Training for Civilian Peacekeepers
As Nonviolent Peaceforce grows, so does our need for skilled civilian peacekeepers, trained and ready for two-year field deployments and short-term assignments.
NP training currently has three components:
- The Core Mission Preparedness Training (CMPT) is approximately 10 days in length. All those chosen for field work with NP must go on this training. (Some highly experienced candidates urgently needed may do this training after deployment.) The CMPT covers inter alia the mission and purpose of NP; the approach to the work taken by NP, including values and core principles; security; team work and team conflicts; communicating and relating to different actors; working and dealing with trauma, etc. The CMPT is highly participatory, including role plays and simulations. Read about our latest training here.
- The Extensive Mission Preparedness Training (EMPT) includes CMPT components. The EMPT takes an additional 10 days to explore the experiences and knowledge of the complexities and requirements of the field work, and to ensure participants are ready to work in high stress areas. The EMPT is normally for those less experienced in the type of work NP does and those with little or no experience in conflict areas.
- The In-Country Training (ICT) is undertaken by the project and occurs after deployment. The ICT focuses on deepening security knowledge, on understanding the full context for the project work, on rudimentary language skills, on meeting and understanding relevant actors, on understanding the NP role in the particular country and the specific goals and objectives of the NP work, on meeting partners, etc. The ICT will also focus on the thematic skills and knowledge needed by each participant for her/his particular assignment.
All NP applicants are first subject to a rigorous screening process, followed by a lengthy interview, reference checking, and initial medical review before being invited to participate in a training course.
Persons going through the CMPT or EMPT must commit to a two-year contract with NP at one of its project locations. All those selected for the CMPT or EMPT will be requested to pay a refundable advance contribution of Euro €1000 towards the training expenses. This refundable amount will be reimbursed during the first four months a person is in the field. Waivers of this advance contribution can be considered for those in economic difficulty.
NP has occasional short term assignments (1 - 6 months) for experienced and skilled individuals. These assignments are advertised on our web site and through our network when the need arises.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST AT ANY TIME
Fill out the NP Application Form and email directly to NP. We will hold your form on file and inform you of any future trainings.
Please note that registering your interest does NOT constitute a binding commitment by either party. It simply allows us to gather and track those potentially interested in peacekeeping work.
Pending availability of resources: NP plans to create a series of shorter regional trainings to teach some of the basic core skills expected of civilian peacekeepers. These trainings would be especially relevant for those with little or no international and conflict-related experience. This initial training, or the equivalent from a recognized training institute, will assist a person's later acceptability into a Mission Preparedness Training.
