Position name:

Local Project Lead

About Accept International:

Accept International is an international NGO founded in Japan. We work to transform cycles of hatred, violence, and extremism into pathways towards reconciliation and sustainable peace.

We believe that every individual, including those who have been involved in non-state armed groups, has the potential to contribute positively to society as an Agent of Peace. We therefore work in communities affected by armed conflict and violence, supporting disengagement, rehabilitation, reintegration of combatants from non-state armed groups, and promoting social inclusion and reconciliation.

In Colombia, we support peace signatories from the FARC-EP (firmantes de paz), their families, and communities surrounding reincorporation areas. Our activities include psychosocial support, vocational and business management training, life-skills and civic education, dialogue and reconciliation initiatives, and capacity-building for government officials and other local stakeholders.

More information about our work in Colombia: https://accept-int.org/en/activity/colombia/

About the Position:

Accept International is seeking a Local Project Lead to lead our peacebuilding and reintegration programs in Colombia.

The Local Project Lead will oversee projects supporting young peace signatories, including firmantes de paz, as they rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society. Our current and potential project locations include reincorporation areas and surrounding communities in Caquetá, Valle del Cauca, Cauca, and other departments.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain a strong presence in the project areas, understand the needs and perspectives of participants and local communities, and lead the implementation of activities in close collaboration with Colombian stakeholders as well as Accept International Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

We are looking for a highly motivated and proactive professional who can manage day-to-day project implementation while also developing new and innovative initiatives in close cooperation with the Headquarters. The Local Project Lead will also contribute to research, context analysis, and programme development concerning conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Colombia and, progressively, elsewhere in Latin America.

Key Responsibilities:

- Under the guidance of and in close coordination with the Tokyo-based Director responsible for Colombia and Latin America, lead the planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects in reincorporation areas and surrounding communities in Caquetá, Valle del Cauca, Cauca, and other departments.
- Maintain a close and continuous presence in project locations and build trusted relationships with peace signatories, their families, local communities, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Design, coordinate, and facilitate training sessions, workshops, community dialogues, and other activities for project participants.
- Coordinate with national and local government institutions, representatives of reincorporation areas, local NGOs, community-based organisations, cooperatives, specialists, and private-sector actors.
- Monitor activities, indicators, budgets, timelines, risks, and the appropriate use of project resources.




- Manage and build the capacity of local staff to enable them to perform effectively and deliver the expected results.
- Under the guidance of and in close coordination with the Tokyo-based Director responsible for Colombia and Latin America, identify funding opportunities and contribute to the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, budgets, and applications for public- and private-sector grants.
- Conduct research, conflict and political analysis, stakeholder mapping, and feasibility assessments for potential programmes in Colombia and other Latin American countries.
- Undertake any other duties necessary to advance Accept International’s vision.

Duty Station and Working Arrangements: Strong preference will be given to candidates who are willing and able to reside, either temporarily or on a longer-term basis, in our project site in Caquetá. Potentially, it might be also required to move to additional project sites such as Valle del Cauca, or Cauca.

Candidates based in Bogotá may also be considered if they demonstrate full availability to travel frequently and undertake extended stays in project locations.

This is a field-oriented position. It is neither a fully remote role nor a position that can be performed exclusively from Bogotá.

Because the role involves regular coordination with colleagues in Japan and other countries, the successful candidate must have reasonable flexibility to attend occasional meetings outside standard Colombian working hours. Such meetings will be scheduled with as much advance notice as possible and managed in accordance with Accept International’s internal policies and applicable Colombian labour law.

Essential Requirements:

- Strong commitment to and alignment with Accept International’s mission, purpose, and values. Close cooperation with Accept International headquarters in Tokyo.
- Advanced written and spoken English, equivalent to IELTS 7.0 or above.
- Previous experience working in English with international colleagues, organisations, partners, or donors.
- Excellent written and spoken Spanish.
- A university degree in social sciences, political science, international relations, peace and conflict studies, international development, public administration, project management, or another relevant field.
- Demonstrated professional experience in peacebuilding, reintegration, reconciliation, territorial development, international cooperation, humanitarian action, or a related field.
- Experience coordinating or managing projects, including planning, implementation, monitoring, budgeting, and reporting.
- Experience working directly with communities, people affected by armed conflict, or populations facing social and economic vulnerability.
- Ability to work respectfully and constructively with people from diverse backgrounds, including peace signatories, conflict victims, rural communities, government institutions, and civil society organisations.




- Willingness and ability to travel frequently and remain for extended periods in rural and conflict-affected areas in and around Colombia.
- Ability to take initiative, solve problems, and assume responsibility for the progress and quality of projects.
- Ability to combine strategic thinking with practical implementation.
- Legal authorization to work in Colombia.

Highly Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

- Experience with projects involving peace signatories, former members of non-state armed groups, conflict victims, young people affected by violence, or host and receiving communities.
- Knowledge of Colombia’s Peace Agreement, reincorporation policy, and the institutions involved in its implementation.
- Professional experience and network in Caquetá, Valle del Cauca, Cauca, or other areas affected by armed conflict.
- Knowledge of and experience with grants provided by governments, foundations, or private-sector donors.
- Experience developing, managing, monitoring, or reporting on grant-funded projects.
- Knowledge of or experience with programmes implemented or funded by the United Nations, international organisations, bilateral cooperation agencies, or international donors.
- Experience preparing project proposals, budgets, logical frameworks, indicators, and monitoring and evaluation systems.
- Experience in research, conflict analysis, political analysis, stakeholder mapping, or new programme development.
- Experience supervising, mentoring, or strengthening local teams.
- A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field.

Terms and Conditions:

- Contract type: Service contract (to be confirmed based on project donor policy)
- Working hours: Full-time
- Expected starting date: November 2026
- Initial contract period: Three months. Subject to satisfactory performance, the contract may be renewed for an additional period of up to one year, depending on funding availability and organisational needs.
- Duty station: Project locations in Caquetá, Valle del Cauca, Cauca, and other departments, or Bogotá with frequent travel and extended stays in the field
- Salary: To be determined based on the successful candidate’s experience, skills, and overall profile
- Travel expenses: Authorised work-related travel to project locations will be covered in accordance with project donor policy

How to Apply Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

1. An updated CV in English.
2. A cover letter of no more than three pages explaining:

- their interest and motivation in Accept International’s mission and work;
- their relevant professional experience;
- their experience working in English and with international teams; and
- the key strengths they have demonstrated through their relevant work experience

1. Contact details for two professional references.

Please send the required documents to [email protected] by 30th September 2026 , using the following email subject line:

“Application – Project Lead, Colombia – [Full Name]”

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews in both English and Spanish and may be asked to complete a practical exercise related to project planning, management, reporting, or programme development.

Accept International is committed to a respectful and non-discriminatory recruitment process. We welcome applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds and experiences who meet the essential requirements of the position.

📌 Local Project Lead (full time) (Caquetá)
🏢 Accept International
📍 Caquetá