CANADEM

Infobox NPO
organization_name = CANADEM
organization_
organization_motto = Global Connection to Civilian Experts.
organization_type = Non-profit, Non-governmental organizations
founded = 1996 by Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Canada
location = Headquarters in Ottawa, with branch in Perth
key_people = Paul Larose-Edwards, Christine Vincent, Kevin McMahon
fields = human rights, elections, international development, humanitarian response, Peacebuilding, State Capacity Building,
services = database/roster of screened civilian experts for International Agencies, Governments and other non-profit organizations
num_members = over 10,000 registered members
homepage = http://www.canadem.ca

CANADEM is an Ottawa based non profit,non governmental organization established in 1997 with funding from the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Its main purpose is to bolster peace, order, and good governance efforts through connecting international agencies (UN, OSCE, OAS, etc.) to civilian experts. Originally designed as Canada's national roster of civilian experts, CANADEM grew up to become currently the largest roster of screened international civilian experts in the world. [ [http://pbpu.unlb.org/pbps/Pages/Public/Download.aspx?docid=730 UN DPKO Best Practices Unit, Rosters for the Deployment of Civilian Experts in Peace Operations, page 28] , accessed 13 February 2008] This non-profit Roster of International Experts enables international agencies, governments, and other nonprofit organizations to rapidly connect with qualified professionals. US State Department's Office for Reconstruction and Stabilization lists CANADEM as one of its International Partners in peace building. [ [http://www.state.gov/s/crs/intlpart/ US Department of State, International Partnerships to Build Peace] , accessed 13 February 2008]

CANADEM is an official partner of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs through its Procap Program. [ [http://ocha.unog.ch/ProCapOnline/index.aspx?module=viewpublicorgs&orgtype=N UN OCHA web site, PROCAP Online] , accessed 13 February 2008] A similar partnership exists between UNICEF and CANADEM for emergency surge deployments. [ [http://ocha.unog.ch/ProCapOnline/docs/site/Standby%20Arrangement%20gudelines.pdf UN OCHA Web Site, Guidelines on External Staff in Emergencies - Standby Arrangements] , accessed 13 February 2008]

According to the study conducted by United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations evaluating rosters for the Deployment of Civilian Experts in Peace Operations, CANADEM "is the most effective roster mechanism in terms of uptake of its members by DPKO...its success is attributable to its large and diverse roster population, its pro-active approach to responding to DPKO needs, and its competitive and rapid screening techniques." [ [http://pbpu.unlb.org/pbps/Pages/Public/Download.aspx?docid=730 UN DPKO Best Practices Unit, Rosters for the Deployment of Civilian Experts in Peace Operations, page 29] , accessed 13 February 2008]

CANADEM's Roster

Main characteristics of CANADEM are: [ [http://www.canadem.ca/main/ CANADEM Roster] , accessed 13 February 2008]

- Over 10,000 civilian experts skilled in human rights, civil society democratization, elections, rule of law, governance, reconstruction, security and admin-logistics. Roster experts represent over 60 different languages, and, drawing upon Canada’s multicultural diversity, as many countries of origin.

- Responds to staffing requests for peace, governance or other missions from the UN, the OSCE, other international organizations, and non-profit organizations. In an emergency, CANADEM can forward candidates within 48-72 hour. Many can deploy within 7-10 days.

- It is the only international expert roster in the world accessible to the international non-profit peacebuilding community, able to respond quickly to crises situations that would benefit from the rapid deployment of field experts .

- Has recruited over 2500 experts for UN, OSCE and other missions in Afghanistan, Sudan, Haiti, Serbia, East Timor, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Bosnia, Croatia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, and many other countries.

Built as a rapid reaction mechanism, CANADEM can identify field seasoned experts for international emergencies in 48 to 72 hours.

CANADEM provides additional support to Canadian Government and various international organizations to address recruitment problems such as gender inequalities or geographical misrepresentation of its personnel. [ [http://www.unac.org/peacekeeping/en/pdf/academic_publication/chapter7.pdf UN Association in Canada Women's issues in Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding] , accessed 13 February 2008]

After the events of September 11, and the increased need of the Canadian Government to build up its counter-terrorism capacity, CANADEM provided assistance in counter-terrorism capacity building by establishing a sub-roster of registrants with significant counter-terrorism capacity building expertise. [ [http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/foreign_policy/internationalcrime-old/ctcbp/menu-en.asp Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program] , accessed 13 February 2008]

How are experts selected?

CANADEM Provides Screened Short-lists of Experts

CANADEM maintains regularly-updated personal and professional information and advance-screens its experts to a ‘short-list’ standard. Once technical skills are confirmed, CANADEM screening concentrates on critically-important interpersonal skills and personal capacity including an individual’s abilities to effectively work in international field missions: Do they work well in teams? Do they handle stress in the field well? Are they flexible and able to handle uncertainty?

CANADEM determines this information from a three-step, incremental screening process:

- "Preliminary Screening" of résumés and other self-stated skills when an expert first registers with CANADEM.

- "Advanced Screening" where confidential referee evaluations are assessed by sectoral experts.

- "Position Screening" where CANADEM staff match position criteria to the skills and experience of Roster experts.

Position screening utilizes a number of skills inventories – general, police, legal and governance as well as the full resume of the individual registrants.

CANADEM GPS

CANADEM also provides roster of young professionals through its GPS department. Hundreds of young professionals entered International organizations through this mechanism.

Requirements for international positions vary greatly depending on the position, level, location and main responsibilities. However, most positions typically require:

- Work experience in the area of expertise.

- Relevant advanced university degree.

- Previous international experience

- Good language skills: frequently English and possibly a second language, depending upon the location

- Solid inter-personnel skills: ability to work in a team, flexibility, adaptability.

- Cultural and gender sensitivity

- Ability to live and work in difficult conditions.

External links

* [http://www.canadem.ca CANADEM's Official Site]
* [http://www.canjeunesse.ca/ CANADEM GPS Unit - Interns and Volunteers]
* [http://www.canademvolunteers.com/ICAP.html CANADEM Volunteer-Internship Program]

References