The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) invites applications for a three-month fellowship for young Africans (male or female) in the project Security and Governance in Africa, which is funded by the Open Society Institute (OSI). The fellowship will be residential at SIPRI in Stockholm, Sweden. It is the first of a series of fellowships and internships for Africans that will be offered by SIPRI.
SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.
The project Security and Governance in Africa aims to contribute to increased knowledge and awareness about the role and impact of external actors on security, democratization and governance in Africa. It has two key components: research and collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs) in Africa. The research component involves mapping and analysing the security-related activities of external actors in Africa. The collaboration component involves working with African CSOs to help strengthen their advocacy work in the area of raising awareness about issues of security, human rights and good governance; and to gain greater insights into the impacts of external actors.
Through the fellowships, SIPRI seeks to work with African researchers and civil society activists, to facilitate their participation in the security debates in their countries, and to serve as a platform for the outreach of African perspectives in international debates. The project is being coordinated by SIPRI in conjunction with selected CSOs in Africa and African intellectuals and practitioners.
The successful candidate(s) will be expected to develop and complete a research or policy-relevant paper addressing aspects of external actors’ role in security and governance in Africa; to assist in coordinating and planning activities for the security and governance project; and to participate in SIPRI research activities, especially in gathering African military expenditure data.
Requirements
- A mid-career researcher, practitioner or activist with African nationality or citizenship.
- Minimum of a master’s degree in international relations, political science, economics, international law, sociology or a related discipline in the social sciences plus at least three years’ work experience.
- Knowledge of key conflict, security, human rights or governance issues and institutions in Africa.
- Excellent communication (writing and speaking) skills in English along with IT skills.
Fellowship period: Three months, beginning preferably in March 2010, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Financial terms: The fellowship covers the costs of moving to Stockholm, housing costs during the fellowship and a modest salary.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Nord, Deputy Director: +46-8-655 97 58
Åsa Agréus, personnel Officer: +46-8-655 97 63
Applications: Applicants should submit a one-page letter detailing their qualifications and interests in the subject area; a full CV with information about educational background, relevant experience, skills and major publications; and one sample of written work.
Please clearly indicate ‘Fellowship Africa project’ in your letter of application.
Applications should be sent to:
africafellowship@sipri.org or
Åsa Agréus
Personnel Officer,
SIPRI
Signalistgatan 9
SE-169 70 SOLNA
SWEDEN
Closing date for applications: 30 November 2009.
Please note that due to limited resources only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
For further information about the position, contact:
Elisabeth Sköns, Project Leader, tel. +46-8-655 97 35 or
Olawale Ismail, Project Coordinator, tel. +46-8-655 97 74, or
Email: africafellowship@sipri.org.
