Research Fellow: The West Africa Peace and Security Network (WAPSN): From Network Partnerships to Impact, Innovation and Income

Vacancy Description

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

School of Area Studies, History, Politics and Literature

Research Fellow

Employment type: Fixed-term contract for 18 months

Employment basis: Full-time

Salary: £35,845 – £39,152 per annum 

Post number: ZZ006142

Date published: 26 March 2020
Closing date: 18 April 2020

Interview date: 05 May 2020

The University of Portsmouth is a dynamic and ambitious institution with a track record of success. One of only four universities in the south east of England to achieve a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework, it is also ranked 21st in the 2020 Guardian League Table University Guide, and 113th in the Times Higher Young University World Rankings.

The University of Portsmouth is looking for an exceptional candidate to join us as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow specialising in West African security. With support from established academics, you will be responsible for pursuing your own research agenda on West African Security, applying for research funding (both for group projects and individual funding) and promoting the University of Portsmouth at external events. We would particularly welcome specialists on Security and Development in the Sahel region.

You will work with the Principal Investigators to support a Faculty Strategic Project entitled ‘The West Africa Peace and Security Network (WAPSN): From Network Partnerships to Impact, Innovation and Income’. The West Africa Peace and Security Network was established in 2014 by colleagues at University of Portsmouth in collaboration with a team of senior academics across West Africa and beyond. It is one of the most prominent international research networks focused on West African Security.

The post holder will be responsible for raising the University’s profile in the field of peace, conflict and security through our WAPSN activities, organising national and international workshops and summer schools, maintaining our website and social media presence and developing strong working partnerships with policy makers (e.g. with Government, civil society etc).

For an informal discussion please contact Melita Lazell, via email melita.lazell@port.ac.uk

Please note that Non-EEA applicants can be considered for positions that have been advertised for less than 28 days unless they are currently living outside of the UK or a current Tier 2 visa holder in a different profession or at a different employer.  The post must meet the minimum skills and salary requirements as set out in the UKVI immigration rules.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons and all appointments will be made on merit. As we are committed to the principles of the Race Equality Charter Mark, we would particularly welcome applications from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community who are currently under-represented at this level in this area.

For detailed information about University of Portsmouth, please select this link: Working at Portsmouth

Update on Central African Republic

According to RFI, the security situation in Central African Republic continues to deteriorate. The number of victims and internally displaced people increases constantly. However, according to an International Crisis Group report, local initiatives give a glimmer of hope. Humanitarian aid has improved, some ex-combatants have become motorbike taxi drivers. Stabilising the country of 622,000 square kilometers outside Bangui still remains a difficult task. The numbers of soldiers, gendarmes and policemen outside the capital remain insufficient and the deployed soldiers rely heavily on MINUSCA for logistics.