of activities vis-à-vis contractual and grant commitments.
  • Contribute to the programme’s internal Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) process as necessary.
  • Adhere to administrative and recordkeeping guidelines to support the Finance Team with accurate bookkeeping and documentation of activities.
  • Lead on recruitment, coordination, supervision, and management of disarmament interns and consultants, as relevant.

Coordination within WILPF

  • Collaborate with other WILPF programmes, particularly with Human Rights and Women, Peace and Security, to ensure WILPF’s disarmament programme is operating effectively within WILPF’s integrated programme approach.
  • Identify new opportunities for collaborative work within WILPF.
  • Liaise with WILPF Sections and members who are interested in working on disarmament related activities; amplify their work within international fora.
  • Provide knowledge-sharing on disarmament within WILPF on an ad-hoc basis, such as through talks and presentations, reviewing materials, etc.

 Communications

  • Participate in the creation of all RCW publications, papers, fact sheets, and newsletters, including but not limited to the E-News, NPT News in Review, First Committee Monitor, Small Arms Monitor, and ATT Monitor.
  • Design and layout WILPF’s disarmament publications or liaises with designers, publishers, and printers as relevant.
  • Help to identify new opportunities for projects that advance the visibility, goals, and policies of WILPF’s disarmament work.
  • Contribute to the maintenance of the RCW website and social media sites in consultation with other WILPF staff.
  • Prepare drafts or assists with the monthly RCW E-News, disarmament contributions to the WILPF newsletter, WILPF annual report, and other relevant publications.
  • Assist with research, writing, and editing RCW newsletters, publications, and fact sheets.

Interdependencies and Reporting

The Disarmament Programme Manager reports to the Disarmament Programme Director, currently based in New York. The Disarmament Programme Manager will manage RCW staff, interns, and consultants based globally. The Disarmament Programme Manager willcoordinate with WILPF staff and WILPF National Sections based in New York, Geneva, and worldwide as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies

  • Demonstrated commitment to WILPF’s feminist values and to engaging partners based on collaboration and trust. Demonstrated commitment to feminist peace and gender equality.
  • Demonstrated expertise on disarmament and knowledge of the intersection of disarmament, feminism, and gender.
  • Demonstrated experience working in international networks, campaigns, and contexts.
  • Substantial advocacy experience and demonstrated ability to think strategically.
  • Excellent planning, coordination, and prioritisation skills; capable of rapid and quality turn around, while managing a high workload.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team, both co-located and remote. Enthusiastic and reliable team player, yet independent and self-reliant. Ability to be self-motivated and to take initiative as needed.
  • Exceptional ability to motivate, mentor, and coordinate staff and consultants, and orchestrate effective communication among staff, interns / fellows, technical team, international staff, diplomatic and INGO partners, and global peace advocates.
  • Exemplary verbal and written communication skills in English required. Demonstrated experience writing donor proposals, reports, and managing grant requirements.
  • Strong computer skills: fluency in MS Office applications; experienced in managing or developing website CMS platforms, traditional and social media (press releases, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), and electronic newsletters (e.g., MailChimp). InDesign experience is an asset.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to form and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
  • Fluency in another language is a plus, specifically prior research and analysis experience conducted in a foreign language.

Education and Experience

A university degree in gender, human rights, international relations, journalism, law, social science, or a related field is required.

5-7 years of experience in disarmament or a related field, preferably in a non-governmental or non-profit organisation.

Compensation

WILPF will provide the RCW Programme Manager with compensation commensurate with experience. Compensation will also be based on the location of the selected candidate.

The Geneva based annual salary range for the position is 74,000 CHF  – 90,000 CHF.
The New York based annual salary range for the position is $67,772 USD – $84,527 USD.

Start Date and Work Schedule

ASAP, with a February 2023 start date if possible.

This is a full-time position at 100% work rate (40 hours/week)

Location

Preferably in New York City or Geneva. This position can be remote, with availability to travel to required, in-person meetings and events to fulfill the duties of the position. Office space is available in New York City and/or Geneva if preferred to work onsite.

Submissions

Please send a resumé or CV and a cover letter to jobs@wilpf.org with “Disarmament Programme Manager” in the subject line. Please note that any applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Deadline for application submissions is Thursday, February 2, 2023.

