The Netherlands: Research Fellow Private Sector Development and Peacebuilding

Jun 23, 2015 | Clingendael: Netherlands Institute of International Relations
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CRU is currently looking for an experienced researcher in the area of private sector development in contexts emerging from or prone to violent conflict. The position intends to reinforce CRU’s role in providing evidence-based research to inform and guide policies and intervention strategies that minimise harmful effects and maximise the favourable impact economic development can have on peacebuilding. Furthermore, the position intends to connect the emerging ‘private sector development and peacebuilding’ research programme to the other research programmes mentioned above.

To this effect the ideal candidate should combine two fields of expertise. On the one hand she/he should be familiar with the current international policy discourse on peace- and statebuilding, taking into account the changing nature of violent conflict. On the other hand she/he should have demonstrable knowledge of the field of private sector development, preferably with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected environments; she/he should be familiar with prevailing donor approaches, instruments and organisations in the realm of sustainable economic development and have practical working experience in applying this knowledge to enhance the favourable role economic actors can have on broader peace- and statebuilding processes.     

Critical for successful application will be the candidate’s familiarity with the multiple ways in which private sector development interacts with the political economy of fragile societies. Practical experience in working on the nexus of private sector development and peacebuilding with development agencies, private companies or civil society organisations would be highly valued. 

Background:

The Conflict Research Unit (CRU) is a specialised team within the Clingendael Institute, conducting applied, policy-oriented research and developing practical tools that assist national and multilateral governmental and non-governmental organisations in strengthening their engagement in fragile and conflict-affected situations. Taking an integrated analysis of conflict dynamics and the broader political economy as the starting point for its work, the Unit’s research activities cover the full programme cycle: from conflict and context analysis, to programme design, to programme monitoring and programme adjustment, to programme evaluation and the measuring of results. Clients include the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Embassies, Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of other bilateral donors (e.g. the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany), UN organisations, the OECD-DAC, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Commission, and Dutch and International NGOs.

CRU research activities focus on the central components of an integrated approach towards fragile and conflict-affected situations, i.e. security, justice and rule of law; governance and statebuilding; and conflict-sensitive economic development. Additional areas of interest are gender and conflict; and (inter)national aid effectiveness and aid architecture issues. The CRU aims to integrate and balance these components in its research projects. In support of this, the Unit is currently shaping research programmes that will serve as an organizing principle for its activities. Besides the existing programmes on ‘politics and crime’ and ‘security and justice’, the remainder of 2015 will serve to further develop its programmes on ‘political economy analysis’ and ‘private sector development and peacebuilding’.

Tasks and responsibilities:

The researcher would work independently, but in close consultation with the coordinating research fellow of this emerging research programme. She/he would furthermore be expected to actively engage with other colleagues within the CRU-team. Her/his tasks and responsibilities will include:

Act as a lead researcher for certain projects, including project management, and contribute to additional projects led by colleagues. The candidate will be expected to participate in projects in at least one of the following areas: 

Conduct evidence-based, policy relevant research, including:

Organise and contribute to debates on thematic and institutional developments in the research areas mentioned in the ‘qualifications/experience’ section below.

Provide tailored presentations, including both targeted briefings for policy audiences, as well as conference presentations.

Support the acquisition of new research projects through tender procedures and network activities, including developing and writing research proposals

Qualifications and experience:

A university degree in social or political sciences, plus three or more years of relevant working experience (of which preferably some years were spent in fragile or developing countries; this does not have to be research work).

Solid knowledge of the current international peace- and statebuilding agenda and familiarity with the work of OECD-DAC INCAF, the g7+, and multilateral organisations working on issues pertaining to conflict and fragility (United Nations and the World Bank Group, the European Union).

Deep knowledge of current donor approaches and intervention strategies to promote domestic and international private sector development in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Familiarity with the concept and practice of conflict-sensitive development interventions.

Familiarity with international actors working on private sector development and peacebuilding.

Experience of working for/with the private sector in fragile settings is considered an asset.

Additional skills:

Proven ability to deliver tailored advice that matters to policy-makers.

Strong analytical qualities and writing skills that are supported by publications, reports, articles and/or blogs.

Flexible, thoughtful and nimble approach to issues and colleagues, able to contribute constructively and positively when working as part of a team.

Capable of working independently and under time pressure and with strict deadlines while maintaining high levels of quality in her/his work.

Proven networking skills to create, maintain and deepen working relationships and align internal and external stakeholders around an emerging research programme.

Capable of reading and writing in English fluently; preferably also capable of conversing and conducting research in French and/or Spanish. Further linguistic skills are considered an asset.

Conditions:

Location: The Hague, the Netherlands.

The candidate must be eligible to live and work in the Netherlands.

This is a position for 36 hours per week, for 12 months, with a possibility for extension.

Salary in line with requirements for this position (BBRA salary scale 11, EUR 2.873,73 – 4.415,77) based on relevant work experience.

Further information:

Further information about the position can be obtained via e-mail from Ms Anette Hoffmann, Research Fellow CRU (ahoffmann@clingendael.nl). Further information about the procedure and terms of employment can be obtained from Ms Greetje Clymans, HR Advisor (hr@clingendael.nl).

Interested candidates can send an application letter together with a curriculum vitae no later than 13 July 2015 to hr@clingendael.nl. Please indicate the vacancy number of the position you are applying for in the subject of your e-mail as well as in your application letter (CRU.15.06.21).