IDeA – Research Associate/ The Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) / Location: Flexible / Closing date: Sunday, November 14, 2010

http://www.pambazuka.org/images/articles/501/AwidNewLogo.JPG

Organization:
The Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) is an international feminist membership organization that works to strengthen the voice, impact and influence of women's rights advocates, organizations and movements internationally.

AWID is currently seeking an activist/researcher with a strong background in economics and development to work with our Influencing Development Actors and Practices for Women’s Rights (IDeA) strategic initiative. IDeA is engaged in an exciting action-research agenda that is attempting to connect theoretical debates on development and the need for alternative models with concrete experiences, lessons learned and analysis from a women’s rights perspective. We’re looking for someone with excellent writing and research skills, including knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The successful candidate will be able to critically engage with the assumptions of mainstream/orthodox economics from a women’s rights perspectives.

Overview of the Strategic Initiative:
Launched in 2008, AWID’s strategic initiative, Influencing Development Actors and Practices for Women’s Rights (IDeA) advances feminist understandings of the relationship between development and women’s rights with a particular focus on the aid effectiveness agenda and the Financing for Development process at the UN. The initiative produces and disseminates knowledge on development issues with special emphasis on women’s perspectives and aims to connect theoretical debate on development and the need for alternative models or paradigms with concrete experiences, lessons learned and analysis from women’s rights perspectives.

QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:
4 to 6 years experience:
- working for a non-profit organization in a related role
- conducting research, including collecting, analyzing, and presenting data
- working in a multi-cultural team
- Significant experience in writing and editing research to communicate research findings to diverse audiences
- Experience with advocacy initiatives or influence strategies
- Experience working with non-profit organizations based in the Global South and/or Central and Eastern Europe

Academic Qualifications:
- University degree or college diploma in a related field: economics, political science, international relations, development, women’s studies, etc.

Expertise & Skills:
- Ability to engage critically with the assumptions of mainstream/orthodox economics from a women’s rights perspective in order to analyze and engage meaningfully in debates around challenges to the current neoliberal models of growth and development.
- Demonstrated capacity to connect related micro and meso level debates around alternative models to current trends and challenges to the neoliberal economic model at a macro level
- Excellent research, writing and editing skills, ability to analyze information across a range of disciplines and able to extract relevant analyses and communicate them to diverse audiences
- Good knowledge of research methodologies including statistical and quantitative methods as well as qualitative methodologies (interviews, case studies, etc.)
- Demonstrated capacity with alliance-building and negotiations among diverse groups (including women’s rights organizations)
- Strong administrative and computer skills, including word processing, presentation packages (Power Point), Internet, and email
- Effective public speaking and presentation skills
- Keen attention to detail and quality control
- Able to manage conflict effectively
- Strong interpersonal skills and able to build alliances with diverse actors
- Able to multi-task, and willing to perform diverse tasks as needed in a timely manner
- Proactive, able to work independently and as part of a team
- Able to work under pressure and to produce results quickly
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English

Knowledge & Other Requirements:
- Strong knowledge of feminist/heterodox economics, with a clear understanding of the implications of economic policies and principles on different groups
- Some knowledge of development and economic rights frameworks and related UN processes
- Familiarity with international and regional women’s rights organizations and networks working on development and economic rights
- Able to travel internationally (approx. 7 weeks per year)
- Committed to the principles and values of feminism and anti-oppression

Assets:
- Graduate degree in a related field
- Courses or certificates in women's/feminist studies, political economy or human rights considered an asset
- Relationships with women’s rights organizations in multiple regions, particularly Africa and/or Asia
- Bilingual (English as well as Spanish and/or French)

For a complete job description, please visit our website at www.awid.org

How to Apply:

Please send:
1) Cover letter and current CV (addressing how you meet the necessary qualifications and outlines why you want to work for AWID)
2) The exact source/location you saw the advertisement for this position

Fax: +416 594 0330
E-mail: [email protected] (please include “IDeA – Research Associate” in the subject line of the email)

No phone calls please. Only email and faxed applications will be accepted. The application closing date is Sunday, November 14, 2010. We thank all who apply, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. AWID encourages, promotes and supports diversity in all aspects of its work.

To learn more about AWID and our programs, please visit our website at www.awid.org