IDRC Senior Program Officer - Governance, Security and Justice

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC), a Canadian Crown corporation, supports financially and through capacity-building, research in developing regions of the world to promote growth and development. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that bring choice and change to those who need it most.

Senior Program Officer - Governance, Security and Justice

Safe and Inclusive Cities Initiative

Ottawa, Canada

 

Job Overview

 

IDRC’s Governance, Security and Justice(GSJ) Program funds research that addresses development challenges posed by insecurity, injustice, and the abuse of power. We support evidence-based research that helps citizens and public authorities address the sources of violent conflict, organized crime, and poor governance in a gender sensitive manner.

 

As a Senior Program Officer and a key member of our multi-disciplinary team, you will be responsible for the implementation of the Safe and Inclusive Citiesinitiative. Safe and Inclusive Cities is a jointly-funded program by IDRC and the UK’s Department for International Development. The initiative aims to build an evidence base on the connections between urban violence, poverty, and inequalities. It also seeks to identify the most effective strategies for addressing these challenges.

 

In particular, you will take the lead in managing, monitoring, evaluating, reporting on and disseminating the results of a portfolio of research projects under the initiative. You will engage with grantees under the initiative to ensure that their research projects:

•        generate a better understanding of the relationship between urban violence, poverty and inequalities, and identify the most effective strategies for tackling these challenges; and

•       contribute to the shaping of theoretical and conceptual frameworks and methodological approaches that will guide future research on these issues.

At the level of the initiative, you will:

•        support a cadre of researchers, particularly in the Global South, in enhancing their skills to design and execute cutting edge, policy relevant, rigorous, and gender sensitive research projects in cities affected by violence in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean; 

•        widely disseminate project- and program-level research results among local, regional, and international stakeholders with a view to influencing policy and practice; and

•       work closely with GSJ team members, in particular the Program Leader, to design and draft user-friendly summative documents and communication pieces that synthesize research funded under the Safe and Inclusive Cities initiative for multiple audiences including government agencies, researchers, practitioners, the media, policy communities and the public. This will include, but not be limited to, the organization of formal and informal exchanges that enable engagement and uptake in Canadian and international policy circles.

 

Candidate Profile

 

Education

 

•       PhD and a record of research and publication in a relevant discipline such as international development, public administration, international relations, political science or political economyOR Master’s degree in a relevant discipline and significant work experience

 

Experience

 

Position requires a minimum of five years’ relevant experience, which includes:

 

• managing and conducting research projects in developing regions on issues related to violence, poverty and/or inequalities, from project design to project implementation and evaluation;
• assessing and strengthening organizational capacities of research organizations through mentoring and supervising;
• establishing and building partnerships with research organizations;
• consulting with decision-makers and policy actors to identify research needs;
• drafting reports for externally funded programs;
• work experience in developing region(s); and
• work experience in a policy research or grant-making organization is an asset.

 

Knowledge

 

•        Knowledge of current debates and research agendas i) on issues of urban violence, poverty and inequalities; and ii) on promoting governance, security and justice issues / challenges in conflict, post-conflict or transition contexts in developing regions

•       Knowledge of the gendered dimensions of violence, conflict and poverty, with a focus on urban centres

•         Capacity to integrate a range of disciplines, approaches and methods in relation to the study of urban violence, poverty and inequalities

•        Sound understanding of research-policy linkages

 

Competencies

 

•        Commitment to developing local, national and regional research capacity in the Global South on issues of urban violence, poverty and inequality

•        Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and sensitivity towards individual, gender and cultural differences

•       Results oriented with strong organizing, problem-solving, negotiating, implementing and monitoring skills

•       Solid analytical and writingskills

•        Proven creativity, initiative and ability to work under pressure

•        Ability to establish, manage and monitor relationships with various stakeholders

•        Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and partially virtual team including diverse cultures, expertise and experiences

•         Ability to effectively represent the Centre externally

 

Additional Information

This position requires a willingness to travel internationally. Annual salary progression is based on an economic and a merit increase.

 

If you are interested in a career with a lasting impact, we invite you to join our multidisciplinary team of dedicated and skilled professionals operating in a stimulating and diverse environment. For more information about this opportunity and how to apply, visit www.idrc.ca/careers

 

Application Deadline: March 3, 2013

 

IDRC encourages applications from qualified women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.