Role: WMC Network Support Officer

Timing: Initially until the end of March 2025,with potential for extension (on the basis of 60% time, though other arrangements considered)

Reporting to: WMC Senior Strategic Adviser

Location: Remote / Online

Salary: TBD

Deadline: 21 September 2024

Note: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from the 16th September

Background

The Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth Network (WMC) is an independent network of diverse expert women mediators, from all Commonwealth regions. It seeks to increase the participation of women in all spaces of mediation, and enables this through members’ deployment support as well as wider advocacy and the communication of best practice on how to increase inclusion in peace processes. Originally set up in 2018 with funding from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the network is governed by a member-led Steering Committee.

The WMC is part of the Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediator Networks, launched in September 2019. By working together as a Global Alliance, the networks have increased their advocacy power, aggregating their voices to be more influential than the sum of their individual parts.

The WMC is currently hosted by Conciliation Resources (CR), who provide operational and strategic support to the network. CR is an international organisation committed to stopping violent conflict and creating more peaceful societies.

Purpose of the consultancy

The WMC Network Support Officer will provide targeted support to the WMC Senior Strategic Adviser, the Steering Committee and the wider membership, to support the network’s functionality. This role will support the effectiveness and efficiency of internal communications, ensuing transparent flows of communications throughout the network, and supporting sharing of learning and ideas between members as well as support fundraising efforts. They will provide practical support to the organisation of WMC’s activities, working with members to develop plans for activities, in coordination with the Steering Committee and Senior Strategic Adviser.

The role will require adaptive working and regular communications with the Steering Committee and members to help the network respond to emerging opportunities and needs. The WMC Network Support Officer will need to be a creative problem-solver and be comfortable working independently and in collaboration with others.

The role is a fixed-term consultancy, with the potential for longer-term work. This role will be initially contracted by Conciliation Resources on a consultancy basis to support the network.

Key requirements
● Experience providing logistical and communications support in a not for profit/network/advocacy setting
● Strong organisational skills including planning, developing, implementing and
● maintaining administrative systems.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to communicate to individuals from diverse background and perspectives
● Experience remotely supporting individuals/organisations on the successful joint delivery of work.
● Interest in and experience working on women’s participation
● Commitment to gender equality
● Strong commitment to, and experience of, collaborative working.
● Appreciation of issues of confidentiality, and cross-cultural and political sensitivity.
● Initiative, enthusiasm and a problem-solving approach to new challenges.