Program Assistant, African Peacebuilding Network/Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is an independent, international, nonprofit organization devoted to the advancement of interdisciplinary research in the social sciences through a wide variety of workshops and conferences, fellowships and grants, summer training institutes, scholarly exchanges, research, and publications. For more information, please visit our website: www.ssrc.org. 

Description

The SSRC seeks a Program Assistant for the APN/Next Gen program. The program supports two integrated initiatives. APN promotes independent African research on conflict-affected regions, bolsters African knowledge in global policy communities, and facilitates research projects and networking activities involving African academics, policy analysts, and practitioners working on peacebuilding issues. Next Gen supports the intellectual development of early-career faculty members in in the following sub-Saharan African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, who have yet to complete their PhD and invest in activities that will provide them with enhanced research capabilities, greater credentials, and an international network of researchers. APN/Next Gen employs a two-pronged approach to build individual capabilities and institutional capacity: the first is by offering competitive research fellowships to provide financial support at distinct but crucial stages of the doctoral dissertation journey and field-based research; the second strategy employs workshops held on the continent to strengthen research capacity, assist researchers in developing publications, and allow fellows to engage within the international research community. The program fosters research on peacebuilding, security, and development issues from new and diverse perspectives.

The Program Assistant serves as the first point of contact for applicants, fellows, partners, and others in the fields of peacebuilding research, and higher education in Africa. The Program Assistant will work with program staff and international partners to plan fellows’ training workshops in Africa, as well as policy engagements and scholarly convenings across the world. Additionally, the Program Assistant will support the organizing of meetings, research, analysis, and program initiatives responsive to trends in the fields of peacebuilding, security and development, and African higher education. Reporting to the Program Director and working closely with other members of the team, the Program Assistant will curate outcomes related to the fellowship program on social media and program websites and work with the Program Director and Program Officer to report results to Council programs, partner institutions, and funders.

Responsibilities 

• Support the Program Director with the overall administration of the program
• Assist in the selection and administrative processes for fellowship awards and program agreements and work with committee members, which includes maintaining a database of contacts, fellows, reviewers, committee members, and tracking all correspondence and decisions across multiple rounds of review
• Serve as first point of communication with fellows and track progress through and after duration of fellowship program
• Manage fellows’ database, files, and correspondences well as administration of fellowships
• Serve as rapporteur for program workshops and meetings, which will include taking minutes of complex discussions, drafting event summaries, etc.
• Plan on- and off-site workshops and meetings, including developing exercises to build research capabilities among fellows as well as handling logistical support, the preparation of agendas, and other materials, and all related correspondence with workshop participants
• Coordinate and execute workshop logistics in partnership with local universities and NGOs
• Provide additional support for program workshops, partnerships, and meetings (e.g., take meeting notes, write up meeting summaries, issue press releases)
• Work with budgets and financial reports and process and reconcile expenses against budgets
• Help maintain and expand the program’s online presence, including online application portal, managing, and updating program web pages, contact lists, databases, files, and records
• Assist with digital media projects, such as blogs, podcasts, and social media postings on Facebook, and Twitter
• Contribute to brainstorming and discussions on various aspects of select projects, including concept notes, drafts, grant proposals, communications strategies, and more

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a field in the social sciences or humanities preferred
• Proficiency with the use of software platforms and high degree of comfort with multiple technology applications, including MS Office and databases
• Academic interest in the study of Africa, with specific focus on development, peace, and security issues
• Proficiency with research, data collection, review, analysis, documentation, and reporting a plus
• Exceptional organizational skills, with strong attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work flexibly within a team-oriented environment
• Ability to prioritize daily activities and to meet competing deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, time management skills, and a high degree of professionalism are essential
• The ability to travel internationally is required
• Experience working with similar programs, or programming in higher education, will be an added advantage

Additionally, the ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Ease with networking across various cultural and geographic spaces
• Discretion and commitment to confidentiality
• Commitment to higher education in the global South
• An enthusiasm for working in Africa with fellows and faculty
• Confidence to propose ideas and strategy for the program
• Photography and graphic design skills a plus

Terms, Salary, and Benefits

Annual salary is $50,000. Comprehensive benefits include health, dental, vision, disability, life, and gym reimbursement; $1,500 annual tuition and/or student loan reimbursement and professional development funds; outstanding pension plan and tax savings programs; generous vacation and sick leave; and more.

 This position is based in New York City, with the option to work from home or from the SSRC office at the employee’s discretion, aside from two mandatory in-person meetings each year.

Application Information 

Please submit your application using the following link https://www.ssrc.org/about-us/employment/ 

The Social Science Research Council is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are dedicated to equal employment opportunity and to cultivating and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. SSRC maintains a policy of non-discrimination with all employees and applicants for employment. All aspects of employment with the Council are made on the basis of competence, skill and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, creed, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin/ancestry, ethnicity, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital or domestic partner status, medical conditions (including pregnancy and/or genetic information) or physical or mental disability, citizenship status or any other categories prohibited by law.