Consultant for Conflict Analysis and Strategic Accompaniment (Syria project)

World Council of Churches; Middle (NV); Remote; USD 111,000 - 185,000; Part time

Job summary

World Council of Churches is seeking a consultant to provide strategic advice on dialogue, mediation and preventive engagement within Syria-focused peacebuilding. The role involves analysing conflicts, tensions, and stakeholder dynamics, and shaping adaptive strategies in collaboration with local coordinators and the Geneva-based team.

The consultant will ensure conflict sensitivity, do-no-harm approaches, and quality assurance of analyses and strategy papers, with travel to assigned locations

Qualifications

• Advanced degree or equivalent with a focus on political science, peace and conflict studies or international relations.
• Demonstrated experience in conflict analysis, peacebuilding, mediation support and strategic advisory work.
• Proven ability to assess conflict dynamics, risks and opportunities for preventive engagement.
• Experience facilitating sensitive dialogue and mediation with political judgement and discretion.
• Strong track record in strategic advisory, multi‑stakeholder coordination and donor liaison.
• Excellent writing, analysis and communication skills; deep understanding of Syria context; English fluency.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice on dialogue, mediation and preventive engagement for Syria-related peacebuilding.
• Analyse local peacebuilding processes, tensions and stakeholder relationships for context-informed interventions.
• Interpret information from local coordinators and early-warning networks to identify patterns and priorities.
• Contribute to adaptive programme management, risk mitigation and do-no-harm principles.
• Review and quality assure conflict analyses, strategic papers and concept notes for stakeholders.
• Prepare concise notes and recommendations for programme management and partners.

Skills

Conflict analysis

Strategic advisory

Mediation support

Stakeholder coordination

Drafting & communication

English fluency

Education

Advanced university degree in political science / peace and conflict studies / IR

Job description

1. Background

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a global fellowship of churches committed to promoting Christian unity, justice, peace, and human dignity. Since 2012, the WCC has accompanied locally led peacebuilding initiatives in Syria through sustained engagement with religious leaders, civil society actors, and local communities.

Building on more than a decade of experience, the current phase of the programme seeks to strengthen civic mediation, social cohesion, and inclusive peacebuilding by supporting locally owned dialogue processes, community-based conflict monitoring, and cooperation among religious and civic actors. The programme combines local accompaniment with national dialogue mechanisms, early identification of emerging tensions, mediation support, and evidence-informed programme management.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

Working closely with the Geneva-based programme team, implementing partners, and field coordinators, the consultant will provide strategic advice on dialogue, mediation, and preventive engagement, drawing on contextual analysis and information emerging from local peacebuilding processes. The consultant will also contribute to ensuring that programme interventions remain conflict-sensitive, contextually relevant, and responsive to developments in Syria's transition.

3. Scope of Services

• Provide periodic political, social and conflict analysis relevant to the programme's priority locations and areas of intervention.
• Analyse emerging tensions, conflict drivers, stakeholder relationships and opportunities for preventive dialogue and mediation.
• Support the interpretation of information generated by local coordinators and early-warning networks, identifying recurring patterns and priority transition-related concerns.
• Provide strategic advice on the development and accompaniment of sensitive dialogue and mediation processes.
• Contribute to strategic reflection on priority issues emerging from dialogue, mediation, and community-level peacebuilding processes, particularly those affecting social cohesion and Syria's transition.
• Advise the programme team on conflict sensitivity, do-no-harm principles, risks and opportunities for constructive engagement with relevant actors.
• Support strategic reflection and adaptive programme management in response to developments in Syria.
• Review and quality assure conflict analyses, strategic papers, concept notes and other relevant programme documents.
• Prepare concise analytical notes and recommendations for programme management and, where appropriate, other stakeholders.

4. Expected Deliverables

• Periodic conflict and context analysis notes.
• Strategic assessments of selected priority issues or mediation processes.
• Recommendations for preventive engagement and adaptive programme management.
• Quality assurance of selected analytical and strategic documents.
• Contributions to programme strategy reviews and reflection meetings.

The specific deliverables, their scope and timing will be agreed with the WCC programme team during implementation, taking into account programme priorities and the actual number of working days requested.

5. Guiding principles and values

Given the sensitive context in which the programme operates, the consultancy requires a high degree of confidentiality and discretion. All materials developed under the consultancy will remain the property of the WCC, and their circulation will be subject to WCC authorisation. The consultant will be expected to respect these confidentiality requirements and comply with the WCC Code of Conduct.

6. Timeline

The consultant is expected to commence work as soon as the selection and contracting procedures are completed. The initial contract will run until 31 August 2027, with a maximum of 90 working days over the contracted period. The actual number and distribution of working days will be determined and agreed in advance in consultation with the WCC programme team, depending on the progress of project implementation, emerging needs, and agreed priorities. Working days will be undertaken as requested and agreed with WCC, without exceeding the contractual ceiling. The consultancy may be extended, subject to satisfactory performance, programme needs, and the availability of funding.

7. Qualifications and Experience

Required

• Advanced university degree in political science, peace and conflict studies, international relations, development studies, or another relevant discipline, or equivalent professional qualifications and experience.
• Demonstrated professional experience in conflict analysis, peacebuilding, mediation support, and strategic advisory work, particularly in the design, coordination, and adaptive management of locally led initiatives promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and social cohesion.
• Proven analytical skills in assessing conflict dynamics, stakeholder relationships, emerging risks, and opportunities for preventive engagement.
• Proven experience in facilitating and accompanying sensitive dialogue and mediation processes, with sound political judgement, discretion, and a strong understanding of conflict-sensitive approaches.
• Strong experience in strategic advisory, institutional strengthening and multi-stakeholder coordination, including collaboration with international organisations, local partners and institutional donors.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and communication skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information into clear findings and practical recommendations.
• In-depth understanding of the Syrian political, social, and religious context, with previous professional experience related to Syria considered a strong asset.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Good knowledge of Arabic and French would be a distinct advantage.
• Experience working with faith-based organisations, civil society actors, or locally led peacebuilding initiatives.
• Familiarity with donor-funded programmes.

Location: Home-based, with possible travel to Syria, Geneva, or other locations as required and subject to security considerations.

Duration: Initial consultancy from November 2026 until August 2027, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.