Position Summary
The Conflict Analyst and Early Warning Specialist provides technical and operational leadership for all conflict analysis and EWER components of the project. The specialist will track social, political, and conflict dynamics in Kenya, providing real-time analytical reports to inform the program, partners, donors, and other stakeholders. S/he is responsible for implementing conflict-sensitivity engagements and ensuring that community-level signals are aligned with national EWER structures.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & EWER Management
- Lead the planning, design, and implementation of youth-led EWER activities across 11 priority counties.
- Provide technical guidance on conflict indicators, risk analysis, community reporting, and verification processes.
- Oversee the development of specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and referral pathways for early warning and response.
- Lead the integration and deployment of AI-enabled deliberative tools for participatory online deliberation and AI-enhanced social media listening to collect and synthesize large datasets for conflict analysis and real-time early warning insights.
- Support the co-creation of youth-friendly EWER platforms that integrate mobile reporting channels and digital risk monitoring.
Analysis & Reporting
- Prepare weekly and monthly conflict snapshots and periodic thematic reports based on news, incident reports, and information collected from the youth-led EWER system.
- Serve as a hub for reporting incidents from staff, partners, and Youth Peace Champions.
- Compile analytical briefs to inform the project’s rapid response fund and national-level policy dialogues.
- Triangulate data from youth-led EWER with AI-enhanced social media listening (SML) reports to identify and analyze emerging online risks, misinformation, and inflammatory narratives.
Capacity Building & Stakeholder Engagement
The capacity building strategy centers on the Youth Peace Champions (YPCs), who are trained from our partner's existing county focal points. These focal points, vetted for credibility and community trust, are seasoned grassroots representatives responsible for coordinating peacebuilding activities, monitoring early warning signals, and linking youth with local peace structures and authorities. Through the project, YPCs will utilize a cascading model to mentor and mobilize additional youth, leveraging our partner’s extensive network to ensure two-way coordination, support and information flow from the local level to the national secretariat.
- Facilitate training for Youth Peace Champions and stakeholders on conflict analysis, rumor tracking, digital peacebuilding, and the practical application of AI and deliberative tools for data collection and real-time analysis.
- Develop manuals and tools to standardize training and reporting protocols across the project area.
- Act as a primary liaison with government authorities (e.g., NCIC, NSC), security agencies, and civil society organizations.
- Represent Search at national and international engagements to influence policy and program design.
- Coordinate closely with local partner organizations and youth networks, supporting Youth Peace Champions to effectively link local EWER insights into broader county and national prevention mechanisms.
Requirements:
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, Political Science, or a related field.
- Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution or Security Studies is highly preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in conflict management, peacebuilding, or EWER systems.
- Proven experience in establishing or managing early warning systems, elections governance and local, national and regional peace architecture platforms.
- Demonstrated skills in using various conflict analysis frameworks and data collection tools.
- Deep understanding of Kenya’s social, political, and conflict dynamics, particularly in relation to electoral cycles.
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving and decision making skills.
- Demonstrated skills in using various conflict analysis frameworks, data collection tools, and proficiency in digital and AI-enabled analytical platforms (e.g., deliberative tech, SML).
- Commitment to Search’s mission, values, and conflict-sensitive "Do No Harm" principles.
- Strong confidentiality ethic, demonstrate flexibility, and versatility in adjusting to changing environments and requirements as necessary
- Ability to use own initiative and to work effectively as part of a team
- Prior experience with Conflict Analysis, Early Warning Early Response(data management and reporting) and proficiency in relevant computer applications
- Demonstrated high-level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills including the ability to build collaborative relationships internally and externally with sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, social and political issues.
Working conditions and physical demands
Typical conditions in an office environment; ability to work remotely and support staff and partners in diverse locations.
Oversight and Budget Responsibility
May supervise one or more staff members.
Understanding, analyzing, and reporting on budgets.
Closing Date: 16th June 2026
