Nordic Africa Institute: Research Director

The Nordic Africa Institute, established in 1962, has been an important research, documentation and information centre on modern Africa in the Nordic countries. It is jointly financed by the Nordic countries, and promotes both research and studies on Africa in the Nordic countries and co-operation between mainly African and Nordic researchers. NAI also disseminates information on current African issues, through publications, seminars, conferences and various policy-related activities.

The Nordic Africa Institute seeks to appoint a Research Director, based in Uppsala, Sweden.

The Research Director heads the research unit which includes four research clusters, namely Rural Dynamics: Agrarian Change, Property and Resources; Conflict, Security and Democratic Transformation in Africa; Urban Dynamics; Globalization, Trade and Regional Integration, and the Policy and Research Support function. A Cluster Leader is responsible for each cluster. The Research Director and the Cluster Leaders form the research management team, whose meetings the Research Director leads. 20 full-time and part-time researchers are at present employed.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, manage and implement the Institute’s research activities;
• Develop ideas with regard to new research themes and strategies in collaboration with other researchers at the Institute;
• Conduct his/her own research as agreed with the Director at an international level;
• Represent the interests of the researchers and participate in the general development of the Institute;
• Coordinate policy and research dialogue and promote research profile and visibility of the Institute.

Requirements:

• PhD degree in social sciences/humanities;
• Considerable experience of work on Africa-related issues at the level of Associate Professor or above;
• Extensive research experience, including research coordination, with focus on current African issues;
• Capacity to articulate a research vision and promote a creative and collegial environment for all research staff;
• Good listening, strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team;
• Excellent mentoring and managerial skills;
• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English;
• Good knowledge of, and contacts with African researchers, research institutions and policy makers;
• Strong writing ability and capacity to present complex issues in a readable form for both academic and non-academic audiences;
• Documented skills of research coordination;
• Demonstrate a substantive track record of academic publishing of modern Africa in books and peer-rev journals;
• Proven interest in transferring knowledge;
• Good knowledge of, and contacts with international research institutions and policy makers working on current African issues;
• Knowledge of, and contacts with Nordic research institutions, policy makers and civil society organizations working on current African issues;
• Experience of fundraising.

Contract period will be five years with the possibility of an extension on the basis of an interim assessment.

To apply, submit the information listed below to nai@nai.uu.se (including publications to the extent possible or by indication of internet addresses where they might be available) or in hard copy by regular post to The Nordic Africa Institute, P O Box 1703, SE–751 47 Uppsala, Sweden.

The application should include:

• Proposal, not exceeding 5 pages, including research questions, problems, methodology and theory situated in relation to the research; personal leadership philosophy and experience of research coordination; network strategies (with particular reference to Africa and the Nordic countries); and strategy for dissemination of research results (including contribution to policy advice);
• Complete CV with a list of publications;
• Three of the applicant’s own publications (in three copies each) relating to the research;
• Names and addresses (phone, fax, e-mail) of at least three referees, with at least one of these must have worked under the leadership of the candidate in the past (though not currently).

Enquiries: Carin Norberg, Tel: +46 18 56 22 65.

As part of the interview, shortlisted candidates will be required to make a presentation to staff before the actual interview.

Please indicate in your cover note in which media you first saw this advert - NGO Pulse Portal.

The Nordic Africa Institute is committed to an Equal Opportunities Policy in employment and since the institute strives for a balanced proportion of men and women, women are particularly encouraged to apply for the position.

For more about the Nordic Africa Institute, refer to www.nai.uu.se.

For other vacancies in the NGO sector, refer to www.ngopulse.org/vacancies.

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