Africa: Short term consultant - Women in war and conflict

CRISIS GROUP –AFRICA PROGRAM
The International Crisis Group (Crisis Group) is an independent, non-profit, multinational organisation, with over 115 staff members on five continents, working through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict. We are currently looking for a highly motivated staff member who will be working for our project as:
SHORT TERM CONSULTANT – WOMEN IN WAR AND CONFLICT
STUDY TO BE CONDUCTED IN SOMALIA, RWANDA AND ERITREA
Role:
You will be working in close cooperation with the Central and Horn of Africa Project teams to examine the roles played by women in war and its aftermath including their contributions as peacemakers.
The aim of the proposed study is to examine the relationship between war and the status of women, with specific reference to political, social and economic leadership roles. In particular, the study will examine the extent to which women’s leadership in the peacemaking and peace building represents either continuity or change from their roles before and during armed conflict.

The research will comprise three case studies: Somalia, Rwanda and the Eritrea. In each case, the study will examine the role of women’s leadership in the pre-conflict period; from the advent of conflict through its most violent phase; the role of women in peacemaking efforts at national and sub-national levels; and the leadership roles occupied by women in the post-conflict period.
Responsibilities:
• The consultant will in particular examine and explore the status of women before, during and after conflict, their leadership roles in peace making efforts and how they contributed to the post war reconstruction in the three countries.
• Shall conduct extensive field research in coordination with 3 local field researchers in Somalia, Rwanda and Eritrea.;
• The consultant will plan, outline and manage the research work for the field researchers;
• Supervise the overall planning and;
• Present the final result in a detailed report setting out relevant research findings and providing policy recommendations.
• Extensive travel and field research will be required.

Requirements:
• Deep knowledge and proven field experience in human rights issues with an emphasis on leadership roles of women during conflict and peace building;
• Proven track records in having conducted similar studies;.
• Excellent research, writing and analytical skills;
• Fluency in English, French, Somali and/or Tigrigna, knowledge of local languages appreciated;
• Good management skills or capacity to lead a small team;
• Degree in international relations, political science, sociology or equivalent.

Applications should be submitted in English and include a CV and a cover letter. In the cover letter the candidate should briefly propose his or her own ideas on themes as set out above and briefly describe how he/she would research them (in no more than two pages). Please refer to Crisis Group's website for previous reports and briefing papers:
http://www.crisisgroup.org.
Please send applications by email to [email protected] mentioning the job title under subject to the attention of Johanna van der Hoeven, HR Director or apply online through our web site: www.crisisgroup.org.

The closing date for applications is 24 June 2005.
Unfortunately, due to the large number of applications that we receive, we are unable to respond to each individual candidate.