Political Advisor Course for Peace Support Operations in Africa (PolAd22)

Peace Support Operations

Course Duration: 04 July – 15 July 2022
Application Date: - May 22, 2022
Course Date:
Course Fee:
  • The full cost of participating in this course is the responsibility of the participant. Each participant shall be required to pay a fee of 1650 USD (one thousand six hundred and fifty dollars) to cover accommodation and feeding.
  • In addition, the participant is also responsible for his or her travel expenses as well as any other expenses related to COVID-19 (e.g. COVID-test, insurance etc.).
  • Tuition, course materials, training facilities will be sponsored by KAIPTC and Austrian Ministry of Defence (MoD).
  • Partial scholarships (accommodation, food and course fee) may be available depending on position, experience and qualifications. The selection board will determine specific applicants that qualify to receive financial support.
  • Terms and Conditions:
  • The full cost of participating in this course is the responsibility of the participant. Each participant shall be required to pay a fee of 1650 USD (one thousand six hundred and fifty dollars) to cover accommodation and feeding.
  • In addition, the participant is also responsible for his or her travel expenses.
  • Visa: Costs for visa are NOT covered by KAIPTC or Austrian MoD and must be covered by the participant. Visa applications must be organized by the participant.
  • All other related costs including tuition, course materials, training facilities will be sponsored by KAIPTC and Austrian MoD.
  • The course is conducted in English; there will be no translation in other languages.
  • The course is residential and course participants will be accommodated at KAIPTC.
  • Participants will have to read some material prior to the commencement of the course. The aim of this preparation is to place all participants on the same level of understanding.
  • No-shows or cancellation by confirmed participants: resulting costs are to be borne by the participant.
  • Insurance & COVID-19: KAIPTC and Austrian MoD do NOT accept responsibility for individual medical, travel or other insurance. Participants are required to arrange their own insurance coverage, including health insurance that also covers COVID-19 expenses during and up to 14days after the course before travelling.
  • Participants are responsible for all COVID-19 tests necessary to travel to and from GHANA. Any other additional cost incurred due to COVID-19, such as quarantine etc. will solely be the responsibility of the participant.
  • Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and COVID-19 Protocols implemented, it is likely that course participants will be confined during the entire stay at KAIPTC premises.
  • The course is subject to cancellation in the wake of a new wave of COVID-19.
  • Participants MUST be fully COVID-19 vaccinated to be able to enter Ghana and participate
  • In short

    Course Date/Duration

    04 July – 15 July 2022

    Course Capacity

    20 participants

    Target Group

    senior civilian (Director level), police (Superintendent and above), military personnel (Lt Col and above) and NGOs

    Course Language

    The course is conducted in English; there will be no translation in other languages.

    Application Deadline

    22 May 2022

    Background

    The complexity of the political and security environment in many African regions, where missions and operations are launched makes it challenging for heads of missions and operational commanders to thoroughly assess, monitor and analyse the impact and the political consequences of their actions. Also, due to the many different tasks these heads of missions and commanders have to perform, they often cannot be aware of the full spectrum of developments from the strategic and international levels to domestic and regional situations. All these challenges could have an influence on the success of a mission/operation. As a result, the role of the political advisor is very critical for providing the leadership with proper analyses of developments, trends and emerging issues in the country or region and making recommendations on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern.

    Despite the potential important role of Political Advisors (PolAds) and significant engagement of African countries in African missions and operations, a formalised training of PolAds for Commanders of Operations and/or Heads of Missions has so far not been introduced in Africa. It is for these reasons that the KAIPTC and Austrian MoD are offering this course to build the capacity of potential and existing practitioners.

    Course Aim

    The overall objective of this ten-day residential course is to train Political Advisors for UN Missions in Africa, AU and ECOWAS operations and missions. It is also meant to enable senior personnel from African countries and organizations to know the core tasks of Political Advisors working on conflict and crisis and improve and/or enhance the quality of information they provide.

    Target Group

    The envisaged target groups senior civilian (Director level), police personnel (Superintendent and above), military personnel (Lt Col and above) and NGOs who are either already in an advisory position or are likely to become PolAds in the coming years.

    The selection process will strive to achieve gender balance of participants as much as possible.

    Course Content

    The course will cover, inter alia, the following topics:

    • The Role of a PolAd;
    • The PolAd at Work;
    • Policy Advising in Other Actors Operations and Missions;
    • Reporting and Speechwriting;
    • Public Diplomacy;
    • Analytical tools for PolAds;
    • Negotiation and Mediation;
    • Communication through the Media;
    • The Possible Role of PolAds in ECOWAS and AU Operations and Missions;
    • Interaction between Different Security Actors
    • The Way Ahead in International Crisis and Conflict Management.

     

    Course Objectives

    • Train PolAds for UN Missions in Africa, African Union and ECOWAS military operations/missions.
    • Enable senior personnel from African countries and organisations to know the core task(s) of political advisers working on conflicts and crises
    • Improve and/or enhance the quality of information they provide to Operation Commanders/Heads of Missions.
    • Provide thorough knowledge of the latest developments in African and International Security Policies.
    • Provide participants with the skills to collect, analyse, report and brief, and
    • Give advice on developments concerning the area of operation/mission.

     

    Expected Outcomes

    • On completion of this course, participants should:
    • Understand and appreciate the complexity and sensitivity of the multidimensional role of a PolAd.
    • Undertake the tasks and responsibilities of a PolAd at the operational and strategic levels.
    • Articulate key roles, mandates, and response mechanisms of international, regional, and local actors within different scenarios.
    • Know and apply basic techniques for writing effective reports, briefs and speeches.
    • Know and apply concepts and techniques of negotiation and mediation models for alternate dispute resolution.
    • Communicate and interact effectively with the media.
    • Harmonise and improve the interactions between various actors in the in/direct mission environment of a PolAd.

     

    Teaching Method

    The problem-based learning approach will be used in the delivery of the ten-day residential course. Participants will play active roles in the learning process under the supervised guidance of a team of experienced facilitators. The course content will thus be delivered using a combination of tools such as; lectures, case studies, small group work exercises and simulation among others. The course will be conducted in English.

    Selection Process

    The course generates a lot of interest and a high number of applications. This will make the selection very competitive. The process will be as follows:

    • The selection process will strive to achieve gender balance of participants as much as possible.
    • Selection Board will decide on shortlisted and waitlisted applications (beginning of June 2022)
    • Shortlisted candidates will be asked to confirm their seats bindingly
    • Should not all shortlisted candidates confirm their seats, these will be offered to candidates on the waitlist on “first come first served” basis
    • Limited scholarships may be available depending on position, experience and qualifications. The selection board will determine specific applicants that qualify to receive financial support.


    How to Apply

    Interested applicants are requested to click on the “How to Apply” button, fill and submit an online application form.

    Contact

    For administrative issues For course content issues only
    Mrs Marylyn Agblor
    Training Coordinatior
    Tel. 00 233 (0) 302 718200 Ext. 1012
    Fax. 00 233 (0) 302 718201
    Email: marylyn.agblor@kaiptc.org
    Lt Col Ortwin Gammer
    Austrian Armed Forces
    Course Director
    Tel: +233 (0) 302 718 200 Ext. 2165
    Omit (0) when calling from outside Ghana
    Mob: +233 (0) 59 137 7499
    Email: ortwin.gammer@kaiptc.org