Research Assistant within SIPRI – World Food Programme (WFP) partnership

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is seeking a  Research Assistant with the responsibilities to support the research activities of the WFP-SIPRI Knowledge Partnership with information, administrative and coordination tasks. 

 

Context

SIPRI is an independent international institute whose core mission is to undertake research and activities on security, conflict and peace. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. SIPRI provides excellent opportunities for scientific and personal development. SIPRI is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all over the world. 

SIPRI’s research area “Peace and Development” explores the conditions conducive to sustainable development and positive peace, focusing on how good development and security policy and practice can contribute to creating the enabling conditions that promote a lasting peace. The research pursued within the SIPRI-World Food Programme (WFP) partnership aims to identify the WFP’s contribution to improving the prospects for peace in the countries where it works, to see how risks of negative impact could be minimised, and what steps the WFP could take to enhance its positive contribution. 

 

Main tasks

The main tasks of the Research Assistant are:


• Collecting and processing information to support desk-based research for the country case studies and the thematic lines of inquiry;
• Build and maintain rolling literature reviews on the thematic lines of inquiry;
• Contribute to the development of contextual analysis;
• Assist the preparation of the in-country research;
• Coordinate with WFP counterparts administrative aspects of the partnership;
• Note taking during SIPRI-WFP partnership meetings and workshops;
• Carrying out other research and dissemination tasks on an ad hoc basis; and
• Taking part in the collective life of the Institute by attending and participating in seminars, Research Staff Collegium meetings, P&D cluster meetings and other collective activities.

 

Requirements

The successful candidate must have:


• A University degree – preferably at the Master’s level or equivalent – in Political Science, International Relations, Conflict Studies or a related field;
• Demonstrated research and writing skills;
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills, including being a team player;
• Ease at engaging with senior officials;
• An ability to work independently, organize, and manage time effectively; and
• Strong command of written and oral English, with further language proficiency considered an advantage.

 

Contract period

Starting 1 November 2020 or as soon as possible, the contract period will initially last for 2 years with possibility of extension. The post is full-time. The post requires that the candidate becomes a resident in Stockholm, Sweden by the time of employment. The salary package will be negotiated individually. 

Despite the situation in light of COVID-19, this recruitment is intended to be carried out as planned. At the same time, it is acknowledged that the situation can change and based on how it develops, we will assess how to proceed with the recruitment process in practice.

 

How to apply:

Having reviewed the advertisement, candidates should submit:


• A letter of intent specifying why you are applying for this position (1 page);
• A curriculum vitae including degrees, work experience, publications, language skills and contact details for two referees;
• Copies of diplomas for university degree(s); and
• One writing sample (in English).

In order to be considered in the recruitment process, the application must be made via the form in the vacancies section of SIPRI’s website and not through any other external job sites. 

Please observe that you must apply via our electronic application system. Please access the form via the ‘apply’ button at the end of this page.

 

The initial closing date for applications is 4 October 2020. Interviews are expected to be held virtually in October.

 

For further information or confidential enquiries, please contact Caroline Delgado (caroline.delgado@sipri.org) or Helena Berger, Human Resource Manager (berger@sipri.org).

The trade union contact persons at SIPRI are Pieter Wezeman for ST (pwezeman@sipri.org) and Jiayi Zhou for Saco-S (zhou@sipri.org).