Head of Research 146 views1 applications

Background

IPSS aspires to be a premier institute for peace and security studies in Africa. Its mission is to promote peace and security in Ethiopia and Africa at large through education, research and outreach. The Institute produces skilled professionals in conflict prevention, management and resolution as well as in peacebuilding, and promotes the values of a democratic and peaceful society. It works at the national, regional as well as continental level.

As part of its continental activities, the IPSS was mandated by the African Union’s (AU) Executive Council to take up the intellectual challenge of finding African-led solutions to peace and security in Africa which led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AU Peace and Security Department (PSD) to serve as a research and policy think-tank.  The primary purpose of the Research and Policy  Programme is therefore to generate analysis, ideas, policy options, policy proposals, as well as research studies that can be considered by the AU or the Regional Economic Communities (RECs)/Regional Mechanisms (RMs) and Ethiopian institutions. To this end, IPSS is looking for a professional with relevant expertise who can coordinate the Research and activities at the institute.

Objective

The IPSS Research unit intends to make a substantive contribution to the contemporary discourse on peace and security on the African continent, and, more specifically, to assist the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs)/Regional Mechanisms (RMs) in the development of evidence-based and actionable policy options. In this respect, the IPSS Research and policy Programme complements and supports other IPSS activities.

Number of positions needed

One

 Tasks and Deliverables

The main tasks will include:

–        Coordinate and supervise the African Peace and Security Architecture impact assessment activities.

–        Supervise and guide the production of the report on the State of Peace and Security in Africa.

Detailed tasks include:

·        Generate up-to-date policy analysis, ideas, policy options, and policy proposals related to peace and security issues across the African continent;

·        Analyse future trends and make recommendations accordingly;

·        Brief relevant stakeholders, if necessary.

·        Guide the on-going research studies, develop and maintain the programme communication, and monitor the project implementation;

·        Guide the publication process of the research studies;

·        Identify areas of potential research activities on current and/or future trends/issues;

·        Develop  funding proposals for research activities;

·        Define quality standards for the research team and its work in collaboration with the  Institute’s Management,

·        Report directly to the APSP  Director;

·        Involve in the research activities of other units or departments of the Institute.

·        Administration of Research with budget responsibility;

·        Unit’s Staff management and appraisal

·        Provide relevant input to Management meetings when needed.

·        Liaise with relevant stakeholders and especially engage the AU, RECs and RMs;

·        Facilitate the establishment  of partnerships  between the Institute  and think tanks across Africa;

·        Represent IPSS at conferences and meetings when delegated by his/her immediate superior.

 Duration of the contract

The position is a One Year renewable consultancy contract.

Qualifications

·        A PhD degree in International Relations, Political Sciences, Peace and Security, public policy, or any other relevant social sciences fields;

·        At least 8 years of work experience in relevant research coordination, including at least 5 years of work experience in peace and security in Africa;

·        A reasonable number of years of academic teaching and managerial experience. At least eight years’ experience in managerial position out of which three shall be an academic experience.

·        Demonstrate knowledge of, preferably experience in working with, the AU, RECs/RMs and other  relevant networks;

·        Ability to work with  different policy areas across the African continent

·        Ability to innovate and implement cutting edge solutions in applied research, excellent research and drafting skills, including the ability to assimilate and summarize large volumes of material, and to draft high-quality papers on matters relating to public policy.

·        Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;

·        Ability to produce objective and balanced work which is unaffected by the writer’s own political or other views;

·        Strong communication skills, including presentation skills;

·        Excellent command of English (both written and oral); French, Arabic and/or Portuguese would be an asset;

·        Good IT skills;

·        Experience in working in a multicultural environment;

·        Be an African national.