Research Fellow, Africa Programme

Main responsibilities

The Research Fellow will be expected to contribute to the various activities of the Africa programme (research, organizing conferences and seminars, fundraising efforts etc.) and to focus mainly on topics within the larger theme of either "Great Power Politics" in Africa or "Economics in Africa".

• Outline the research agenda of the Africa programme, in coordination with the programme director
• Identify opportunities and apply for research fundraising
• Produce policy briefs and research articles on economic and/or political dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa, reaching out to potential contributors and editing their submissions
• Participate and actively seek external representation activities such as presenting papers at academic conferences, talking at policy events etc.
• Outline a yearly program of conferences and seminars and contact relevant speakers
• Contribute to the administrative management of the Africa programme, and collaborate with other programmes and the Direction of the Institute in addressing cross-cutting management issues
• Build partnerships with other think tanks, universities, research institutions, and experts, based in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa
• Engage directly and consult with policy-makers in Belgian and European institutions

Knowledge & Experience

• A PhD in political science, economics, international relations, law or social sciences.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in research, preferably with an experience working in think-tanks or other policy research organisations
• Well-developed understanding of political, economic and security dynamics in sub-Saharan Africa. Individuals with a strong expertise on Central Africa are particularly encouraged to apply.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, demonstrated through an established track-record of publications.
• Strong organisational and planning skills. Project management experience will be considered an asset.
• IT Proficiency (Microsoft Office, Webex).
• Excellent written and spoken English, as well as fluency in French and/or Dutch.

Requirements

Expertise: Research, Project management, Fundraising

Education: PhD

Job Type: Full Time renewable contract for a period of 1 year. If the candidate has a secondary (academic) affiliation which he/she wishes to retain, a substantial part-time contract may be envisaged, but of no less than 80%.

Location: Brussels

Starting Date: 1 April 2022

How to apply

Please submit your application as a single-file PDF by 25 February 2022 to application@egmontinstitute.be. In   the   subject   line   of   your   email, please   mention "Researcher Africa Programme: Application (ADD  YOUR SURNAME)". A complete application package contains the following elements:

• A one-page letter of motivation
• A CV (max. 4 pages)
• A list of publications
• A list of three references (including name, function, email, and phone number)
• A note outlining your research priorities for the Africa programme (max. 2 pages).

About the Egmont Institute

EGMONT – The Royal Institute for International Relations is an independent think tank based in Brussels. Its aim is to engage in high-quality scholarly and policy-oriented analysis of international affairs, in particular as it pertains to Belgium, the European Union and sub-Saharan Africa, and to contribute to policy debates and inform public opinion on these matters. Its interdisciplinary research is conducted in a spirit of academic freedom. The Africa programme aims to undertake research and stimulate debate on, principally, (i) local, national and regional security dynamics and (ii) security and governance challenges on the continent.

The Egmont Institute is an equal opportunity employer.