Senior Researcher

The Nordic Africa Institute is a centre for research, knowledge, policy advice and information on Africa. Based in Uppsala, Sweden, we are a government agency, funded jointly by Sweden, Finland and Iceland.
The NAI African Scholar Program invites applications for the position of
Senior Researcher, (African Scholar Program)
Closing date for applications: 26 April 2020


About the Nordic Africa Institute (NAI)
The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) was founded in 1962 and since then has provided knowledge in the form of high-quality research, timely information and extensive documentation on Africa. Over a period of half a century, NAI has remained committed to academic and policy research, information dissemination and documentation on African issues. NAI has followed the trends and development of Africa studies in the Nordic region and in African continent, and also actively initiated new ideas and forms of engagement to fulfil its mission as the main centre for African knowledge in the Nordic countries and to serve its stakeholders in the Nordic countries, and globally. The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) is currently implementing a Five Year Strategy, 2017-2021, which has promoting academic and policy-oriented research programs on Africa in the Nordic countries as one of its strategic goals.
NAI offers a stimulating intellectual environment, an interdisciplinary research orientation, a team of researchers from different social and natural scientific backgrounds, and a library with modern facilities. In addition, the institute is linked to an extensive networks of research institutions in Africa and the Nordic countries.


Job Description
The Nordic Africa Institute’s African Scholar Program is targeted at researchers based in Africa who need time and a conducive environment for finishing and writing up their ongoing research. It offers a Senior Researcher position at the Nordic Africa Institute for the duration of 12 months. The Nordic Africa Institute is looking for a qualified researcher from African universities and research institutions with demonstrable research interest.
The Senior Researcher under the Institute’s African Scholar Program will develop and execute interdisciplinary research projects within at least one of the following thematic areas of the institute, namely:
Climate change and sustainable development
Conflict and security
Mobility and migration
Gender equality

The successful candidate might use the period of her/his employment at NAI to complete on-going research, develop new research projects, or complete articles, books or monograph manuscripts. The scholar-researcher should take advantage of the intellectual and logistical resources of the Nordic Africa Institute and expect to contribute meaningfully towards actualizing NAI’s vision and mandate and its policy outreach activities in return.


Qualifications
A PhD degree in a social science or humanities disciplines. The applicant should have a considerable experience of work on Africa-related issues.
A current research/teaching position in university or research institution in Africa.
Strong writing ability and capacity to present complex issues in a readable form for both academic and non-academic audiences.
Strong analytical skills.
Strong communication skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
Knowledge of Africa’s scientific community, policy environment, and other relevant stakeholders and actors in Africa.
Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.



The application
The application should contain:
A. A proposal not exceeding 5 pages. It should include the applicant’s
Presentation of the on-going research project(s) – objective, questions, theory and method;
Work plan for the length of stay at the institute – detailing proposed intellectual activities, expected outputs (such as publication, dissemination activities, participation at seminar/workshop/conference activities, and policy engagements);

B. A complete CV with a list of scientific publications where it is clearly indicated which publications are formally considered as peer reviewed.
C. Indication of internet addresses to the applicant’s own publications relating to his/her research (a maximum of three publications).
D. Proof of networking and collaboration.
E.  Names and contact details of at least two references.
As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be invited to present their proposed research projects for the Nordic Africa Institute via Skype/Zoom.


Condition of Service
Contract period will be 12 months and expected start of date is October 1st, 2020.
Salary is negotiable within the current levels at the institute. 


More information about NAI’s research focal areas and themes, on-going research activities, grants, library services and publications is available on the Institute’s website: www.nai.uu.se.
The Institute promotes equal opportunities for all, and good representation of African regions.