Application: Peace Researcher
Women PeaceMakers Program
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice
Kroc School of Peace Studies
University of San Diego
California, USA
September 25 – November 17, 2017
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
June 30, 2017
Peace Researchers work together with Women PeaceMakers to map the methods used and challenges faced in conflict contexts around the globe. For 2017-18, the focus of the program is on local and global peacebuilders’ engagement with the security sector.
Each Peace Researcher will interview, on a nearly daily basis for seven weeks, two peacemakers in residence at the IPJ. Based on those interviews, researchers will produce two case studies, one based on each of their peacemakers’ conflict situations. The case studies will inform a synthesized report that offers a gendered analysis of women-led approaches to the annually selected peacebuilding issue.
In addition to their interviews with Women PeaceMakers, Peace Researchers will work in conjunction with a faculty fellow and staff of the Institute for Peace and Justice to produce the case studies.
OVERVIEW OF 2017 PROGRAM
Please read thoroughly before applying
The Women PeaceMakers program offers a unique fellowship program for women building peace in their communities to participate in an active learning community. The aim of the Women PeaceMakers program is to build stronger, more effective collaborations between peacebuilders from conflict-affected communities and international peace partners. This will be a 10-month fellowship to explore successes and challenges to their work ending cycles of violence.
Each year, four Women PeaceMakers are selected and paired with four international partners to establish a community of practice that continues beyond the program itself. The Women PeaceMakers program uses reflective practice to build mutual learning and stronger collaboration between “insiders” and “outsiders” (local peacebuilders from conflict-affected communities, and peacebuilders from elsewhere who are trying to support efforts to end the conflict).
Additionally, during each PeaceMaker’s time in San Diego, she will work closely with a Peace Researcher, who will document her peacebuilding journey, and specifically, how she engages the security sector.
The Women PeaceMakers program is based at the Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ) at the University of San Diego’s Kroc School of Peace Studies. To learn more about the history of the Women PeaceMakers program, please visit:
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2017-18 Focus: Women PeaceMakers’ Engagement with the Security Sector
Each year, an urgent peacebuilding issue is identified and participants are selected based on their work in that area. During the 2017-18 academic year, the program will focus on Women PeaceMakers working with the local security sector (police, military and other state security forces) to advance peacebuilding, human security and women’s rights in pre-, during or post-conflict settings. The guiding question that the fellows will work on is:
How can Women PeaceMakers and international partners build more effective local-global collaborations in their peacebuilding efforts to engage the security sector?
Examples of civilian-led engagement with the security sector to ensure legal mechanisms are upheld and human rights are protected include the following:
●Efforts to enhance accountability (e.g., civilian-led reporting mechanisms and efforts to combat impunity);
●Facilitation of security sector reform (e.g., civilian-supported disarmament, demobilization and reintegration campaigns of certain military, police or militias);
●Building community-security partnerships;
●The work of former female combatants to reintegrate and rehabilitate fellow fighters.
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COMPONENTS OF THE FELLOWSHIP
Four Women PeaceMakers are selected for the 10-month fellowship. Each peacemaker is paired with an international partner and works with a Peace Researcher. The researcher’s role pertains only to the residency described below:
●Women PeaceMakers Residency (September 24 – November 11, 2017)
Location: Institute for Peace and Justice
Selected Women PeaceMakers participate in a 7-weekresidency at the University of San Diego. To complement the work peacemakers are doing with their international partners, they will:
oWork together with a Peace Researcher to map the methods used and challenges faced when engaging with the security sector.
oShare peacebuilding experiences with faculty, students and community members at the University of San Diego.
oLive with fellow Women PeaceMakers, while sharing with and learning from one another’s peacemaking journeys.
oCultivate a reflective peacebuilding practice in a safe and nurturing environment that promotes new learning and an authentic exchange of ideas.
QUALIFICATIONS/EXPECTATIONS
Peace Researchers will be selected through a competitive application process.
Qualifications
●Graduate degree, or current enrollment in a graduate or postgraduate program, related to peace studies, conflict resolution, human rights, international relations or gender studies.
●Outstanding writing skills.
●Demonstrated experience in qualitative research methods; familiarity with narrative inquiry and analysis, as well as semi-structured interviewing methods, preferred.
●Familiarity with the field of women, peace and security. Past research or publications related to the field is preferred.
●Experience conducting interviews in a cross-cultural setting. Applicants must be able to work closely with people for whom English is a second language.
●Must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively.
Institute staff members and a university faculty fellow will provide oversight to the Peace Researchers’ methods and analysis.
Peace Researchers will attend a 2-day orientation and training with the program staff on September 25-26. They will also remain one week following the residency.
