Vacancy at the Social Watch International Secretariat

POSITION Senior Research Associate
LOCATION The Social Watch International Secretariat is located in Montevideo, Uruguay, and is based at the Third World Institute (ITeM)
DEADLINE December 12, 2008

Social Watch (SW) is an international network of citizens’ organizations working to eradicate poverty and the causes of poverty, to ensure an equitable distribution of wealth and to realize human rights for all people. It is committed to social, economic and gender justice.

A network with members in over 60 countries around the world, SW seeks to hold governments, the UN system and international organizations accountable for the fulfillment of national, regional and international commitments to eradicate poverty. The main tool for this objective is the Social Watch Annual Report, a citizens’ global progress report, published annually since 1996. A premiere publication, it brings together information to track progress in the struggle against poverty in countries around the world. This information is gathered from a wide array of sources including official statistics and grassroots reporting by SW affiliates in various countries. The information is widely used for policy advocacy, grass roots mobilization, and to inform social movements and strategies for change.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Senior Research Associate will develop and implement a researcher strategy to contribute with its findings to the Social Watch Annual Report and advocacy activities. The job will involve staying current with the international poverty and gender debate and integrating a grassroots perspective in a form which is methodologically sound and can be an effective tool for advocacy. The job entails working closely with member organizations to pose relevant questions, and collect and analyze multiple sources of information to track trends. The Director helps build the capacity of member organizations in the collection and analysis of data and strategizes on ways to disseminate and use research findings for advocacy at all levels. The work includes supervising the elaboration of existing indices - the Gender Equity Index and the Basic Capabilities Index - as well as the potential generation of new indicators. The incumbent will be involved in overall strategic thinking to strengthen the Social Watch Network, develop capacity-building workshops, and actively participate in global forums around issues of international poverty and gender, their causes and strategies for change.

The Senior Research Associate will be expected to
Organize, manage and lead the Social Science research activities at the SW Secretariat;
Bring an understanding of international debates around issues of poverty and gender to the Social Watch network;
Oversee compilation and analysis of information from multiple sources to produce relevant data tables for the SW Annual Report, related research findings and the website database;
Work closely with national affiliates to enhance the quality of national contributions and information gathering activities;
Communicate and work closely with national platforms to enhance the quality of the Report, developing capacity-building workshops, etc.;
Interface and work closely with Annual Report editing and production;
Actively bring the Social Watch perspective to international debates around issues of poverty, gender, the causes of inequality and strategies for change.

SKILLS

Broad knowledge of development issues and development related statistics, with focus on poverty and gender;
Statistical skills with ability to track and measure change in economic and social conditions; knowledge of statistical software;
Sensitivity to diverse ways of working to achieve goals;
Critical thinking and creativity regarding methodology;
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, institutional partners, and others;
Experience in directing trainings and capacity building activities;
Managerial competence;
Good people skills and ability to work with others under pressure.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Ph.D. in Sociology or related fields familiarity with poverty and gender related research. (Experience working with international databases and statistics will be appreciated.)
Grassroots and developing world experience, a background of advocacy, working with social movements, using information to build organizational capacity and inform strategies for social change.
Fluency in English (Spanish and French speaking ability is desired.)

TERMS

Salary commensurate with experience. The position includes health insurance. Support will be provided for transfer to Montevideo if necessary.
Opportunity to play a significant role in global efforts to advance social justice, poverty eradication and gender equality.
Opportunity to influence the development of Social Watch priorities and strengthening of civil society networks worldwide.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in applying, please send the following:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter describing your interest in the position and relevant background

Women and persons from developing countries are encouraged to apply.

IMPORTANT: Your application must be sent before December 12, 2008 and must be addressed to:
Social Watch
Fax: +598 2 411 9222 or
E-mail: swreport@socialwatch.org

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