BICC is an independent, non-profit organization that has been dealing with a wide range of global issues in the field of peace and conflict research for more than 20 years. BICC stands for critical, problem-oriented, policy relevant research and conducts also advisory and capacity development projects on behalf of government and civil society partners, international development agencies and scientific foundations.

Important topics in BICC’s interdisciplinary work are small arms and light weapons (SALW) control in post-conflict settings.

An international team has been working in a project to control SALW and to implement PSSM, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, since 2016. The team provides advice to the African Union peace and security department (PSD) as well as the small arms and light weapons division of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In East Africa, we closely cooperate with the Regional Centre on Small Arms (RECSA). The project is closely connected to the topics of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and security sector reform (SSR). In its work, BICC is also deliberately focussing on a combination of science and research with advisory activities and practice, resulting in a ‘knowledge circle’.

For this project, BICC is looking for a

Junior Advisor in the Field of Small Arms
 and Light Weapons Control (SALW)

Full time / TV-L 13 / at the earliest possible date until Dec. 2020 (initial contract duration)

Currently two Junior Advisors are already working in the project. The positions are designed to provide a career-oriented introduction to the field of SALW control including physical security and stockpile management (PSSM). The junior advisors support the conceptualization, organization and implementation of project activities in East- and West-Africa which focus on capacity development and advice. Besides working at the duty station in Bonn, Germany, the Junior Advisors are sent on short-term assignments to our national and international partner organizations. The junior advisors moreover attend relevant training courses and have the chance to get to know the relevant work of the German Foreign Office.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Provide content and administrative support to the programme management in Bonn and to the advisors in the field;
• Gain an expert’s knowledge in SALW-control and relate it to policy advice as well as to research tasks;
• Familiarize yourself with the work of our national and international partner organizations in the field of SALW control and particular of PSSM;
• Assist in conceptualizing, organizing and implementing sub-regional and regional SALW control project activities (Trainings, Sensitization Workshops, Assessment Missions etc.) in various project locations and in Germany;
• Assist in organizing (high-level) events on SALW control. Under close supervision, support other project activities (e.g. PSSM assessments) in different locations (Sahel region, West Africa, East Africa) and in close cooperation with our national and regional partner organisations;
• Participate in relevant training courses.

Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences or related fields, preferably with a focus on peace and conflict studies, security studies or development co-operation;
• Proven interest in conflict resolution and research and/or development co-operation or SALW control;
• First work experience (e.g. gained through internships) in development and/or international organizations and/or research institutions focusing on conflict-/security-related topics; international experience is an asset;
• Ability to work in a team; cultural and context sensitivity;
• Good communication and writing skills;
• Willingness to travel to tropical regions, including remote locations;
• Language skills including excellent spoken and written English; good working knowledge of French is an asset; fluency in German is mandatory;
• Fitness for service in tropical countries.

What we offer:

This position is initially limited until December 2020. Payment follows the collective wage agreement for the public service of the Länder (TV-L), wage group 13 and includes social benefits customary at BICC.

We put great emphasis on the further training of our staff and offer candidates the chance to work in an international research institute at the nexus of research and policy advice that provides the interdisciplinary team with opportunities to network with policymakers and in the international academic context. The BICC team is recruited from a variety of countries; the working language is English.

BICC supports the work-life balance of its staff through a highly flexible work time system and is an equal opportunity employer.

How to apply:

Please send your application to Mrs. Susanna Balkenhol (application@bicc.de) solely by email. It should include a cover letter, CV (please use the Europass CV (europass.cedefop.europa.eu)) and certificates and consist of one pdf, max. 5 MB. Please indicate “11_19” in the reference line. Mrs Balkenhol will also be available for questions.

Applications will be reviewed immediately after reception. Therefore, interviews can take place at any time.

Date of publication: 29 July 2019

bicc \ Internationales Konversionszentrum Bonn \ Bonn International Center for Conversion GmbH
Pfarrer-Byns-Straße 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany, +49 (0)228 911 96-0, Fax -22, bicc@bicc.de, www.bicc.de