The Swedish Movement for Reconciliation – SweFOR is a non-profit organization that promotes peace and justice, a society free of violence and a sustainable life. We expand spaces for action for human rights defenders exposed to threats and support activists working to build peace in conflict zones in Latin America and Africa. We combine this work with popular education and awareness of Swedish public opinion to help create peaceful and inclusive societies. Our movement is based on a centuries-old tradition of social transformation based on non-violence.
We have around 50 employed people distributed between the headquarters in Sweden, and the offices in Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia. In Colombia, we have been working since 2004 and we have three offices in Bogotá, Villavicencio ( Meta ) and Quibdó ( Chocó ).
In the Peace Service program, we work with the international accompaniment method, also known as “ preventive presence ”, for the protection and expansion of the space of action of people and organizations that defend human rights in three countries in Latin America: Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico. Our method is based on physical accompaniment to individuals and civil society organizations, political accompaniment through advocacy work towards subjects of duties and strategic communication, and the work of strengthening the capacities of the accompanied organizations in nonviolent and differentiated self-protection.
We are looking for a boss for the Villavicencio regional office. The person will work closely with the team of peace observers, the people responsible for the different areas of the organization and reports to the Country Representative.
Tasks and responsibilities
- Operational responsibility for SweFOR’s work in the regional office, in relation to physical and political support and defining training needs for accompanied persons.
- Coordination with the team responsible in Bogotá in relation to physical accompaniment, political accompaniment/strategic advocacy and capacity building in order to contribute to the achievement of goals in an effective way and within budgetary frameworks.
- Maintain relationships with accompanied organizations, organizations in networks in which SweFOR participates in Orinoquía, local and national institutions and authorities, among others.
- Contribute to the monitoring of reports according to results matrix.
- Security responsibility in decision-making on accompaniments in coordination with the Bogotá office.
- Responsible for monitoring safety standards at the regional office.
- Responsible for monitoring performance, compliance with regulations and individual and collective well-being in the office’s observer team, in coordination with the Country Representative
- Responsible for the training of new observant people.
- Carry out physical and political accompaniments to the extent that other functions allow.
- Carry out administrative tasks in coordination with the administration in Bogotá and coordinate the work of the cleaning person.
Qualifications
- Share SweFOR’s values on peace, justice and a society free of violence.
- Knowledge about human rights and peacebuilding, and the risks for people and human rights organizations in Colombia.
- Experience in having worked with the methodology of international accompaniment, preferably in Colombia.
- Good knowledge of the SweFOR project in Colombia is meritorious.
- Experience in coordination positions for teamwork in hostile and high-risk environments.
- Experience in crisis management and security analysis in conflict zones.
- Experience in PME methods, results-based project management (RBM).
- Experience in project management and administration as well as financial monitoring.
- You are able to reflect on your privileges in relation to other people.
- Languages: high level of spoken and written Spanish. Middle level of spoken and written English. Knowledge of Swedish is meritorious.
Time and duration
The contract is full-time, lasting until the end of 2025, with the possibility of an extension. It is desirable to start on June 24, 2024 or by agreement.
How to apply
Send the application, including motivation letter, resume and job references to [email protected], no later than April 14, 2024. Selection and interviews will be ongoing during the application time.
Given the approach and type of work, only applications of people of nationalities other than Colombia will be considered.
Contact person
Questions about the position with Laura Ducout, Head of the Villavicencio regional office, [email protected]
