Program Assistant, Partners in Humanity

Search for Common Ground's (SFCG) mission is to transform how individuals, organizations and governments deal with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. With headquarters in Washington, DC and Brussels, we design and implement multifaceted programs that aim to resolve conflict and prevent violence. We seek to help conflicting parties to understand their differences and act on their commonalities.

Summary of Post
SFCG is an international non-profit organization. With a total of 350 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from fourteen country offices in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and South East Asia. The Partners in Humanity program is designed to address feelings of mutual fear and suspicion between the West - especially the United States - and the Muslim/Arab world that have arisen because of perceived and real injustices, extreme inequality in political and economic opportunity, recent dramatic events, popular theories and policies, and pervasive stereotyping. The goals of this program include: improving perceptions and promoting communication, dialogue and understanding, and addressing constructively the areas of tensions. Partners in Humanity seeks to cultivate a sense of shared destiny and serve as a catalyst for Muslim/Arab-Western partnerships that reflect mutual respect, a shared commitment to addressing problems and meeting needs, and an ongoing process of mutual learning, dialogue and challenging of stereotypes. The program believes that this attitude and approach reflect the most effective means for creating long-term progress, peace and security.

The Program Assistant coordinates key administrative and logistical operations of a weekly news service on a day-to-day basis, ensuring it fulfils all quality control requirements while contributing to its expansion into other languages and new markets. For general work supervision matters the position will report to the CGNews-PiH Co-Editors. On a day-to-day administrative level the position will receive direct supervision from the Director, Partners in Humanity Program.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Formatting and sending CGNews-PiH in multiple languages



• Updating and maintaining the CGNews-PiH website and database



• Dealing with copyright issues



• Promoting and tracking article republication



• Developing a monthly statistical report



• Working effectively with a multi-location team



• Designing and implementing a campaign to increase the number of subscribers



• Leading the effort to expand the service into French language

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position-holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• A Bachelor's degree in a related area or equivalent work experience in Journalism/Media, Conflict Resolution, Political Science, or Social Studies



• Fluency in both spoken and written French and English



• A keen interest in the written word and in international affairs



• Highly organized and excellent attention to detail



• Highly motivated and energetic



• Computer skills

Desirable

• Interest or experience in international NGO arena



• Knowledge of local and/or European media



• Knowledge or experience in internet media services, web design, and project monitoring & evaluation

To Apply
Please send a letter of application and resume to search@sfcg.org with the subject heading: Program Assistant -PiH. Applications must be received by 28 November 2005. See our web site www.sfcg.org for full details of our work. No phone calls, please.