Africa: Natural Resources and Conflict Policy Analyst

Sep 26, 2015 | Enough Project
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The Natural Resources and Conflict Policy Analyst will be responsible for policymaker outreach, research, report writing, and review surrounding the nexus of corruption and the natural resource drivers of violent conflict and atrocity crimes in the Horn of Africa, East Africa, and Central Africa. The Policy Analyst will report to the Associate Director of Policy for Congo, Great Lakes, and LRA and collaborate with staff and contractors working on issues in the Central African Republic, or CAR; the Democratic Republic of Congo; Sudan; and South Sudan. These include the cross-border and international networks that facilitate illicit trade with diamonds, gold, ivory, wildlife, timber, charcoal, and other high-value natural resources that provide revenues for armed groups and corrupt regimes in central Africa.

The Natural Resources and Conflict Policy Analyst will have expertise in the regulatory, law enforcement, due diligence, and prosecution frameworks designed to address illicit flows of high-value natural resources. This includes, but is not limited to, the Kimberley Process; the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, due diligence guidance on minerals; the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, or EITI; and Dodd-Frank Section 1502.

The Natural Resources and Conflict Policy Analyst will also focus on the related international treaties, U.N. frameworks, and the legislation, policies, and practices of the United States, European Union, and other governments, as well as the private sector for the Enough Project’s policy papers, briefings, communications, and advocacy efforts.

 

Responsibilities: 

  • Work collaboratively to set a research agenda and help establish policy goals and priorities for the subject along with an actionable strategy for engagement with policymakers and other stakeholders.
  • Conduct original research and policy analysis on the dynamics of illicit natural resource trade in central Africa and on the associated international trade regulations. The research could take place in CAR, Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, and neighboring countries, as well as global trade hubs such as Dubai and Antwerp and policy capitals such as Washington, New York, and Paris. The types of dynamics that the Analyst will research to develop policy strategy include: extractives and natural resource trafficking, including wildlife; security sector and procurement abuse; illicit financial flows; regulatory and sanctions evasion; disguised beneficial ownership; elite financing and offshoring of assets; and convergence of licit and illicit systems.
  • Conduct original research and policy analysis on law enforcement, sanctions regimes, and prosecution frameworks designed to address illicit flows of high-value natural resources.
  • Author, co-author, and edit policy reports, memos, op-eds, and other documents on the subjects.
  • Regularly interact with policymakers and regulators involved in the Kimberley Process and other key forums that address the flow of high-value natural resources, in order to develop appropriate policy reforms that will curb illicit natural resource trade that fuel conflicts in central Africa.
  • Help formulate original policy recommendations and encourage adoption by senior policymakers within the U.S. government, the French government, and other influential governments, including donor governments; the United Nations; the European Union; the African Union; international financial institutions and donors; the Kimberley Process, gold regulators, and other leaders, regulators, and enforcement authorities for high-value natural resources.
  • Work in consultation across policy teams and with Editorial, Advocacy, and Communications staff to plan, develop, and contribute regular content that is dynamic, original, thoroughly grounded in field and policy expertise, and accessible to a broad audience.
  • Liaise with field staff, consultants, and policy teams, as well as with staff throughout the Enough Project.
  • Help the Advocacy team shape subject-related campaign messaging.
  • Contribute dynamic, original, and accessible content for op-eds for outside publications, the Enough blog, and websites on a regular basis.
  • Represent Enough in the media through interviews and regular publication of op-eds and occasional articles in publications of note.
  • Review fundraising materials and reports to donors.
  • Other duties as assigned.

 

Requirements and qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree and four to six years of post-undergraduate experience.
  • Strong academic background or work experience in illicit natural resource trade, international trade regulations, and sanctions regimes.
  • Proven ability to conduct policy research and develop sharp, feasible, and actionable policy recommendations.
  • A strong understanding of policymaking issues and the policy community and the implications of various advocacy and policy approaches, particularly U.S. government policy, the Kimberley Process, the OECD due diligence guidance on minerals, EITI, and Dodd-Frank Section 1502.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of political, economic, and security dynamics in Central Africa and an ability to provide concise in-depth analysis and write professionally on the issue areas.
  • Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication.
  • Adept team player with good interpersonal skills.
  • A strong commitment to human rights and conflict resolution and to Enough’s mission to end genocide and mass atrocities.
  • Superb organization and time-management skills, including the ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
  • Ability to keep calm and work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Good humor and general problem-solving skills.

 

Strongly preferred:

  • Proficiency in French.
  • Master’s degree and/or law degree.

American Progress provides a competitive compensation and benefits package.

American Progress is an equal opportunity employer; women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  

 

To apply

E-mail your Word resume and cover letter attachments to: jobs@americanprogress.org.

Or you may write to: Center for American Progress, 1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor, Washington, D.C., 20005.

Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of this position will be considered applicants and will receive responses from American Progress.

Thank you for your interest in American Progress.