Saferworld Somalia Accountability Programme Political Economy and Research Director Job in Nairobi Kenya

Job Title: Political Economy and Research Director, Somalia Accountability Programme
 

Location: Nairobi (with frequent travel to Somalia and Somaliland)
 

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer, Somalia Accountability Programme
 

Key Relationships: Director of Programmes, Africa and MENA, Somalia/land Country Manager, Heads of Policy, Advocacy, Funding and Communications, Director of Operations, and IAAP Project Leads/Directors
 

Salary range: Competitive INGO Salary (This position is subject to project award and funding.)
 

Background: DFID is currently seeking tenders for a Prime Contractor to manage the ‘Implementation and Analysis in Action of Accountability Programme’ (IAAAP) in Somalia. Implemented through a consortium, the IAAAP will lead extensive action research and in-country programming to directly address and provide a better evidence basis for interventions which can improve accountability. 

The IAAAP will consist of a design phase (start-up & inception) for nine months and an implementation phase of 46 months.

Saferworld is an independent non-governmental organisation that works to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. 

We work with civil society, governments and international organisations to encourage and support effective policies and practices through advocacy, research and policy development, and through supporting the actions of others. 

We have a strong thematic focus to our conflict prevention work prioritising: access to security and justice services; arms controls; aid and conflict; and governance and peacebuilding. 

We contribute to lasting change in specific countries and regions and internationally through a combination of research and policy development, advocacy and through supporting practical action at the local level in conflict-affected societies. 

We currently have country and regional programmes in Central and South Asia, the Caucasus, Eastern Europe, the Horn and Great Lakes regions of Africa and the Middle East and North Africa.
 

Job Purpose: The Political Economy and Research Director will provide overall leadership on guiding the areas of analysis under the programme and coordinating the various research aspects of the programme.
 

The Director will be required to chair the Project Leadership Board (PLB) which will bring together the consortium members and DFID to oversee the strategic direction of the programme. 

The Director will also lead on the development of the research element of the programme on Somali Political Economy.
 

This position is subject to project award and funding.
 

Key areas of responsibility:
 

1: Research Quality and Relevance
2: Project Management
3: External Communication and Advocacy
 

Duties:
 

1: Research Quality & Relevance

• Develop the overall scope of the research and the areas of analysis under the programme and ensuring high quality research outputs
• Establishing, alongside other PLB members, the scope, relevance and methodology of the research carried out by the IAAAP
• Ensure gender is mainstreamed into each of the IAAAP research themes

2: Project Management

• Ensuring delivery of the agreed research outputs for each of the IAAAP elements
• Management of the Somali Political Economy research strand of the IAAAP 
• Monitoring the impact of the interventions under the IAAAP and ensuring the programme is appropriately tailored to changing realities and focuses on results.
• Identifying clients for research outputs within and beyond the consortium, the means by which these outputs may be used and how they should be packaged and promoted
• Development of new consortium milestones and defining additional outputs for DFID

3: External Communication & Advocacy

• Effective dissemination of research products through strong external relationships and innovative knowledge management processes.
• Disseminating and promoting the use of IAAAP-generated knowledge
• Managing mechanisms for data archiving, including procedures for long-term accessibility to data after the RPC ends and procedures for public access to data and knowledge
• Establishing effective relationships with the consortium partners and with other collaborating research institutions in target countries to promote the transfer of knowledge to beneficiaries

Person Specification

• At least 8 years of in depth research and other work on Somalia and Somaliland.
• Extensive experience of managing large-scale multi-strand research projects
• Excellent understanding of translating academic research into policy and programming interventions
• Excellent understanding of governance and accountability issues in the context of Somalia and Somaliland
• Demonstrable evidence of linkages to key political networks in Somalia and Somaliland
• Master’s degree or preferably PhD in international relations, development studies, political science or a related field.
• Excellent skills in terms of outreach and influence amongst the international community.
• Strong networking and partner management skills - able to interface between all IAAAP partners, DFID and other stakeholders
• Experience in research, fragile states and governance reforms
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout Somalia, (security conditions permitting,) in order to be able to gain first-hand knowledge about project interventions.
• Proven ability to manage and motivate staff at all levels, including experience of remote management of staff.
• Excellent written and spoken English, and knowledge of Somali desirable
• High level communication skills, including experience of communicating effectively across cultures and with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing

Terms and Conditions
 

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
 

Salary: Competitive INGO salary package
 

Contract length: The position is subject to project award and funding
 

Application Process:
 

To apply please email your CV and a letter detailing how you meet the selection criteria to Marie Aziz at recruitment@saferworld.org.uk (please use heading: Ref: PERS)

Deadline for applications: 13 July 2014