UN Research Advisor Jobs in Ethiopia
Background
The Life & Peace Institute (LPI) is an international centre that supports and promotes nonviolent approaches to conflict transformation through a combination of research and action that entails the strengthening of existing local capacities and enhancing the preconditions for building peace.
LPI envisions a world where peace, justice and non-violent relations prevail through people’s active work and commitment.
LPI works with a variety of local and regional partners in the Horn of Africa region (Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia) and Great Lakes region (Democratic Republic of the Congo).
For the past four years, LPI has been implementing its Horn of Africa Regional Programme(HARP) based in Addis Ababa.
This policy-focused programme aims primarily at supporting civil society and academia in the Horn of Africa (HoA) to work together with regional and continental policy actors to address key peace and conflict issues.
In order to achieve this aim, HARP provides capacity support to civil society in policy engagement and analysis, works directly with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union (AU), as well as informs policy through research, publications (e.g. the Horn of Africa Bulletin) and facilitating policy dialogue between policy actors and non-state actors on the ground.
Position: Research Advisor
Position Summary
The Research Advisor will support HARP’s research and policy action on preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE), in close collaboration with the Senior Research Advisor focusing on P/CVE, the HARP team, Head of Addis Ababa Regional Office and relevant programme staff in other LPI offices.
He/she excels both at evidence-based research and analysis and is passionate about how research can support better decision-making on P/CVE, in particular contextualising P/CVE with peacebuilding approaches and broader issues of human security in the HoA.
He/she is an expert listener and brings a range of experience to support the research, analytical and dissemination components of HARP’s work.
The Research Advisor will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with regular travel to programme implementation locations.
Relations within the organisation
Line Manager: HARP Manager/Team Leader
Working relations: Senior Research Advisors, Addis Office Programme staff, Head of Addis Office, programme staff in other LPI offices as required, Addis Office Finance & Admin staff, LPI Knowledge & Learning Unit members.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Research Advisor will contribute to the research and policy advocacy agenda of the HARP, specifically on P/CVE, in close coordination with line managers and LPI colleagues. Her/his main tasks will consist of, but are not limited to:
Carrying out relevant, high-quality desktop and field research on P/CVE and other relevant topics in close collaboration with Senior Research Advisors.
Providing synthesised and up-to-date periodic analysis of political developments and trends in the HoA, especially as they relate to P/CVE.
Building and updating a mapping of P/CVE actors in the HoA region.
Drafting research proposals, concept notes, reviews, research and background papers, as well as policy briefs.
Supporting the design of context-suitable, innovative research methodologies and tools, including participatory and collaborative methods for generating knowledge and
evidence.
Regularly monitoring of relevant national and regional policy processes on P/CVE.
Supporting the work of LPI’s CVE Reference Group.
Contributing to the translation of research findings and evidence to policy options and programmatic imperatives.
Supporting the planning and implementation of LPI events taking place in the HoA region.
Presenting research findings and facilitating external and internal discussions on topics of relevance to the programme.
Deepening the partnership and collaboration with IGAD, particularly with the IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism.
Building relationships with and networks of relevant thought leaders, think tanks and academia.
Contributing to results-based reporting for diverse donors as needed, in compliance with all requirements of donors and LPI standards for monitoring and reporting.
Supporting and striving for research excellence, programmatic effectiveness and learning in LPI’s conflict transformation work in the HoA.
Participating in and contributing to other tasks as assigned by the line manager, as needed for the implementation of the HARP.
Adhering to all LPI policies and guiding principles including but not limited to the Code of Conduct.
Experience and skills
MA degree in one of the following disciplines: peace and conflict studies (preferred), social sciences, political science, international relations, or other related fields.
Expertise in academic and/or policy-oriented research and publishing.
Minimum four years of progressively responsible research experience in the conflict resolution field, with fieldwork experience at HoA/Pan-Africa level.
Strong grasp of issues relating to violent extremism in the HoA with at least four years’ experience in peace and conflict research (and preferably P/CVE related), programming and/or policy advocacy.
Advanced knowledge and understanding of policymaking processes, the AU and IGAD, the role these and other regional institutions play in peace and security, as well as issues relating to human security, regional integration and conflict dynamics in the HoA.
Ability to conceptualise and analyse complex information of current and emerging peace and security issues.
Experience in successfully operating and communicating in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Sound analytical skills, attention to detail, ability to think strategically and to plan and prioritise work and meet deadlines.
Experience in solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy-in.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; other AU or IGAD working languages, Amharic, Swahili, Arabic or Somali are preferred.
Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Willingness to travel widely, often at short notice and in conflict and crisis-affected settings.
Commitment to LPI’s values.
The successful candidate will be offered a one-year contract with the possibility of extension based on performance. The position will be full time, with an average 40 hours of work per week.
How to apply
Please submit your application by 25th August 2018 to: applications.addisababa@life-peace.org Applications must be in English and include a detailed CV, a writing sample (10-15 pages, preferably on P/CVE) and a concise cover letter explaining why you should be hired as Research Advisor in LPI’s Horn of Africa Regional Programme.
