The Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) is an exciting non-profit global research organisation dedicated to shifting the world’s focus to peace as a positive, achievable, and tangible measure of human well-being and progress.

Rated as one of the world’s most impactful think tanks by size its work is used and widely cited by many of the leading organisations in the world including UN, OECD and the World Bank. It also has an existing global consulting practice, performing work for many of the leading multi-lateral organisations and government departments globally.

IEP main products - the Global Peace Index and Global Terrorism Index - receive billions of media impressions per annum and are considered the leading products in the world in their field. The Institute’s core research products are used in thousands of universities courses and with partners conducting training courses in countries such as Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Mexico or Uganda. The Institute’s research is regularly featured in leading international media publications including the Guardian, the Economist, Huffington Post, Washington Post, CNN, and BBC.

Other leading organisations that the Institute partners with include Economist Intelligence Unit, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Rotary International, International Chamber of Commerce, the Club de Madrid, the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC) and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Research Fellow Role

The Research Fellow will have a track record of conducting quantitative research in one or more of the fields of social sciences, development studies, statistics, economics, and peace and conflict studies. They will have a good understanding of current debates in development, peace and conflict studies, and in relevant international forums.

The Research Fellow will conduct research on a wide range of topics including IEP’s Global Peace Index, Positive Peace research, peace economics, development studies, and peace and conflict studies. Some experience or knowledge of systems thinking, complexity thinking, or systems engineering as well as familiarly with quantitative risk modelling would be highly desired. Ideal candidates will have a deep interest in big picture questions around peace and development, be open-minded to multidisciplinary approaches in the social sciences and are well travelled.

Selection criteria and desired previous experience

1. Master’s degree in a combination of economics and/or statistics, development studies, international relations or other social sciences discipline. Combined actuarial studies would be of particular interest.
2. Two years professional experience conducting empirical research and quantitative data analysis specifically related to a combination of social sciences, development studies, economics, statistics and peace and conflict studies.
3. Excellent writing skills.
4. Commercial experience would be highly advantageous.
5. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
6. Experience handling large datasets and for statistical analysis.
7. Ability to write code in R (or other statistical software/programming language) is highly advantageous.
8. Can work with minimal supervision.
9. Experience working in risk analysis/actuarial studies would be advantageous.

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Contribute to conceptual research on how to measure and quantify the factors that create more peaceful societies and the economic benefits of peace.
• Analyse data to develop new conceptual frameworks to generate evidence that can influence policy.
• Collect, assemble, and maintain datasets for quantitative peace and conflict research within R and Microsoft Excel.
• Write a diversity of IEP research reports, briefing memos, summaries of journal articles, books, blogs and news articles.
• Organise large datasets; write code in R; present results of empirical analysis in interesting and easy to understand table and graphical formats to complement published IEP material. Visualise data in interesting and efficient ways.
• Collect and analyse information from a wide variety of sources; monitor relevant material from conferences and seminars, government and intergovernmental documents, academic journals, institutional databases, relevant civil society organisations and NGOs.
• Attend international conferences and seminars as required.

 Desired personal qualities 

• Excellent attention to detail and solution oriented.
• Good mathematical skills
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure with discretion and judgment.
• Deeply committed and interested in peace and development.

Location: This position is based at IEP headquarters, Sydney Australia. Candidates from outside of Australia will be considered to fill this position. 

Hours: This is a full time position.

Remuneration: The research fellow remuneration package will be commensurate with experience.

Applications to:  CV and cover letter addressing the selection criteria and desired personal qualities to jobs@economicsandpeace.org

Deadline for applications: 22 June 2017

Website: www.economicsandpeace.org, www.visionofhumanity.org