Call for a Researcher on North Africa and Middle East, CIDOB

Start date:

CIDOB is a think tank for international affairs that seeks to analyse global issues that affect political, social and governance dynamics, from the international to the local level. As a recognised independent institution, CIDOB pursues excellence and rigour in its analysis, publications and projects. 

Its aims to be a useful tool for society, to ensure open access to knowledge and to promote the study of international issues that affect citizens’ daily lives. CIDOB seeks the relevance and social impact of its research and attends to public institutions’ needs and requests for international information, aiming to influence decision-making processes and provide complementary views.

CIDOB promotes innovation in the analysis of global politics, with the aim of transcending classical international relations structures and considering the growing impact of global phenomena on local realities and vice versa.

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE TASKS

CIDOB opens a call to hire a researcher for its area of the North Africa and Middle East to work on the European project SHAPEDEM-EU, on CIDOB's own research, and other research tasks in the area. The successful candidate will participate in research related to internal and regional dynamics, the emergence of new actors and political and social transformations, relations between the region and the European Union, the promotion of democracy and the rule of law and the leading role of this region in global geopolitics, among others. 

PROFILE

  • Master’s degree, in human or social sciences, with a specialisation in the field of international relations, is required.  A PhD would an advantage.

  • At least five years of experience in the research field, in a think tank or in the public sector in the field of North Africa and the Middle East, ideally in an international environment.

  • Experience in designing methodology and conducting research oriented in public policies.

  • Demonstrated experience in writing high quality opinion articles, reports and academic articles, policy recommendations, as well as coordinating and editing reports and other publications.

  • Experience in conceptualising and organising workshops, conferences, and other public events, both face-to-face and online.

  • Proven experience in political and academic debates in the region.

  • Extensive research skills and ability to translate research results into policy. 

  • Excellent level of spoken and written English and Spanish. Knowledge of Catalan and other languages would be an asset.

  • Strong communication and public speaking skills.

  • Project and event management skills and the ability to deliver to tight deadlines.

  • Ability to work independently and cooperatively with a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Collaborate in the implementation of the European project SHAPEDEM-EU (Rethinking and Reshaping the EU's democracy support in its Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood) until the end of the project in September 2025. 

  • Develop and design the research agenda on the area of North Africa and the Middle East.

  • Research and writing of public policy reports, opinions and academic articles.

  • Initiative in the implementation and organisation of activities and events. 

  • Representation of CIDOB in external meetings, conferences and seminars.

  • Participate in the media and in the dissemination of research.

  • Maintaining and developing partnerships with experts, policy makers, and networks in Europe, regionally and internationally.

  • Participate in the preparation and implementation of applied research projects.

CONDITIONS 

Contractual conditions: Permanent contract, preferably full-time. 

People from states other than those of the European Union must provide a residence and work permit, in accordance with current regulations. 

Remuneration: In accordancewith experience and category established in the Collective Agreement of CIDOB.

Location: Barcelona 

Benefits:

  • 51 calendar days of vacation per year.

  • Intensive summer schedule.

  • Opportunity to work remotely up to 2 days a week.

  • Supplementary benefits in case of temporary disability.

  • Conciliation permits.

  • Up to 4 additional days off per long weekend and days off based on the work calendar.

Foreseen starting date: As soon as possible.

PROCEDURE

Send a cover letter detailing your interest in the position (max. 2 pages), a CV (max. 4 pages) and a recent academic article (as a single author) to the email address seleccio@cidob.org , with "MENA Researcher" in the subject line of the message.

Deadline for submitting applications:  12th January 2025. 

After the evaluation, CIDOB will ask the selected candidate to provide a copy of their academic degrees.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process follows the spirit of the principles detailed in the European Charter for Researchers and  the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission.

The evaluation of the applications will be carried out in two phases: 1) Pre-selection of the applications on the basis of their Curriculum Vitae, cover letter and academic article. Candidates with the most suitable profile for the position will be selected, based on their training and studies, formal and informal qualifications, research experience in the related field and accredited language level; 2) Interview phase. The Evaluation Committee will assess the specific skills and knowledge of the candidates, as well as the suitability of the candidates for the research group and the centre. The ratings will be scored from 0 to 10, detailing strengths and weaknesses. 

The Evaluation Committee is the body responsible for presenting a proposal of selection and shall be composed of three CIDOB members with complementary profiles. The Committee will guarantee gender balance of its members. The body will be composed of:

  • Management position

  • Research coordination

  • Member of the research team

The proposed resolution of the call falls on the Evaluation Committee, which will prioritise the candidate(s) with the best score after a process of joint deliberation on the finalist candidates. Based on the proposal, CIDOB Direction will evaluate the candidature(s) and award the place to the best placed candidate.

The results of the selection process will be communicated to the applicants at the end of January 2025.

Applicants can submit allegations or request more information about their evaluation during the 10 days following the resolution of the process through the email: seleccio@cidob.org

PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA

Candidates' data will be processed to manage the selection process. The entity responsible for the processing is the Centre d’Informació i Documentació Internacionals a Barcelona (CIDOB). The legal basis for the processing of your data is the execution of the contract, including pre-contractual measures.

The processing of your data will be carried out within the territory of the European Union. Your data will not be communicated to third parties, except those derived from CIDOB's legal or contractual obligations, nor will individual automated decisions be made, including profiling. In case you are not selected, your data and CV will be destroyed within a maximum period of 6 months after the end of the hiring process.

For more information or to exercise your rights of access, rectification, deletion, opposition, limitation, or portability of your personal data, you must send a request to the attention of the Data Protection Officer, C/ Elisabets 12, 08001 Barcelona or by email to dpd@cidob.org.