JOB DESCRIPTION –

SENIOR FELLOW

Position: Senior Fellow (1-year consultancy, renewable)

Location: Tunis, Tunisia

The Arab Reform Initiative (ARI) is a policy research centre whose key mission is to articulate a home-grown agenda for democratic change in Arab countries. We operate on the principles of impartiality, social justice, gender equality, and diversity and maintain a strict line of independence from any external agendas. We conduct policy analysis and innovative field research, combine scholarly work and advocacy, and produce practical intellectual tools to strengthen practices of active citizenship and influence political transformation processes. We also empower Arab research by providing an international platform for dissemination. ARI engages, academic researchers, think tanks, social movements, civil society actors, decision-makers, media, and the public on issues of democratization and full citizenship. ARI is a hub for a network of Arab think tanks and works in partnership with international institutions in order to promote sustained South-South and South-to-North exchanges and dialogues related to reform initiatives across the region.

Job profile

ARI is recruiting a Senior Fellow to act as our representative in North Africa, based in Tunis. The Senior Fellow will be responsible for developing and anchoring ARI’s presence in Tunisia, and for implementing our programming and research lines as related to North Africa. The Senior Fellow will carry out research within ARI’s programming lines as well as produce in-depth policy analysis on key political, social and security issues related to North African countries, and in particular Tunisia, Algeria and Libya. The Senior Fellow will also engage with the Initiative’s partners and external stakeholders located in North Africa as well as the local and regional media. The Senior Fellow will be expected to play an active role in developing our presence in Tunis, in fundraising activities, and in organizing and participating in events related to ARI’s work and mission. The Senior Fellow will regularly liaise and report to ARI’s Executive Director in France and provide strategic guidance regarding key priorities for programming in North Africa.

This is a dynamic role for someone with strong organizational, research and interpersonal skills who can multitask. We are looking for someone who is proactive, engaged and interested in being part of a growing team.

Main responsibilities

• Pro-actively develop ARI’s presence in Tunis and our outreach in North Africa. This includes representational work of ARI at all relevant meetings and events, establishing presence in the media, convening stakeholders for a variety of events and discussions, and maintaining strong relations with ARI’s partners, donors, and policy circles in Tunis.
• Author policy-relevant analysis on key political, social, and security issues regarding North Africa and in particular Tunisia, Algeria and Libya. Such analyses should be published along ARI’s normal publication and communications channels as well as other outlets (press, academic journals, policy journals, panels and public events).
• Organize and convene a wide variety of events in Tunis, including conferences, workshops, policy dialogues, and policy briefings as related to ARI’s programming lines and commentary on current events.
• Network and maintain outreach with all relevant stakeholders, and represent ARI with external stakeholders including Arab, EU and international institutions, donors and other partners in various meetings.
• Promote ARI’s work in the media including building and maintaining contacts with relevant journalists, writing op-eds in relevant newspapers, and participating in media interviews and debates.
• Work with the Communications team to develop and implement advocacy strategies for the programs targeting Arab and global audiences.
• Fundraise for ARI and develop donor relations.

Person specification

• At least 5 years of work experience in the field of policy research or sector related to political reform or peacebuilding. Experience should ideally reflect a combination of analytical work and program implementation, with significant experience in project cycle management in the non-profit sector.
• Specialist knowledge on Tunisia and/or Algeria, Libya, and in particular issues related to political transition processes, conflict and inclusive peacebuilding, and/or social movements and new forms of participation.
• Proven engagement within policy circles, with particular experience in national and international meetings. Proven experience in achieving policy influence or impact will be considered a strong advantage.
• Ability to write insightful articles with targeted and actionable policy recommendations for a variety of stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, with strong Arabic and French. Strong English highly desirable.
• Confident public speaker and capable of dealing with the media.
• Competent fundraiser with experience of both public and private donors.
• Entrepreneurial attitude and strong capacity to take initiatives and see them through, ability to adapt to changing contexts and maintain flexibility and multi-task, team spirit and ability to collaborate with colleagues at a distance
• Advanced university degree in political sciences, international relations, public policy/administration, economics, law, or similar

Contract and offer

The Senior Fellow will be hired on a 12-month consultancy basis, renewable. Pay will be competitive and will depend on level of experience.

TO APPLY: 

Please send your CV, covering letter, and a writing sample in both Arabic and French/English to

with the subject line “Senior Fellow”.

Deadline for application: 04 October 2019

Due to the large volume of candidates applying for positions within ARI, we will only be able to respond to applicants who have been shortlisted. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial meeting in Tunis in October.

Expected start date: November 2019 (but some flexibility is possible)