Job Title: Research and Policy Analysis - Africa Economic Transformation
Location: Nairobi Contract: One-year renewable Responsible
To: Director JCAM Justice and Ecology Office (JEO) Working language: English (a knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an advantage)
Start date: January 2022 Salary: Negotiable
JENA’S VISION
The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network – Africa (JENA)’s strategic intent for 2022-23 is to position itself as a ‘think and do tank’ working as part of the global movement for sustainable global solutions to eradicate the injustice of poverty in Africa and to protect the planet. As we attempt to build back better in the wake of COVID-19 and in a changing context in Africa and globally, JENA plans to effectively position itself in relation to the changing and widening African development agenda. JENA will continue to engage the issues identified in the strategy as well as pay attention to emerging issues of injustice that plague Africa. The COVID-19 crisis has opened our eyes to deeper underlying injustices that create poverty and need to be attended to if we are to prepare a better future of our world that is healthier and more just.
ABOUT THE POSITION
In pursuit of this agenda, JENA is looking to add a new research and policy analyst to specialize in the Africa Structural Transformation agenda and Africa economic development policy more broadly and with specific focus on the situation of youth and women. For the last 30 years, Africa has relied on externally driven development driven by neoliberal approaches characterised by liberalisation, privatisation and wooing of foreign capital. COVID-19 has taught Africa to recognise its local wealth and the need for Africa to create local systems, local processes and exploit the vast human capital to unlock its development. Africa needs to take advantage of its comparative advantage and say no when need be. Africa has abundant land and natural resources and a young workforce that it can leverage to achieve a global competitive advantage and a great asset in driving structural and economic transformation. By 2050 Sub-Saharan Africa will have a larger and younger workforce than China or India. This transformation will come through diversifying Africa's economies, boosting its competitiveness in world markets, increasing its shares of manufacturing in GDP, and developing more sophisticated technology in production. This is crucial for the eradication of the deep poverty Africa is currently experiencing.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The research and policy analyst will help JENA meet the high demand for quantitative and qualitative insights into the African economy and the broad applications of the Africa development policy. The position offers aspiring development professionals an exceptional opportunity to elevate their stature and advance their careers in a high visibility work area. The analyst reports to JCAM Justice and Ecology Office (JEO) Director and will work alongside other research and policy analysts. The position will interface closely with JENA’s impact, Africa development policy, and teams as well. The position can be tailored to the strengths and experience of the successful candidate. The ideal candidate will combine significant quantitative experience in processing large datasets with a background in economic development theory, policy, and practice. Successful candidates should have background familiarity with and interest in the Africa Structural Transformation Agenda as well as JENA’s broader workstreams. They should understand how this economic development tool fits into the bigger picture, which for us is helping more places and the people in them forge a more prosperous future. Specific envisioned responsibilities include identifying new sources of data and insights; conducting novel analyses with that data; creating new data products and visualizations; identifying and chronicling emerging best practices; writing data and policy blogs, briefs, and reports; furthering the knowledge on Africa Structural Transformation with social justice perspectives through a variety of content channels in coordination with others at JENA and in partner organisations. In addition, success in the role requires being attuned to the broader political environment and the ability to understand and internalise complex issues like international trade, regional integration and cooperation, international tax law quickly and accurately. JENA’s analysts are deeply involved in all aspects of creating and communicating research products. Self-direction, initiative, and creativity are key to success. Candidates with well-rounded backgrounds in economic development, entrepreneurship, urban studies, and applicable economic and fiscal policy areas are encouraged to apply. Direct policy experience in local, county, or federal government is also welcome.
Objectives:
• Contribute to the overarching values, priorities, and goals of JENA to support recovery in sub-Saharan Africa
• Highlight JENA’s work to promote human dignity and human rights as guided by Catholic Social Teaching and the Jesuit Universal Apostolic Preferences
• Monitor and analyse sub-Saharan Africa policy developments and their impact on Africa structural transformation
• Support JENA member organisations (MOs) in their advocacy work at national level and regional level
• Raise African action for justice in international space for global justice
• Facilitate one of JENA’s Advocacy Working Groups • Contribute to the JENA training events
• Contribute to the JENA communication work
• Contributes to the design, implementation and evaluation of JENA programmes and projects
Approximate Time Allocation to Key Tasks
The Research and Policy Analyst will perform the following duties (percentages are approximate):
40% Quantitative and qualitative economic and public policy research:
• Draw on a deep knowledge of Africa structural transformation and economic development theory, policy, and practice, to inform JENA’s research and policy products.
• Manage, process, and analyse large datasets. Deep familiarity with the functioning of the Kenya Statistics Bureau is required and familiarity with other African Bureaus of Statistics resources is preferred.
• Research state and AU policies relevant to core JENA issue areas.
• Stay immersed in the public discourse and scholarly research across all relevant fields to ensure that JENA research and analysis remains on the cutting edge.
30% Research and policy writing:
• Write reports, policy memos, briefs, and handbooks for key audiences that translate data insights into actionable policy recommendations.
• Independently devise and author incisive short pieces in JENA’s core issue areas. • Draft persuasive pieces such as op-eds or essays in JENA’s core issue areas.
• Synthesize JENA’s research and policy insights into products tailored to different audiences.
15% Economic data visualization: • Utilize mapping and data visualization software to bring data to life. • Knowledge of new software and capabilities as needed.
15% Outreach and network management:
• Liaise directly with the relevant UNECA, AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) institutions and staff, state government officials, and local government representatives to share JENA data and insights and feed back into JENA’s key issues and concerns facing public leaders and African economic development agenda.
• Present to external audiences on behalf of JENA and represent the organization at conferences and other venues. • Respond to stakeholder and media requests for data and information as needed. JENA is committed to offering its team members an unparalleled platform to learn, grow, and build their professional networks. As a high-impact, highly-networked organization, JENA offers the opportunity to shape public policy in real time—on behalf of the people and places of Africa.
Qualifications
• Master’s degree in relevant field (for example economics, public policy, development studies, urban/rural studies).
• At least 3-5 years prior work experience in a related field; position can be adapted for interested candidates with more experience.
• Demonstrated professional expertise in JENA’s core issue areas.
• Demonstrated interest in African Economic and Structural Transformation and familiarity with the law and associated policy and regulations.
• Demonstrated fluency in methods of both quantitative and qualitative analysis. • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Keen attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrated knack for visualizing data and information in a variety of different formats; sound design skills preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in and familiarity with the policymaking process. Can be gained through prior work experience in the federal government of Kenya or in state or local government. • Entrepreneurial spirit and desire to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-motivated, self-directed, creative, organized, and deeply committed to personal and organizational excellence.
• Commitment to overall JCAM’s and JENA’s objectives
• Be familiar with the JCAM and JENA’s objectives and align work to achieving them.
• Implement other JCAM/JEO/JENA strategic objectives pertaining to communication, gender, and child protection.
Essential
• Willingness to commit to JCAM Safeguarding Policy (available on JCAM website) and undergo a police background check. Desirable
• A close knowledge of the structures of the Catholic Church
How to apply
Application letters, Curriculum Vitae (CV), photocopies of Academic Certificates, National Identity Cards or Passports, and a short sample writing (maximum 1,000 words on a related topic. See: https://www.jenaafrica.org/) should be mailed or emailed to the Executive Assistant to the President (socius@jesuits.africa) on or before Thursday, 30 December 2021, at noon. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.