The Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) is looking for three talented research assistants for the research project “Assessing the impact of the African Union’s African Peace and Security Architecture – 2019”, which will take place in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM). ECDPM’s Conflict, Security and Resilience Programme (SECURE) has been supporting GIZ in preparing baseline reports regarding the operationalization and work of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). A first baseline report (completed in 2013) looked back at APSA activities from 2007 to 2012 and assessed the question if the setting-up and the use of APSA instruments have been successful to date. Follow-up APSA Impact Assessment reports have been completed in 2014, 2015 and 2016 with research taking place in Maastricht. In 2017 and 2018, the research activities were housed at IPSS and implemented in collaboration with ECDPM. The current report shall cover APSA activities of 2018, with the research to take place at the IPSS in Addis Ababa.
Purpose
The research assistant will primarily work on the implementation of the research project “Assessing the impact of the African Union’s African Peace and Security Architecture – 2019”. The focus will be on the role played by the African Union and Regional Economic Communities in dealing with conflicts and crises in different African countries. Particular attention will be given to the tools of diplomacy, mediation and peace support operations. In implementing this project, the research assistant will work as part of a team.
Objective
In particular, the objective of the research assistant will be to familiarize him/herself with the APSA Impact Monitoring project’s methodology and contribute to the finalization of the deliverables as spelled out in the APSA Impact Assessment project’s Terms of Reference and work plan.
Term
The position is full-time based at the IPSS in Addis Ababa and will run from 1 March 2019 until 15 July 2019.
Specific tasks and responsibilities
· Support and participate in the APSA Impact Assessment team in delivering on research results and preparing draft deliverables and final deliverables
· Provide targeted research support when requested towards the finalization of project deliverables
Required qualifications and skills
· A Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, e.g. development economics, international relations, conflict studies and/or social sciences.
· Ability to support policy research and exposure to an academic research environment
· Experience, interest, and knowledge in international development cooperation, governance and/or and peace and security in Africa.
· Excellent command of English speaking and in text production is required. Good working knowledge of French is desirable.
· Able to organize work processes well and to work according to set time frames.
· Studies, exposure and/or work abroad within an international working or study environment is advantageous.
· Ability to deliver on assignments in an autonomous manner; pro-active in seeking guidance if and when required.