Associate, Middle East

IPI ( formerly International Peace Academy ) is an independent, international institution dedicated to promoting the prevention and settlement of armed conflicts between and within states through policy research and development. Its Middle East Program is implemented under the overall guidance of IPI President Terje Rød-Larsen, a senior United Nations official long intimately involved in the Middle East peace process and in UN engagement in the broader region. Middle East program activities focus on lending support to the Middle East peace process through policy research and development, high-level dialogue and broader workshops and seminars, but they also respond to wider needs and trends in the region.

The International Peace Institute (IPI) is seeking an Associate to support the work of its Middle East Program. The Associate reports to the President and performs the following duties:

• Develop and execute a research and policy development agenda on the Middle East, leveraging IPI’s unique reputation and position on this topic
• Co-edit the Middle East Peace Process Compendium with Terje Rød-Larsen, to be published by Oxford University Press
• Serve as IPI’s central contact person on all issues pertaining to the Middle East
• Sustain and further develop IPI’s relationships with UN bodies, Member States, and other international organizations on Middle East issues
• Collaborate with the Statebuilding, Africa, and Coping with Crisis Programs within IPI to develop outputs (meetings, published writings and policy inputs) related to both the Middle East and the specific issues those Programs address.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have the following:

• PhD or other advanced degrees in international relations, political science, Middle East studies, or a related field, with a specialization on the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Middle East peace process preferred
• 4-6 years of relevant work experience in public policy, policy research and development, and/or program management and administration in a national or international governmental or non-governmental organization, preferably in a management and/or policy advising capacity
• Superior research, writing and editing ability, excellent reasoning and analytical skills, ability to understand multilateral policy issues and concepts and to convey them effectively through verbal and written communications
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to set priorities and multitask effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure, creative environment
• Leadership skills, good interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a team
• Knowledge of relevant regional languages and/or official UN languages and field experience would be an asset

We offer a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. IPI also provides medical, dental and vision coverage as well as life and travel insurance amongst other benefits. IPI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and is strongly committed to hiring and retaining a diverse and internationally representative staff.

To apply for this position, please send a cover letter with curriculum vitae/resume, contact information for three professional referees, and a short writing sample (max. 5 pages) to: employment@ipinst.org.

Please write the “Associate – Middle East” in the subject line of your e-mail and attach only MS Word or Adobe PDF files. Do not compress files as all zipped files will be deleted and unread. No telephone or faxed inquiries.

Application materials are not returnable. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The position will be filled as soon as a successful candidate is identified.

The IPI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and strongly committed to hiring and retaining a diverse and internationally representative staff.