Political Researcher

Focus of the Role

Our focus is on tackling the big challenges which hold such a vision of globalisation back:

• Poor governance which stops the benefits of globalisation being shared because countries cannot build the institutional strength and resilience to transform their situation and deliver for their people
• Extremism which stops the co-existence and cultural open-mindedness essential for social integration
• Conflict which entrenches sectarianism and paralyses progress, particularly in the Middle East
• Western politics which is in urgent need of a new agenda to provide radical but sensible answers to the new challenges presented by globalisation, technology, and the rise of a new false populism.

Our Governance work supports the governments and leaders of fragile, developing, and emerging states to enhance their effectiveness. We are focused on helping governments and leaders make their vision for the development of their country a reality. We work in the centre of government and key line ministries and our work is shaped by national priorities.

Job Introduction

TBI began working in the Sahel in 2018 with its first country project opening in Burkina Faso in 2019. The wider Sahel work focuses on working together with the Sahel Alliance and individual country governments supporting the areas of governance and reform which are crucial building blocks for the region to find solutions to its multifaceted challenges.

Key Responsibilities

The Sahel Political Analyst is a new role, created to be a core team member of the Sahel Strategy team.  The role will focus on research, political-economic monitoring and analysis of regional geopolitical trends and events. It will form the bedrock of our engagement with stakeholders across the region and beyond. Specific duties include:

• Conduct research into prevailing political, social ans security conditions in the Sahel region (Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad). Responsible for conducting regular geo-political assessments of the situation in the region and countrywide. Gather information and producing regular briefings concerning the historical, cultural and political background on the country/region as well as on- going developments.
• Support the Sahel Advisor in the organisation of field and scoping trips. Identify key Sahel related events/meetings and interlocutors. Provide assessment, background knowledge and relevant material on a wide range of interlocutors, including members of governments and other state authorities, political parties, civil society and religious leaders, military, media groups, journalists, and decision-makers in the country.
• Produce briefings and reports on the Sahel for visits by Mr Blair - ahead of trips to the region or as part of regular project updates.
• Draft blogs, media articles, OpEds etc under the supervision of the Sahel Strategy Lead and, in coordination with TBI’s Communication Department, ensure the high visibility of the Sahel team in international events and in the region as well as of Mr. Blair’s visits and communications on the Sahel.
• Maintain a watching brief of events of regional significance and provide updates to the Sahel Lead.
• Work with the Institute’s London-based research team dedicated to counter-extremism to provide information and feedback on their Sahel-related work, and collaborate in order to produce shared briefings or projects.
• Conduct field work as and when necessary to inform the TBI Sahel team strategy and, as required, information-gathering on behalf of a partner government.

Deputise for the Sahel Lead at events or engagements as required. Work closely and liaise with representatives of governments and international and local organisations in gathering information, seeking input and feedback on our strategy for the region.

Person Specification

This is a role in a fast-paced working environment, based in Dakar/in the Sahel region and reporting to the Sahel Lead, working within a complex policy areas that is highly scrutinized. Therefore, the successful candidate for the role should be able to display the majority of the following:

• Extensive knowledge of politics and society in the Sahel region, with significant field experience in the region; Experience in political analysis;
• At least five to seven years professional experience in government, academia, international organisations, NGOs or journalism; 
• Masters degree in international relations, political science, journalism, sociology or equivalent through experience;
• Excellent writing, analytical and editing skills both in English and French including the ability to translate academic and research output into accessible policy analysis as well as to produce briefings for high level meetings.
• Ability to set up data-base and work on quantitative and qualitative datas
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, , including good public presentation skills. A team player with an ability to develop and foster relationships with counterparts across a large organization and with external stakeholders.
• Readiness to adapt to last-minute changes and tight deadlines, showing high flexibility as priorities change, and support areas are revised according to needs. A commitment to rigorous fact-checking and attention to detail, even under pressure.
• Ability to deliver results in complex and challenging environments. A creative and entrepreneurial approach to overcoming barriers, perceiving fresh opportunity and making change happen

Above all, we are looking for individuals with high levels of enthusiasm, resilience, a can-do attitude and ability to achieve consistently results in a fast-paced environment.

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change aims to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies in an interconnected world. We do this through developing policy and advising governments.