Background:

The Institute for Peace and Security (IPSS), Addis Ababa University (AAU), is looking for a talented Researcher for the research project “Assessing the impact of the African Union’s “African Peace and Security Architecture, 2019-2020”, which will take place in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Prior to 2017, the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM), based in Maastricht and Brussels, prepared the 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 whether the use of APSA instruments had been successful to date. Follow-up APSA Impact Reports have been completed in 2014, 2015 and 2016 with research taking place in Maastricht.

As of 2017, when ECDPM transferred the APSA Impact Monitoring Methodology to IPSS, the study and the report it produces have been housed at IPSS. Accordingly, reports covering 2016, 2017 and 2018 have been produced by IPSS. The Study, and subsequent Report, target African Union and regional decision-makers. The Report will be disseminated to actors responsible for the implementation of the African Peace and Security Architecture, their partners and other relevant actors.

The study and report in 2020 shall cover the APSA activities of 2019 and 2020, with the research to take place at the IPSS in Addis Ababa.

Term

The position is full-time based at the IPSS in Addis Ababa and will run from 11 July 2021 until 11 September 2021.

Purpose

The incumbent will work on the implementation of the research project “Assessing the impact of the African Union’s “African Peace and Security Architecture – 2019-2020”. The focus will be on the role played by the African Union and regional actors in responding to conflicts and crises in a number of African countries. Particular attention will be given to means of diplomacy, mediation, peace support operations or a combination of these. In implementing this project, the incumbent will work as part of a team.

Objective

In particular, the objective for the incumbent will be to familiarize extensively with the APSA Impact Monitoring project’s methodology and contribute to the finalization of the deliverables as spelt out in the APSA Impact Assessment project’ Terms of Reference (ToRs) and work plan.

Specific tasks and responsibilities

·        Support to the APSA Impact Assessment team in delivering on research results and preparing draft and final deliverables.

·        Provide targeted research support upon request towards the finalization of project deliverables.

Required:

·        A Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, e.g. Political Science, Economics, International Relations, Conflict Studies or other social science disciplines.

·        Ability to support policy research and proven exposure to an academic research environment.

·        Proven interest in international development cooperation and peace and security in Africa.

·        Excellent command of written and spoken English.

·        Ability to write clearly and concisely.

·        Solid methodological and research skills.

·        Able to organize work processes well and to work according to set time frames.

·        Ability to deliver on assignments in an autonomous manner; pro-active in seeking guidance if and when required.

Desirable:

·        Good working knowledge of French is an asset.

·        Professional experience in the areas of international development cooperation and peace and security in Africa is an added advantage.