Burkina Faso: Researcher (Two Positions Open)

Sep 20, 2020 | Interpeace
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Interpeace is an international organisation for peacebuilding that strengthens the ability of societies to manage conflict themselves in sustainable and non-violent ways. Interpeace designs and delivers its work tailored to each situation in partnership with local partners and communities, based on extensive consultation and research. Interpeace also ensures that the processes of conflict management and change that it supports are integrated at all levels of society including local communities, civil society, government and the international community (we call it a ‘Track 6’ approach).

Interpeace was originally established by the United Nations and remains its strategic partner. Beyond field-based peacebuilding, Interpeace also assists the international community – particularly the UN – to be more effective in supporting peacebuilding efforts worldwide. This includes contributing innovative thought leadership on peacebuilding policies and practices.

Interpeace is headquartered in Geneva and has offices around the world.

For more information about Interpeace, please visit www.interpeace.org

Position within the Organization

The Researcher is a member of the Programme Management Unit, which manages and implements all Interpeace’s active and ongoing programmes around the world. The Programme Management Unit is led from the Headquarters office in Geneva, although team members are based in various locations including in East and Central Africa, West Africa, Europe and the MENA region.

The Researcher reports to the Senior Programme Officer.

Purpose and General Overview

The Sikasso (Mali) and Hauts-Bassins (Burkina) regions form a complex functioning sub-territory. These areas are of special importance in terms of cross border co-operation which constitutes a force for peace and stability but also for economic and social development in the Sahel region. Unfortunately, they are also affected by latent conflicts likely to be exploited by armed groups seeking to extend their influence from the North to the South of Mali and from the North to the South of Burkina Faso. Exploitation of natural resources such as land or gold, as well as the situation of cross-border farmers remains poorly regulated and often lead to some severe tensions.

It is in this context that Interpeace, with the support of the PATRIP Foundation, will conduct a dialogue and research process. This process will promote the stabilization of the Burkina-Mali cross-border region through building trust and shared understanding within and between the communities. It will also identify conditions for and facilitate peace-responsive interventions (including infrastructure building and for improved natural resource management) by PATRIP and other international actors through identifying the communities’ development needs in a participatory and inclusive manner.

Therefore, Interpeace is looking to recruit two Researchers to conduct the dialogue process activities, including preliminary activities such as actor mapping and drafting of research findings and recommendations reports, in collaboration with the Interpeace Advisory Team Associate, the Mali partner and Burkina Faso team.

Duties and responsibilities

Technical Tasks

  • Represent Interpeace in communities covered by the project and under its responsibility and supervision;
  • Support Interpeace Burkina Faso, Mali and local partner IMRAP, as well as IPAT Associate in all aspects of project implementation, including planning and conducting dialogue processes and workshops, setting up and supervising dialogue spaces, conducting advocacy activities at local, provincial and national level
  • Assist the supervisor in the development of a detailed action plan and its implementation according to the project’s deadlines;
  • Coordinating activities around the project according to the priorities and strategic approach agreed with the supervisor and team;
  • To coordinate and monitor field teams (assistant researcher and the audiovisual team);
  • Assist the supervisor in managing the political space around the new project and suggest strategies to resolve the difficulties encountered;
  • Ensure weekly follow-up and exchange meetings with the various teams (research, audio-visual) involved in the project;
  • Coordinate the writing of research reports, activities and production of the documentary film;
  • Assist the supervisor in defining and implementing the overall public relations strategy and dissemination of project results as well as other organization initiatives;
  • Conduct research and dialogue activities of the project in close collaboration with the assistant researcher;
  • In collaboration with the audiovisual researcher, ensure the development of the script for films related to the theme;
  • Propose methodological adjustments and adaptation of research and video production tools to the specific Burkina Faso-Mali context;
  • Maintain stakeholder analysis in the localities to create collaborative synergies with other stakeholders;
  • Analyze the data collected according to the criteria set by the research;
  • Consolidate the elements of the consultations (focus groups, individual interviews);
  • Produce the first versions of the research reports and make available to the supervisor all the information useful for the finalization of these reports.

Administrative and Logistical Support

  • Help to identify local mobilizers and partners to facilitate the implementation of activities;
  • Identify collaborative links with other local structures to amplify intra- or inter-community reconciliation efforts and mitigate the risk of conflict flare-ups;
  • Participate in Interpeace’s internal courses and training, as decided by Interpeace;
  • Focus on Track Three but with a capacity to operate occasionally at Track Two;
  • Engage and build relationships with implementing partners, donors, and other organizations.

Other

  • The performance of any other task entrusted by the supervisor.

Qualifications:

Candidates with relevant qualifications, experience, a tertiary degree, fluent in both French and English, and in possession of a local work permit are invited to apply.

Relevant experience and qualifications may include:

Education

  • Tertiary degree in peace-related studies, social or political science or other relevant fields.

Experience

  • 5 years of experience in the management of socio-political and/or academic research, peacebuilding and/or related fields;
  • 2 years of experience in facilitating community dialogues as well as meeting/public spaces for dialogue/debate.
  • Experience in local conflict sensitive development work, including infrastructure, is an asset;

Competencies

  • Working knowledge of current thinking on peacebuilding issues and methods as well as development; and demonstrable ability to anticipate emerging needs and integrate them swiftly into priority programme setting;
  • Thorough knowledge of Burkina Faso and Mali’s socio-political context, regional dynamics and the issue of social cohesion;
  • Good knowledge of locally implemented initiatives around desired peace infrastructure;
  • Demonstrated capacity to implement programs/projects and coordinate teams;
  • Proficient internal and external communication skills, demonstrated ability to interact with policy makers, local authorities, media, etc.;
  • Proven ability to communicate and work with various stakeholders, preferably in Mali and Burkina Faso;
  • Administrative and financial management skills considered an asset;
  • Advanced writing and communications skills in English and French required;
  • Knowledge of local languages considered an asset;
  • Excellent analytical and writing skills;
  • Ability to work independently and under pressure;
  • Open, creative, flexible and solution-oriented when a problem arises;
  • Good integrity and strong sensitivity to differences in culture, gender, religion, race, nationality and age;
  • Good computer skills, including Word, Excel and Power Point.

Other qualities

  • Demonstrated interest and experience (e.g. policy brief, analytical publication, academic dissertation, work experience, volunteer engagement) in peacebuilding and development dynamics in West Africa;
  • Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in conflict sensitivity and designing development interventions that contribute to peace desired;
  • Aptitude to adapt to a different context regarding security, culture, climate or health issue

Other conditions

  • Resident in Burkina Faso or ability to independently obtain a local work permit.

Interpeace Competencies

  • Collaboration and Weaving
  • Communication
  • Drive for results
  • Adaptability and Continuous Learning
  • Respect for Diversity

How to Apply?

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete curriculum vitae and a letter of interest to recruitment@interpeace.org.  “Researcher – Burkina Faso” must be included in the subject line of the application email to be considered. The application period is open until the position is filled.

Please note that due to high volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Interpeace values diversity among its staff and aims to achieve gender equality both through gender parity at all levels of the organisation and promoting a gender dimension in all its work. We welcome applications from women and men, and those with disabilities.