Research Assistant, Peacebuilding
Vacancy Announcement
January 2017
1 Overview
Conflict Dynamics International (www.cdint.org) seeks to engage an exceptional and highlymotivated Research Assistant to work in Cambridge on its conflict prevention and resolution
research as part of the organization’s peacebuilding program. The Research Assistant will
be a member of a small, dynamic team that develops high-quality applied research on
governance and political processes. The Research Assistant may conduct policy-oriented
research related to peacebuilding and political accommodation; contribute to case studies
and other products; draft literature reviews; contribute to grant proposals; and edit
documents, among other tasks. The Research Assistant will play an important role in
guaranteeing excellence and rigor in Conflict Dynamics’ research.
The position is for an initial period of 3 months, with the possibility of extension, should it be
mutually agreeable. The level of effort is 16-20 hours per week.
2 Background
Conflict Dynamics International is an independent, not-for-profit organization that works to
prevent and resolve violent conflict, and to alleviate human suffering resulting from conflicts
and other crises around the world.
Conflict Dynamics was founded in 2004 and strives to fulfill its mission through
peacemaking, peacebuilding, and humanitarian policy development. The organization has a
proven track record in the provision of mediation support to peace processes and in the
advancement of political accommodation in post-conflict societies.
Conflict Dynamics’ work in the realm of peacebuilding focuses on the provision of
substantive and design-related inputs to ongoing political processes. These inputs focus
primarily on governance-related aspects of peacemaking and peacebuilding, including:
constitutional design; electoral system engineering; public participation in political processes;
integration of traditional leadership in governance structures; consociational arrangements;
etc.
Conflict Dynamics’ peacebuilding team currently has country programs on
Somalia/Somaliland and Sudan, while previous country programs include South Sudan and
Syria. In addition, the team conducts work in thematic areas such as political and economic
cooperation, gender and political accommodation, and Islam and political accommodation.
Preventing and countering violent extremism is an emerging area of work related to the
peacebuilding program.
3 Scope of work
The role of the Research Assistant is to conduct policy-oriented research related to
peacebuilding and political accommodation; contribute to case studies and other products;
draft literature reviews and grant proposals; and edit documents.
The duties and responsibilities of the Research Assistant may include:
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Applied research
1. Conduct policy-oriented research in the areas of peacemaking, peacebuilding,
political accommodation, governance, political processes, etc. to meet the
demands of context-specific and thematic teams.
2. Draft or contribute to a variety of products, including but not limited to case
studies, discussion notes, and concept notes.
3. Contribute to the Peace Pulse, Conflict Dynamics’ monthly digest of recent
debates and scholarship related to peacebuilding and governance, as well as
research on Conflict Dynamics’ peacebuilding contexts: Somalia and Somaliland,
South Sudan, Sudan, and Syria.
Writing and editing
1. Compile literature reviews and contribute to grant proposals, as needed, under
the guidance of the Senior Advisor.
2. Edit and proof read documents for internal use or external publication, to ensure
that they conform to house style and to tailor them to different audiences.
Research methodology
1. Participate in Conflict Dynamics’ Methodology Working Group, which has
membership from the organization’s various peacebuilding teams.
The Research Assistant will also conduct other tasks as agreed with Conflict Dynamics.
4 Experience, skills and qualifications
The following are indicative skills, experience and qualifications for the Research Assistant
position:
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Graduate degree (Master’s or equivalent) in progress or completed in international
conflict resolution, international relations, political science, law, or related social
science field.
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Professional experience working on issues related to peacebuilding, governance,
political systems, fragile states, and other related fields.
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Practical experience of research application in situations of conflict or political
transition, preferably relating to East Africa and/or the Middle East.
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High quality analytical and qualitative research skills.
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Excellent writing skills (English), with experience drafting for a variety of audiences.
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Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
5 Qualities
Some of the qualities Conflict Dynamics seeks in the Research Assistant include:
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Rigorous, systematic thinking.
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Diligence and consistency, with an eye for detail.
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Commitment to Conflict Dynamics’ mission and ethos.
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Commitment to research ethics and integrity.
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Ability to juggle diverse tasks across themes and contexts.
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Ability to draw lessons and translate them across projects.
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Ability to draft and edit to tight deadlines.
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Ability to communicate complex ideas succinctly and without jargon.
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Ability to give and receive constructive criticism.
6 Duration and level of effort
The position is for an initial period of 3 months, with the possibility of extension, should it be
mutually agreeable. The Research Assistant should be available for a minimum of 16 hours
per week.
7 Location
The Research Assistant will be based at Conflict Dynamics’ Head Office in Cambridge, MA,
and must have prior authorization to work in the United States. The Research Assistant will
begin employment as soon as possible.
8 Reporting and management
The Research Assistant will work directly with Conflict Dynamics’ Senior Advisor, Research
Officer, Program Officer – Peacebuilding, and other staff as necessary.
9 Compensation
The Research Assistant will receive a modest stipend.
10 Application procedure
Applicants should send a cover letter, Resume/CV, and recent writing sample by email to
[email protected]. Applicants should save the letter, CV, and writing sample in the
following format - ‘FirstnameLastnameLetter’ – ‘FirstnameLastnameCV’ –
‘FirstnameLastnameSample’. The cover email should reference “Research Assistant
Vacancy.” Applications will be taken on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only
candidates with pre-existing authorization for employment in the United States should apply.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to undertake a short writing test and provide the
names of three references. Interviews will be held in Conflict Dynamics’ Cambridge office.
** NOTE: ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED **
Conflict Dynamics International
1035 Cambridge Street, Suite 10A
Cambridge, MA 02141
USA
Phone: 617-661-1066
www.cdint.org
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