CRISIS GROUP – AFRICA PROGRAM

The International Crisis Group is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation, with some 135 staff members on five continents, working through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict worldwide. Widely acknowledged as one of the most effective and applauded actors in the field of conflict prevention and resolution worldwide, we are seeking a Project Director to work in Crisis Group’s Africa Program in Nairobi, Kenya.

Role:Reporting to the Africa Program Director, the Central Africa Project Director will head a small team of analysts and support staff to produce succinct, well researched and timely reports and briefing papers addressing conflict prevention and resolution issues in the region. The successful candidate will explain and advocate Crisis Group recommendations to national and foreign governments, warring parties, non-governmental organizations, INGOs, and the media. Extensive travel will be required.

Responsibilities:

* Run a successful research and advocacy project designed to contribute to the objectives of conflict prevention, containment and resolution, providing professional leadership, vision and direction to the work of the Central Africa team in their work on the Great Lakes and the surrounding region;
* Regularly conduct field research in the region and annually produce at least three reports or the equivalent in briefing papers and advocacy documents;
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Coordinate and supervise the analysis and research to produce high quality reports and briefings undertaken by team members;
* Provide professional leadership, vision and direction to the work of the Central Africa team;
* Lead the advocacy activities of the project, working with relevant staff in Crisis Group advocacy offices to enhance the visibility and impact of Crisis Group's reports and recommendations;
* Contribute strongly to the advocacy activities of the project;
* Supervise the production of some twelve published papers in the course of the year and help conduct the required research in order to prepare these; and
* Work closely and maintain professional rapport with representatives of governments and international and local organisations in gathering information, seeking input and feedback, and supporting the distribution of Crisis Group reports.

Requirements:

* In-depth knowledge of governments and institutions in Central Africa, preferably with experience on the ground in the Great Lakes and the surrounding region;
* Strong, recent field research background with significant experience of policy analysis, either in government, academia, international organisations, NGOs or the media;
* Experience in the field of conflict prevention and resolution and the ability to formulate well-targeted policy recommendations is essential;
* Fluency in English and French, knowledge of any local languages an advantage;
* Excellent writing and analytical skills;
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including good public presentation skills, a strong capacity for effective teamwork and experience in a supervisory role;
* Ability to work in a fast-paced and often demanding environment;
* Experience in supervising budgetary and administrative matters related to the operation of the office and research team; and
* Skills in information technology would be welcome.

Applications should be submitted in English and include a CV, cover letter and contact details of at least three referees. In the cover letter, which should be sent as an e-mail, the candidate should briefly propose his or her own ideas on themes for one or two future Crisis Group reports or shorter briefing papers on Central Africa and briefly describe how she/he would research them (in no more than two pages). Please refer to Crisis Group's website for previous publications: http://www.crisisgroup.org.

Please send applications by email to Africa.vacancies@crisisgroup.org to the attention of Cydney Bunn, including "Central Africa Project Director" in the subject line. Please state where you viewed this vacancy announcement.

Recruitment will remain open until the appropriate candidate is appointed.

Crisis Group offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience.