Department: Enough Project, Policy team
Contract Manager: Associate Director of Policy
Role classification: Contractor/consultant
Term: 6 months
Location: Any
Summary
The Senior Consultant on the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will be responsible for researching, investigating, and writing about the drivers of conflict and high-level corruption, focusing on conflict financing in eastern Congo. The role will require significant research in the DRC and the Great Lakes region, and particular focus areas of the research will include conflict gold and other resources, and other key dynamics of peace and conflict. The Senior Consultant will also focus on related U.S. government, corporate, and international policy for the Enough Project’s policy reports, communications, and advocacy efforts. This is a role that requires three main areas of expertise: field-based knowledge about the economic, security, and political dynamics in the DRC and the region, particularly on conflict gold and other resources that fund armed actors; policy acumen, particularly regarding U.S. and multilateral policy in Africa and on countering conflict financing; and a demonstrated ability to write concise policy reports and briefing papers.
Deliverables and timelines will be established in consultation with the contractor through the development of contract scope.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct original research, investigations, and policy analysis on the dynamics, particularly financial and economic, of conflict and peace in the DRC and the Great Lakes region of Africa. Key focus areas will include conflict gold and other conflict resources, the system of violence and corruption in Congo, with a focus on eastern Congo, as well as regional political economy, political, and security dynamics. The research will take place in the DRC and Great Lakes region and possibly trading hubs for illicit resources.
- Work collaboratively to set a research agenda for the subject, and author, co-author, and edit policy reports, memos, op-eds, and other documents on the subjects.
- Help formulate original policy recommendations and encourage adoption by senior policymakers in the U.S. government and also by the private sector that use minerals from Congo, as well as other influential governmental actors such as Belgium and the E.U., the African Union, the United Nations, and to other bodies ranging from the OECD to the London Bullion Market Association to other multi-stakeholder institutions.
- Build relationships with officials in the aforementioned policy target governments and institutions in order to gather timely information for conflict analysis and report writing. Expand Enough’s network of contacts within the policy community and deepen Enough’s relationships with policymakers and influential actors in the United States and overseas.
- Work in consultation with the Policy, Advocacy, and Communications teams to plan, develop, and contribute regular content that is dynamic, original, thoroughly grounded in policy expertise, and accessible to a broad audience.
- Work with the communications team to engage with relevant, influential media in pitching stories, responding to press queries, giving interviews, and rapidly responding to news cycle opportunities.
- Assist the Advocacy team to help shape subject-related campaign messaging.
- Contribute dynamic, original, and accessible content for op-eds for outside publications, the Enough blog, and websites on a regular basis.
- Review fundraising materials and reports to donors.
- Other duties as mutually agreed.
Requirements and qualifications:
- Demonstrated knowledge of the ways in which armed actors in the DRC generate revenue and of the financial and economic networks which they are a part of, and knowledge of political, economic, and security dynamics and conflict resources in eastern DRC and the region and an ability to provide concise in-depth analysis and write professionally on the issue areas.
- At least one year of field experience in the DRC.
- Professional proficiency in French.
- Significant experience traveling and doing research in a conflict zone.
- Proven ability to conduct policy research and a strong understanding of policymaking issues and the policy community and the implications of various advocacy and policy approaches, particularly U.S. government policy, including sanctions policy, accountability, Dodd-Frank 1502 and other conflict minerals reforms, and other policy responses to counter conflict financing. An understanding of the ICGLR minerals certification process, the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, and similar initiatives is preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree and at least 4-6 years of post-university working experience.
- Strong academic background or work experience in the financing of conflict, targeted sanctions policy, forensic investigations, journalism, the prevention of atrocities, human rights, illicit natural resource trade, and/or conflict resolution.
- Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication.
- Some experience giving interviews and interacting with the media.
- Adept team player with good interpersonal skills.
- A strong commitment to human rights and conflict resolution and to Enough’s mission to end genocide and mass atrocities.
- Superb organization and time-management skills, including the ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
- Ability to keep calm and work in a fast-paced environment, and good humor and general problem-solving skills.
Preferred:
- Fluency in French preferred.
- Master’s degree strongly preferred.
- Background in investigative journalism a plus but not required.
HOW TO APPLY:
To Apply:
Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@enoughproject.org. Please reference the title of the position to which you are applying in the email subject line.
New Venture Fund Careers
Enough is a project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. The New Venture Fund is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. The New Venture Fund's work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of races, ethnicities, national origins, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, beliefs, religions, faiths and ideologies, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and levels of physical ability.
