Program Director, MENA

Job Description

This position is being re-advertised. Previous applicants need not re-apply.

Role:

Crisis Group is looking for a senior, well respected Middle East expert to oversee all our work in the Middle East & Northern Africa (MENA) Program. The Program Director leads on research, analysis, policy prescription and advocacy activities on MENA. The Director engage will explain and advocate Crisis Group analysis and recommendations to national and foreign governments, warring parties, non-governmental organisations, international organisations, and the media. The Director will have overall responsibility for approximately 20 staff members spread across sub-regional projects. As a member of the Program Directors Group, this role is also a key contributor to the overall management and strategic direction of Crisis Group. We prefer for the role to be based in or close to the MENA region.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise and lead a team ensuring that their performance is effective and efficient, and occurs in a collaborative, and positive context;
• Establish and implement a conflict-focused research and advocacy agenda, in close collaboration with relevant colleagues, designed to contribute to the objectives of conflict prevention, containment and resolution in the region;
• Coordinate and supervise the analysis and field-based research necessary to produce high-quality reports and briefings on crisis situations over the course of the year that are produced to mutually agreed time lines;
• Work closely with representatives of governments and international and local organisations in gathering information, seeking input and feedback, and supporting the distribution of Crisis Group’s publications;
• Maintain and extend the advocacy program in and on (countries in) the region, optimising advocacy efforts linked to the publication of the reports and other materials, with the objective of promoting the adoption of Crisis Group’s policy recommendations by concerned actors;
• Work with the Communications unit to maximise the Program’s public and private impact through writing and other communications means;
• Make sure that the security risks of staff are reduced to a minimum by establishing and maintaining relevant security protocols and make sure that the protocols are being followed and staff and consultants receive proper briefings on Crisis Group’s Security Framework; and
• Support fundraising efforts with selected government and private donors through meetings and other outreach, with the assistance of the development team.

Requirements:

• PhD or Master’s degree in international relations, political science, law, journalism, sociology or equivalent through experience;
• 20+ years professional experience in conflict analysis, journalism, NGO, international organisations or government work related to and experience in the MENA region;
• Excellent knowledge of regional politics, conflicts and societies, and extensive contacts with governmental and non-governmental officials, the media, and local and international civil-society organisations working in the region;
• Expertise covering governance issues, security-sector reform and institution-building;
• Excellent writing, editing and analytical skills, and ability to formulate well-targeted policy recommendations;
• Very strong interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent public presentation skills, a very strong capacity for effective teamwork and proven experience in a supervisory role;
• Experience communicating with the public through speaking, writing and social media;
• Experience supervising a team of staff who work around the world;
• Fluency in English and Arabic (oral and written);
• Extensive travel is required.

Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted on a rolling basis, and the process will close once a suitable candidate has been identified.