Background and Partner Organisation
The Civil Peace Service (CPS) is a programme for the prevention of violence and the promotion of peace in crisis and conflict regions. As a seconded professional in the CPS, you will collaborate with partner organisations that advocate for social justice, peace, and the protection of human rights, and that are actively engaged in national networks to strengthen sustainable processes of social transformation. The CPS takes a three-pronged approach: preventative, through early conflict detection; de-escalatory, in times of acute crisis; and supportive, in the reconstruction of peaceful and resilient structures.
The local partner organisation is Khmer Community Development (KCD) , which works with various communities in the provinces of Kandal and Kampong Chhnang. Its focus is on children, young people, and dedicated adults from peace clubs, forum theatre groups, and local community structures, all of whom promote respectful and peaceful coexistence. KCD empowers people to address challenges constructively within and between communities, encouraging them to find their own ways forward.
The KCD project region is home to a variety of communities whose living conditions are shaped by historical and structural inequalities. These include Muslim groups and ethnic Vietnamese communities, who have often experienced limited access to economic opportunities and public services due to long‑standing systemic factors. In some areas, these unequal conditions influence relationships between different ethnic groups, especially among younger generations. High unemployment and limited opportunities to shape their socio‑economic futures contribute to these dynamics, underscoring the importance of inclusive, community‑led approaches.
The relevance of KCD’s work is particularly evident in light of recent tensions along the Cambodian‑Thai border. The renewed clashes underscore the value of locally rooted dialogue structures, non‑violent conflict resolution and confidence‑building measures.
With the backing of the Civil Peace Service (CPS) KCD collaborates with local stakeholders to promote a diverse, non‑violent and inclusive society. The KCD team facilitates dialogue and conflict‑resolution processes, strengthens relationships between communities and contributes to regional and international peace networks. KCD also shares its experience with creative approaches to conflict transformation, particularly Forum Theatre, with other civil society initiatives, supporting them in adapting these methods to their own contexts.
KCD is seeking a CPS Advisor to collaborate with the KCD team and key actors in the Muslim and Vietnamese communities. The role involves supporting the creation, implementation and reflection of initiatives that foster peaceful, inclusive and discrimination‑free coexistence. The CPS Advisor will co‑create learning spaces, contribute creative ideas to local peace initiatives and work with young people and community leaders as they further expand their engagement and skills.
Our partner organisation KCD's office is in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.