WILPF thanks all applicants for your interest; however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate has been identified.

WILPF is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, WILPF welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, ethnic or social origin, disability, religion, or belief. During the different stages of the recruitment process, specific measures may be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities.

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WILPF International Secretariat

WILPF International Secretariat, with offices in Geneva and New York, liaises with the International Board and the National Sections and Groups for the implementation of WILPF International Programme, resolutions and policies as adopted by the International Congress. Under the direction of the Secretary-General, the Secretariat also provides support in areas of advocacy, communications, and financial operations.

Melissa Torres

VICE-PRESIDENT

Prior to being elected Vice-President, Melissa Torres was the WILPF US International Board Member from 2015 to 2018. Melissa joined WILPF in 2011 when she was selected as a Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women as part of the WILPF US’ Practicum in Advocacy Programme at the United Nations, which she later led. She holds a PhD in Social Work and is a professor and Global Health Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine and research lead at BCM Anti-Human Trafficking Program. Of Mexican descent and a native of the US/Mexico border, Melissa is mostly concerned with the protection of displaced Latinxs in the Americas. Her work includes training, research, and service provision with the American Red Cross, the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Centre, and refugee resettlement programs in the U.S. Some of her goals as Vice-President are to highlight intersectionality and increase diversity by fostering inclusive spaces for mentorship and leadership. She also contributes to WILPF’s emerging work on the topic of displacement and migration.

Jamila Afghani

VICE-PRESIDENT

Jamila Afghani is the President of WILPF Afghanistan which she started in 2015. She is also an active member and founder of several organisations including the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organisation (NECDO). Elected in 2018 as South Asia Regional Representative to WILPF’s International Board, WILPF benefits from Jamila’s work experience in education, migration, gender, including gender-based violence and democratic governance in post-conflict and transitional countries.

Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo

PRESIDENT

Sylvie Jacqueline NDONGMO is a human rights and peace leader with over 27 years experience including ten within WILPF. She has a multi-disciplinary background with a track record of multiple socio-economic development projects implemented to improve policies, practices and peace-oriented actions. Sylvie is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and was the Section’s president until 2022. She co-coordinated the African Working Group before her election as Africa Representative to WILPF’s International Board in 2018. A teacher by profession and an African Union Trainer in peace support operations, Sylvie has extensive experience advocating for the political and social rights of women in Africa and worldwide.

WILPF Afghanistan

In response to the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and its targeted attacks on civil society members, WILPF Afghanistan issued several statements calling on the international community to stand in solidarity with Afghan people and ensure that their rights be upheld, including access to aid. The Section also published 100 Untold Stories of War and Peace, a compilation of true stories that highlight the effects of war and militarisation on the region. 

IPB Congress Barcelona

WILPF Germany (+Young WILPF network), WILPF Spain and MENA Regional Representative

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Demilitarisation

WILPF uses feminist analysis to argue that militarisation is a counter-productive and ill-conceived response to establishing security in the world. The more society becomes militarised, the more violence and injustice are likely to grow locally and worldwide.

Sixteen states are believed to have supplied weapons to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2020 with the US supplying 74 % of weapons, followed by Russia. Much of this equipment was left behind by the US military and is being used to inflate Taliban’s arsenal. WILPF is calling for better oversight on arms movement, for compensating affected Afghan people and for an end to all militarised systems.

Militarised masculinity

Mobilising men and boys around feminist peace has been one way of deconstructing and redefining masculinities. WILPF shares a feminist analysis on the links between militarism, masculinities, peace and security. We explore opportunities for strengthening activists’ action to build equal partnerships among women and men for gender equality.

WILPF has been working on challenging the prevailing notion of masculinity based on men’s physical and social superiority to, and dominance of, women in Afghanistan. It recognizes that these notions are not representative of all Afghan men, contrary to the publicly prevailing notion.

Feminist peace​

In WILPF’s view, any process towards establishing peace that has not been partly designed by women remains deficient. Beyond bringing perspectives that encapsulate the views of half of the society and unlike the men only designed processes, women’s true and meaningful participation allows the situation to improve.

In Afghanistan, WILPF has been demanding that women occupy the front seats at the negotiating tables. The experience of the past 20 has shown that women’s presence produces more sustainable solutions when they are empowered and enabled to play a role.

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