ACFID (Australian Council For International Development), NGO Advisor, Deadline August 7, 2009.

NGO Advisor, Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence

Exciting new role

12 month contract

Civil-police-military and humanitarian focus
The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) is the peak body supporting the overseas aid and development work of 72 member agencies operating in over 100 developing countries.

ACFID has an exciting opportunity for an NGO Advisor to work with ACFID and the Australian Government's Asia Pacific Civil Military Centre of Excellence (APCMCOE) to strengthen the engagement between ACFID, its members and the Centre on civil-police-military issues. The appointment will be an ACFID secondment to the APCMCOE.

As an aid and development sector representative, this position will work within the APCMCOE team to advance best practice in Australia s civil-police-military collaboration for overseas conflict and disaster management. The position will seek to represent the views of ACFID and its member agencies and the non-government sector in the development of civil-military research, education and training.

You will possess a practical understanding of issues involved in civil-police-military interaction and an understanding of the aid and development sector with a focus on humanitarian issues. You will possess strong organisational and communication skills and have demonstrated representational and negotiating skills as well as the capacity to develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of ACFID member organisations, government and international officials.

The successful applicant will operate within a workplan and regular monitoring and evaluation agreed jointly by ACFID and the Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence. The position reports to the ACFID Executive Director and the Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence Chief of Staff.
Position responsibilities
The successful candidate will have the following key responsibilities:
1. Represent the views of ACFID and the Australian non-government sector in the development of civil-military research, education, training and doctrine activities and products by the APCMCOE team.
2. Contribute to the development of APCMCOE activities and products, including relevant research proposals, guidelines, and the design and delivery of training programs.
3. Ensure regular communication with ACFID and its members and associates on civil-military issues to ensure APCMCOE benefits from the perspectives and experience of the non-government sector in its activities for Government stakeholders and national, regional and international partners.
4. Ensure the timely dissemination of information relating to the APCMCOE work program to ACFID and its members and associates, and encourage feedback on APCMCOE priorities.
5. Organise dialogue and keynote events between the non-government sector, APCMCOE and its Government stakeholder agencies on civil-military issues, in consultation with the APCMCOE Executive Director and ACFID.
6. Where appropriate, support the involvement of non-government sector partners from the Asian and Pacific regions in APCMCOE activities.

Selection Criteria
• Demonstrated understanding of the aid and development sector with a particular focus on humanitarian sector issues.
• A practical understanding of issues involved in civil-police-military interaction for conflict and disaster management overseas.
• Strong skills in written and verbal communication, and in representational and negotiation activities.
• A capacity to develop and maintain effective relationships with NGO managers across a diverse range of ACFID member organisations, and demonstrated capacity to engage effectively with a range of senior Australian Government and international officials.
• Ability to work in a team with minimal supervision, work independently, to take initiative and effectively manage complex lines of communication.
• Demonstrated planning and organisational skills.
• Post-graduate qualifications and/or relevant work experience is desirable.

Conditions
The position is a 12-month placement to the APCMCOE, based in Queanbeyan, NSW, with the possibility of extension after the initial period. The appointment is subject to a three-month probation period and performance review process. The position involves some interstate travel and the occasional requirement to work outside normal business hours.

The commencing salary package includes a base salary of $72,300 pa of which up to $14,530 may be taken as a tax-free fringe benefit. This equates to a grossed up or fully taxable salary of $80,000 pa.
To apply
Applications should be emailed to Melissa Trethowan or posted to Melissa Trethowan, ACFID, Private Bag 3, Deakin ACT 2600.

The closing date is close of business on Friday, 7 August 2009.

Applications should include a covering letter and resume, address the selection criteria (5 pages maximum) and provide the names and contact details of two referees who can be readily contacted.
Further information
Melissa Trethowan: (02) 6281 9216