Two researchers will interview the peacemakers and document:
-the context of the local conflict she works in;
-how the identified issue for that year (e.g., security sector engagement) plays out in that conflict;
-the strategy and methods peacemakers use to address that issue; and
-the challenges they face in doing so, in particular as they relate to international actors.
These findings will be published in a case study on each Woman PeaceMaker, and used to inform a synthesized report which will offer a gendered analysis of women-led approaches on this peacebuilding issue.
COMPENSATION
Peace Researchers will receive $5,000, less applicable taxes, over an 8-week period. Researchers are categorized as Independent Contractors of the University of San Diego. Researchers are fully responsible for finding lodging and transportation during their participation in the program, as well as providing their own computer/laptop. If driving onto campus, researchers will need to purchase university parking permits and show proof of insurance.
Peace Researchers will be supplied with MP3 recorders in order to conduct their interviews with Women PeaceMakers. They will also receive USD ID cards that provide a multitude of benefits, including full access to the university’s libraries and fitness centers.
A detailed schedule of deliverables and invoices will be provided prior to the beginning of the program and included in the Independent Contractor Agreement. If selected, researchers must provide tax ID or SSN for tax purposes.
Application: Peace Researcher
Women PeaceMakers Program
September 25 – November 17, 2017
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
June 30, 2017
In order for your application to be considered, it must be sent via email by
June 30, 2017.
If you choose to send your application by hard-copy, it must be postmarked by
June 30, 2017.
Applications must include:
- The completed and signed Application Form. (See below)
- An essay describing your interest in the Women PeaceMakers program and why you want to be a peace researcher. (No more than 2 pages)
- Two letters of reference.(At least one must be an academic reference)
- Resume or curriculum vitae.
- Writing samples.
- A sample of your analytic writing, on an issue relevant to peace studies, international relations, human rights or gender studies.
- A sample of your research methods, e.g., a past study proposal, the methods section of your dissertation or other example of qualitative methods developed as a student of a research methods course, or for a research publication.
SEND COMPLETED APPLICATION BY EMAIL OR POST TO:
Katie Zanoni
Program Officer for Women PeaceMakers
Email:
Mailing Address:
Katie Zanoni
Institute for Peace and Justice
Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies
University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
USA
If sending the full application via email, please scan and then email a completed and signed copy of the 2017 Application Form.
IMPORTANT: Your application will not be considered “complete” or reviewed until all materials are received.
Please keep a photocopy of your completed application for your records.
We will not be able to send back any of the materials we receive.
2017 Application Form
Peace Researcher
Women PeaceMakers Program
~ PAGE 1 ~
Date of Application:
CONTACT INFORMATION
Name of Applicant:
(Last Name)(First Name)(Middle)
Email Address:
Current Mailing Address:
(Street)(Unit or Apartment Number)
(Town/City)(State/Province)
(Country)(Postal Code)
Home Phone:
Mobile Phone:
Permanent Mailing Address (if different from above):
(Street)(Unit or Apartment Number)
(Town/City)(State/Province)
(Country)(Postal Code)
~ PAGE 2 ~
University Status
(e.g., graduate, master’s degree student, doctoral candidate, post-doctoral, etc.)
If not currently enrolled in a university, please provide current employment information. If accepted, will your current employment affect your commitment to the program?
Undergraduate School
(Name of School and Address)
(Degree/Major)(GPA)(Graduation Date)
Graduate and Post-Graduate Schools
(Name of School and Address)
(Degree/Major)(GPA)(Graduation Date)
(Thesis/Dissertation Title)
(Name of School and Address)
(Degree/Major)(GPA)(Graduation Date)
(Thesis/Dissertation Title)
~ PAGE 3 ~
Describe your international and/or intercultural experiences that might be relevant to this program.
Do you have experience as a qualitative researcher?
Do you have a background in the field of women, peace and security?
Do you speak more than one language? If so, please list the languages and levels of proficiency:
How did you hear about the Women PeaceMakers program?
If you are selected, are you able to satisfy the essential requirements of participation in the Women PeaceMakers program, with or without reasonable accommodation?
REFERENCES
Each individual that you list must submit a letter of reference by the application deadline.
Reference 1
Name:
Title and Organization:
In what capacity do you know the person providing your letter of reference?
Email Address:
Mailing Address:
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(Street)(Unit or Apartment Number)
(Town/City)(State/Province)
(Country)(Postal Code)
Phone:
Fax:
Reference 2
Name:
Title and Organization:
In what capacity do you know the person providing your letter of reference?
Email Address:
Mailing Address:
______
(Street)(Unit or Apartment Number)
(Town/City)(State/Province)
(Country)(Postal Code)
Phone:
Fax:
CERTIFICATION THAT MY ANSWERS ARE TRUE
My statements on this form and any of the attachments are true, complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that falsification of any of my answers will lead to the rejection of my application or immediate dismissal from the program.
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(Signature)
(Date)